From Mauritius to Melbourne: Binesh’s Painting Success Story

A Fresh Start in Australia

When Binesh arrived in Melbourne from the beautiful island nation of Mauritius in 2020, he brought with him a passion for painting and a vision for a better life. While he had some personal painting experience back home—helping with renovations and household projects—he knew that to succeed professionally in Australia, he needed formal training and qualifications.

“I actually liked painting back in my country. When I was young, I was always doing some kind of renovations at home, and I really felt happy with the outcome” Binesh reflects. “That just made me feel like doing painting here as well and learning new skills about how to be more professional and more efficient.”

Within months of arriving, Binesh landed a position with Henley Homes, a prominent building firm, working as a painter and decorator. But he understood that practical experience alone wasn’t enough—he needed the credentials and skills to build a lasting career in Australia’s competitive construction industry.

The Orange College Journey

In 2020, Binesh enrolled in the Certificate III in Painting and Decorating at Orange College, balancing his studies with full-time work. His experience at Orange College proved transformative, providing him with the technical foundation and safety knowledge essential for professional success.

“My experience as a student at Orange College has really been positive,” Binesh shares. “The trainers were very supportive and welcoming. The college also provided good resources for students, including helpful study materials and assessments. Overall, I would recommend Orange College to other students who are looking for a supportive place to learn and grow.”

One trainer in particular made a lasting impact: Mark McGonagle. “Mark is very nice, very supportive, and very helpful in terms of practical classes. He always has the time to spend with all of us to help us grow. I would highly recommend Mark as a trainer at Orange College.”

One memorable experience stands out from Binesh’s training. “I still remember my training days with Mark. We were both on the boom lift together,” he recalls, referencing the working at heights training that’s part of the painting course. This hands-on experience with equipment and safety procedures has proven invaluable throughout his career. “That’s why I’m still alive!” he jokes.

Building Skills and Career Progression

The skills Binesh learned at Orange College became the foundation of his professional toolkit. “I learned how to use a paintbrush in a proper, professional way. There’s a lot to know about holding a paintbrush, applying paint with a roller, applying paint with a spray gun, doing all kinds of repairs—filling, sanding, gapping, staining. Yeah, I learned how to stain. Mark expanded quite well on that. Texturing, staining, all kinds of fences and painting.”

Beyond technical painting skills, Orange College equipped him with crucial workplace safety knowledge. “I would also say I learnt a lot about WHS—being safe in a construction environment. That’s been helping throughout my whole journey.”

After graduating in 2022, Binesh completed a nine-month apprenticeship with a company specializing in commercial buildings, aged care centres, and schools. He then gained additional experience working with private business owners, including Rightway Developments, before taking the bold step of launching his own business.

Vince Paintings: A Business Built on Excellence

In October 2025, Binesh established Vince Paintings, working as a sole trader primarily with private customers while also partnering with project builders. Today, he works extensively on renovation projects throughout Southeast Melbourne’s prestigious suburbs—Elsternwick, Caulfield, and Malvern—bringing character-filled Victorian homes back to life.

“We’re mainly into old Victorian houses around those areas. Very old houses that we have to bring back to a brand new house—bringing them back to life,” he explains. “We work with an architect as well. That’s mainly where my jobs are—renovations where we always work together.”

His work includes comprehensive interior and exterior painting, decorating, staircase finishes, and complete home transformations. “I basically work with the public, private owners and private customers, and I feel good doing the job. As long as clients are happy, I’m happy.”

The Power of Community and Networking

One aspect of Orange College that surprised Utku was its commitment to building community. “Even though it’s a ‘trades’ school, you guys try to be as social as possible. We have Easter and Christmas BBQs, calling students together, and being social. That’s actually how I made my connections for my work right now.”

At the Easter barbecue in 2025, Utku met Nathan, Head of Development from Carpentry Australia, a trade-based organisation that partners with Orange College. “I don’t think other schools are doing that kind of stuff, bringing companies to the school to connect with students.”

Career Advancement and Future Goals

Not content to rest on his achievements, Binesh is currently pursuing a Diploma in Civil Construction Design to further enhance his professional capabilities. “Just to give me a bit more edge in my professional career—to understand plans better and how housing plans work” he explains. “Understanding measurements, how to charge per square metre and all that stuff. It’s going to help somewhere.”

The painting qualification also proved valuable for his immigration pathway, as painting is listed on Australia’s skilled occupation shortage list, helping him navigate the skills assessment process smoothly.

Advice for Aspiring Painters

Binesh has clear advice for current and future students pursuing careers in painting and decorating.

Never Give Up: “Always keep pushing. There’s always an opportunity coming up very soon. Never give up on the courses or the work. It might be a hard job, but still keep going. At the end of the day, it’s worth it.”

Provide Exceptional Service: “There’s a lot of competition in the market at the moment. But if you work with good work ethics and always provide more services than what you get paid for, that might be a good opportunity to grow within the business. Try to do a bit of cleanup after the job—that might help you get recommended by customers in the long run.”

Respect and Patience: “Always respect people, no matter who they are or how they are. Always have patience in painting, always keep focusing on the job.”

Looking Ahead

Six years after arriving in Melbourne, Binesh has built a thriving painting business and established himself as a skilled professional in Melbourne’s competitive renovation market. He’s already thinking about expansion and giving back to the community that supported him.

“We’ll see in the next few months, maybe by next year, if we can expand. I’ll probably be looking to hire some students from Orange College to help with their apprenticeships and everything.”

From a young man with a passion for painting to a successful business owner transforming Melbourne’s heritage homes, Binesh’s journey demonstrates what’s possible with determination, quality training, and unwavering commitment to excellence