A Dubbo coachbuilder's passion for vintage and classic cars has propelled him towards a once-in-a-lifetime professional opportunity to work with the world's best.
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Robert Siemsen is about to travel to the United Kingdom to further his understanding of the craft.
Mr Siemsen is one of 26 "curious people" from NSW who will venture overseas to seek out ideas and innovation, and bring them back home, thanks to the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.
The trust and its fellowships were established after Sir Winston Churchill's death in 1965, allowing recipients to form part of his living legacy and inspiring extraordinary thinking.
The magnitude of the opportunity is not lost on the coachbuilder who starting as a teen apprentice in Sydney, has dedicated half his life to the career.
"I got the news a couple of days ago and initially I was so overwhelmed and humbled by the trust," Mr Siemsen said.
By giving it to a tradesperson in general and a coachbuilder at that, it's pretty special they have awarded me this opportunity to go overseas.
- Coachbuilder Robert Siemsen
"By giving it to a tradesperson in general and a coachbuilder at that, it's pretty special they have awarded me this opportunity to go overseas."
Mr Siemsen, who works for Nugent Coachbuilders in Cobra Street, will have two months in the United Kingdom to immerse himself in the industry.
"The best production coachbuilders are in the West Midlands, so the likes of RS Panels and Shapecraft and Aston Martin Heritage Centre, companies like that is [what I have in mind]," he said.
Then it will be back to Australia, where he hopes to inspire a new generation, just as years ago he was encouraged by the example of Mark Nugent, who would later become his employer.
Mr Siemsen intends to visit TAFEs across NSW and show photos and share his experiences with young apprentices to "broaden their horizons".
As someone who endured the "hard slog" of an apprenticeship in Sydney, providing inspiration is important to the artisan.
"Long hours, really bad money, but it's all part of the bargain, and there's a light at the end of that tunnel," Mr Siemsen said.
"It's just a little bit hard to see when you're a second-year apprentice.
"So that's one thing I think I'll do when I come back.
"And also helping out the business here in Dubbo."
The city’s newest Churchill Fellow urged others in the region with a "curiosity" to apply.
"If you've been pursuing something, and you want to go overseas to pursue it more, fill in the application," Mr Siemsen said.
