If there is one thing Bella Turrise can do well, it is making the most of every opportunity that comes her way. Luckily for Bella, she has many talents and passions that have led her towards a rewarding and satisfying career path.
At just 25 years old, Bella Turrise has already made a name for herself in the automotive industry. While she has multiple awards to her credit and industry articles written about her, Bella’s grateful and humble nature belies these achievements and she attributes her growth to the many lessons she has learnt along the way.
With an inspirational mentor in industry veteran, Carl Tinsley, and a strong family network, Bella has the support to develop her skills as far as she is willing to take them.
Whether her skills are put to the test in international competitions, or in her everyday work, Bella takes challenges in her stride and thrives in new learning opportunities.
With a great attitude and a passion for spray painting, Bella is only just getting started.
Developing a passion
Bella is currently working at Schmick Scratch and Dent Assist in their mobile van as a vehicle spray painter. A welcome change from repairing in a workshop, Bella drives to customers’ houses and performs small repairs on wheels, plastic parts and panels
“It is great to be out of the workshop and get out and about,” Bella says.
“I love to see the end result of my work. But now that I’m in the job that I am, it is also about the customers. I love chatting to people and sharing my knowledge.”
Bella’s connection to her customers has furthered her passion for the industry.
“Customers that I go to often say that their children are interested in art, and I say that I was too and this is where I am. So maybe it might be right for them as well. I always tell them that it has changed my life for the better,” Bella says.
Family strength
It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Bella, but she credits her upbringing as a main motivator in achieving her goals.
With a self-described rough start to life, Bella was adopted at the age of three after being in and out of the foster care system.
“I got a great second chance with a new family. They brought us up the right way, gave us the opportunities we needed,” Bella says.
“I had support at every turn I took. They were great role models. They both worked, and drove, and looked after their home and belongings. It is great to see that growing up because it gives you the desire to want that for yourself one day.”
“My mum and dad gave me the drive to make the most of my life. I think I am doing okay so far.”
Industry cheerleaders
After completing school, Bella moved to Sydney to try out university, but quickly realised it wasn’t for her. After hearing about working in a trade from a friend, Bella tapped into her experience in an automotive class in high school, and decided to enrol in a TAFE course.
“For my automotive class at school I completely restored my grandfather’s old car. I got it up and running, and I gave it a total re-spray. There was all sorts that went on with it and it was a big achievement for me over the school year,” Bella says.
“I like hands-on learning, so doing a trade was a great option for me.”
Bella highlights the support from her TAFE teacher, Carl Tinsley, as a turning point for her love of the industry.
“Carl encouraged me to enter the WorldSkills Competition and everything really snowballed from there,” Bella says.
In 2022, Bella competed for Australia in the WorldSkills Competition in Denmark. Bella shared how the competition pushed her to encourage anyone in a trade to sign their names up and compete.
“I always tell people who are in a trade to ask around about the WorldSkills competition because it is the best experience and you gain so much from it personally and skills wise,” Bella says.
“The community involved is incredible. It was a life changer for me and it helped with my career a lot. Carl is a big part of that. He would offer it to everyone in class, the whole way through and it was up to us to take the opportunity. Not all the teachers do that though which is sad, because it is really good for the apprentices,” Bella says.
Not only did Bella have support from her teacher Carl Tinsley, and TAFE NSW, but her employers at the time, the AMA Group, threw their support behind her too.
“The AMA Group were amazing with their support. They gave me time off and helped to sponsor me. It was more than I could have ever asked for,” Bella says.
Bella expressed her gratitude at the amount of support she received early on in her career.
“When I started at my first shop, they were swapping over their paint systems to Glasurit products,” Bella says.
“The Glasurit team saw me, the only female in the workshop and we started chatting. I told them I wanted to paint my car and I asked whether they had any tips. I wasn’t expecting them to pay for it at all, but they did and they sponsored me to paint my car. I couldn’t believe it.”
The encouragement and willingness from the team at Glasurit, and her teachers at TAFE to see Bella succeed has propelled her desire to learn and grow.
“To be rewarded straight off the bat like that was so great. It was fantastic that they were willing to do that and promote me. Glasurit has been a big part of my trade journey, and they also supported me in the WorldSkills Competition,” Bella says.
“I’ve been really lucky so far. Every shop I have been in, feels like family.”
After completing her TAFE course, Bella has ensured she experiences a variety of different workplaces and cultures.
“I’ve worked in a few panel shops, I like to gain as much knowledge and experience as I can. I believe working it different environments is super beneficial,” Bella says.
As Bella’s work continues to evolve, she is constantly finding new ways to appreciate the trade.
“Schmick has online reviews, and it is a great feeling when you are mentioned by name. It is really nice to see that feedback.”
Life learnings
When Bella reflects on her story so far, she is happy that she followed her passions and paved her own way.
“I’m glad I did it for me and not because someone else wanted me to do it,” Bella says.
“It didn’t matter how discouraged I got along the way, it was something I wanted to do for me. If other people have problems about it that is on them, I’m not going to worry about it.”
Not one to shy away from stepping out of her comfort zone, Bella is moving to Canberra with Schmick where she will be the only technician. As the recent recipient of employee of the month in NSW for Schmick, Bella is excited to continue her work with the company.
“I’m just going to do my work and achieve what I can and see where I end up.”
