Lachlan Madsen has been recognised as a winner in the Capricorn Rising Stars Awards

Lachlan Madsen, an apprentice at Homebush Auto Electrical, has been named the New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory Region Winner in the 2025 Capricorn Rising Stars Awards.
The Rising Stars Awards, now in its eighth year, shine a spotlight on the next generation of automotive talent across Australia and New Zealand.
Backed by industry suppliers Castrol, Repco and The Workshop Whisperer, the program celebrates apprentices who go the extra mile — like Lachlan, whose journey from tinkering in the family garage to solving complex workshop challenges is nothing short of inspiring.
This year marks a new chapter for the awards, with Capricorn recognising Region Winners alongside the Overall Winner, meaning more apprentices are being celebrated than ever before. It’s a timely move, as the industry faces a skills crunch, the rise of EVs and growing competition.
Lachlan’s passion for the trade was sparked early, helping his mechanic dad in the garage.
These days, he’s known for his sharp diagnostic skills and cool-headed approach to tricky problems, whether it’s tracking down a damaged engine control unit (ECU) wire or uncovering a hidden parasitic drain.
A standout moment came when he mastered the oscilloscope to diagnose a misfire, a skill he says changed how he tackles every job.
“Lachlan’s nomination speaks volumes about his curiosity, persistence and drive to succeed,” Capricorn Group Chief Executive Officer, Brad Gannon, said.
“Recognising apprentices like Lachlan is key to keeping the industry firing on all cylinders.
“Lachlan demonstrates both attitude and determination. He’s not just learning – he is leading, and that mindset will take him far.”
Blending technical know-how with a passion for mentoring the next wave of apprentices and lifting diagnostic standards across the board, Lachlan has a strong future ahead.
“In five years, I see myself stepping into a leadership role, ideally managing or even running a workshop,” Lachlan said.
“I’m passionate about both the technical and business side of the trade, and I want to combine those skills to build a team and deliver high quality services.”
Winning a Rising Stars Award can be a game-changer — not just for the apprentice, but for the workshop that’s backed their journey.
Lachlan now joins five other Region Winners in the race for the national title, to be announced later this year.
In 2025, Region Winners receive cash and vouchers from sponsors Castrol and Repco.

For more information, visit www.capricorn.coop/rising-stars