July 2002 - Faculty of Business and Law - Victoria University
July 2002 - Faculty of Business and Law - Victoria University
July 2002 - Faculty of Business and Law - Victoria University
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A group <strong>of</strong> postgraduates from the School <strong>of</strong> HTM is working<br />
news<br />
towards formalising an Alumni Chapter within VU<br />
Alumni<br />
Let us know where you are <strong>and</strong> what you are doing. Contact: Jane Odgers on jane.odgers@vu.edu.au<br />
Louisa Watkins<br />
TRANSFER BROADENS<br />
Louisa Watkins is one <strong>of</strong> an increasing<br />
number <strong>of</strong> people advancing careers<br />
through further education.<br />
10<br />
KNOWLEDGE<br />
She did not find an initial brief flirtation with an<br />
Arts degree fully satisfying so applied for <strong>and</strong><br />
secured entry into the vocationally oriented<br />
Academy S<strong>of</strong>itel.<br />
“Academy S<strong>of</strong>itel presented an amazing<br />
opportunity to gain broad exposure to the<br />
industry in a five-star setting.<br />
“I commenced Certificate III in Hospitality -<br />
Food <strong>and</strong> Beverage at the beginning <strong>of</strong> 2000<br />
<strong>and</strong> gained a position in the Atrium/S<strong>of</strong>is team<br />
working in the cocktail lounge – both on the<br />
floor <strong>and</strong> in the bar,” she said.<br />
Louisa has since completed Certificate IV <strong>and</strong><br />
rotated through various positions at Hotel<br />
S<strong>of</strong>itel Melbourne, but believed that her career<br />
prospects would be enhanced if she undertook a<br />
Bachelor <strong>of</strong> <strong>Business</strong> – Hospitality Management<br />
degree.<br />
“This is my second year <strong>of</strong> study at the<br />
university, taking advantage <strong>of</strong> the accelerated<br />
course <strong>of</strong>fered via my articulation from Academy<br />
S<strong>of</strong>itel.<br />
“I am currently looking at overseas options for<br />
Co-op. I feel that international experience will be<br />
beneficial to my career prospects.<br />
“I am yet to make any firm decision about my<br />
future career, but I feel that in the long term I<br />
will remain with Accor, as the international<br />
career prospects are endless,” Louisa says.<br />
Palazzo Versace<br />
HOSPITALITY BY DESIGN<br />
CO-OP STUDENTS<br />
IN OVERDRIVE<br />
The RACV Club is one <strong>of</strong> the most enthusiastic supporters<br />
<strong>of</strong> Co-op, providing paid work experience for students over<br />
many years.<br />
The RACV Club’s Human Relations Officer, Chloe Lloyd,<br />
says students typically work with the Club for twelve to 14<br />
months, learning all aspects <strong>of</strong> the Club management <strong>and</strong><br />
catering business.<br />
“It is an excellent opportunity for us to engage talented<br />
people <strong>and</strong> take a look at the potential <strong>of</strong> prospective<br />
employees,” she says.<br />
A highlight <strong>of</strong> the Co-op year for recent interns, Suzanne<br />
Williams <strong>and</strong> Kathryn Zammitt (pictured above with RACV<br />
Club <strong>and</strong> VU staff), was organising the annual dinner<br />
recognising the RACV Club’s apprentices <strong>and</strong> trainees.<br />
Kathryn’s tour <strong>of</strong> duty with RACV began in January 2001 at<br />
the organisation’s Healesville Country Club, where she<br />
spent about eight weeks. She has spent her time at the city<br />
club in accounts, human resources, front <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>and</strong><br />
membership. She plans to pursue a career in human<br />
resources management.<br />
Suzanne joined RACV in December 2000 <strong>and</strong> has worked in<br />
human resources, accounts, special events, front <strong>of</strong>fice,<br />
kitchen, club bar, concierge <strong>and</strong> c<strong>of</strong>fee lounge.<br />
Both are back at the School <strong>of</strong> HTM this year completing<br />
their courses (Kathryn: BBus Hospitality <strong>and</strong> Tourism<br />
Management; Suzanne: BBus Catering <strong>and</strong> Hotel<br />
Management).<br />
Versace denotes uniqueness. That Australia’s<br />
Gold Coast should host the first hotel designed<br />
by one <strong>of</strong> Europe’s leading fashion houses is<br />
also surprising.<br />
Whether the Palazzo Versace venture is an<br />
outst<strong>and</strong>ing success has, to some extent, been<br />
left in the h<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> School <strong>of</strong> HTM graduate,<br />
Avril Jones.<br />
Avril is <strong>Business</strong> Development Manager for the<br />
hotel, marketing it to discerning travellers in<br />
UK/Europe, North America <strong>and</strong> the southern<br />
Australian states.<br />
Naturally, first impressions <strong>of</strong> Avril’s job<br />
description <strong>and</strong> employer communicate<br />
“GLAMOUR!”. She concedes that it isn’t at<br />
all bad.<br />
“It is always a pleasure to host clients in such<br />
a beautiful hotel <strong>and</strong> to see the lobby in the<br />
evening with the tea c<strong>and</strong>les lit <strong>and</strong> guests<br />
being served exquisite canapés by the<br />
well-presented <strong>and</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional team.<br />
It really is a pleasant experience.<br />
It makes you appreciate what a<br />
wonderful job you have,” says<br />
Avril.<br />
But life is not all champagne <strong>and</strong><br />
canapés. When Avril helped with<br />
the hotel launch, she<br />
spent the<br />
previous night<br />
making beds<br />
<strong>and</strong> filling<br />
minibars.<br />
“I have certainly met some interesting people<br />
in this job. Probably the most interesting are<br />
the ones that link back to Versace. They are all<br />
so creative <strong>and</strong> quite inspirational,” she says.<br />
Avril describes the target markets for Palazzo<br />
Versace as quite broad, although there are<br />
obviously some key niche markets for this type<br />
<strong>of</strong> property. She spends a substantial amount<br />
<strong>of</strong> time developing joint marketing <strong>and</strong><br />
communications strategies with industry<br />
partners like Tourism Queensl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> the Gold<br />
Coast Tourism Bureau. Pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
Conference Organisers <strong>and</strong> Convention<br />
Organisers are also key targets.<br />
One highlight <strong>of</strong> her career to date was her<br />
recent presentation to Versace’s Bond Street<br />
staff in London, who she describes as very<br />
friendly <strong>and</strong> “lots <strong>of</strong> fun”.<br />
Avril graduated with a<br />
Bachelor <strong>of</strong> <strong>Business</strong><br />
(Catering <strong>and</strong> Hotel<br />
Management) in<br />
1990. Her Palazzo<br />
Versace position<br />
is the most recent<br />
<strong>of</strong> several<br />
positions she has<br />
held over the<br />
past twelve years.<br />
Previous<br />
employers<br />
have included<br />
AAT Kings, Jetset<br />
<strong>and</strong> Southern<br />
Pacific Hotels<br />
(now Six<br />
Continents).<br />
Avril Jones