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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<strong>July</strong> <strong>2002</strong><br />
SCHOOL OF<br />
HOSPITALITY, TOURISM<br />
&<br />
MARKETING www.<strong>Business</strong>And<strong>Law</strong>.vu.edu.au<br />
FOOD SAFETY<br />
OUR TASTY<br />
NEW ASSIGNMENT<br />
VU’s Centre <strong>of</strong> Hospitality <strong>and</strong><br />
Tourism Research (CHTR) has just<br />
embarked upon one <strong>of</strong> the most<br />
mouth-watering assignments it has<br />
ever undertaken. It is also one <strong>of</strong> its<br />
biggest to date.<br />
The CHTR has successfully<br />
tendered in partnership with<br />
Quality Food Management Systems<br />
to audit food safety in <strong>Victoria</strong> on<br />
behalf <strong>of</strong> the state government.<br />
CHTR’s Acting Director, Marg<br />
Deery, said the audit had been<br />
triggered by a series <strong>of</strong> food safety<br />
issues over recent years.<br />
“The primary objective is to<br />
audit the policies <strong>and</strong> procedures<br />
adopted by the state’s 78 local<br />
councils to monitor <strong>and</strong> enforce<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong>’s Food Safety Act.<br />
“We are undertaking two pilot<br />
studies in the cities <strong>of</strong> Port Phillip<br />
<strong>and</strong> Campaspe to refine our<br />
research procedures for city <strong>and</strong><br />
regional municipalities before<br />
we extend the audit through the<br />
state.<br />
“Initially, we will circulate a<br />
written survey to councils seeking<br />
information on how they go about<br />
monitoring food safety in their<br />
municipality <strong>and</strong> enforcing policy.<br />
It also seeks information on any<br />
breaches <strong>of</strong> the Act they have<br />
experienced <strong>and</strong> how they have<br />
dealt with them,” Marg said.<br />
The audit team will r<strong>and</strong>omly<br />
select ten <strong>Victoria</strong>n municipalities<br />
for a thorough physical audit once<br />
the initial surveys are in.<br />
“We also plan to select some food<br />
industry small businesses on which<br />
we can develop case studies.<br />
“The Auditor-General’s Department<br />
requires a report from us for<br />
the Spring sitting <strong>of</strong> Parliament, so<br />
the timeframe for the audit <strong>and</strong><br />
report preparation is quite tight,”<br />
Marg said.<br />
Several School <strong>of</strong> HTM staff are<br />
key drivers for the CHTR food<br />
audit project: Barry O’Mahony,<br />
Linda Roberts <strong>and</strong> Anne-Marie<br />
Hede.<br />
Please circulate this copy<br />
<strong>of</strong> Degrees to:
CHANGING PERCEPTIONS<br />
OF MELBOURNE’S WEST<br />
Saying ‘Cheese’ at Melbourne’s <strong>2002</strong> Food <strong>and</strong> Wine Festival<br />
were School <strong>of</strong> HTM staff <strong>and</strong> guest presenters.<br />
A TASTE THAT WILL LINGER ON<br />
Cathy Velentzas <strong>and</strong> Fiona Kinniburgh – hoping tourism is set to go wild in Melbourne’s west.<br />
Two School <strong>of</strong> HTM graduates are set on<br />
turning Melbourne tourism’s eyes<br />
westward, towards an area bounded by Little<br />
River <strong>and</strong> east to the edge <strong>of</strong> Port Phillip<br />
Bay.<br />
To most people, that definition <strong>of</strong><br />
Melbourne’s western boundaries is the first<br />
surprise presented by Wyndham Council’s<br />
Tourism Officer, Fiona Kinniburgh, <strong>and</strong><br />
Tourism Synergy Proprietor, Cathy<br />
Velentzas.<br />
The second is their optimism for the city’s<br />
west as a tourism growth corridor,<br />
particularly for domestic tourists, many <strong>of</strong><br />
whom perceive the west to be an industrial<br />
zone.<br />
According to Fiona, this is far from the<br />
truth:“It is a zone that boasts beautiful<br />
waterways, first-class accommodation <strong>and</strong><br />
conferencing facilities <strong>and</strong> mega-attractions<br />
like the Werribee Open Range Zoo.”<br />
Cathy agrees, but points out that changing<br />
perceptions is a long-term process.<br />
“You cannot change image overnight.<br />
Initially, we will focus on promoting our<br />
strengths, Over time, it will click with<br />
people that the west <strong>of</strong> Melbourne is really<br />
an attractive place with a lot to <strong>of</strong>fer,” she<br />
said.<br />
They said councils, like Wyndham, had an<br />
increasing <strong>and</strong> relevant role in the<br />
promotion <strong>of</strong> regional tourism, acting as<br />
facilitators <strong>and</strong> resource providers for local<br />
businesses, that may lack resources <strong>of</strong> their<br />
own to invest in broader destination<br />
marketing.<br />
This has required a substantial cultural<br />
change in many local authorities that need<br />
to make the transition from being providers<br />
<strong>of</strong> community infrastructure to drivers <strong>of</strong><br />
regional development<br />
Fiona said forging relationships with<br />
accommodation providers, local attractions,<br />
events <strong>and</strong> visitor <strong>and</strong> promotional bureaus<br />
is a critical part <strong>of</strong> her council role.<br />
“Improving access to some <strong>of</strong> our natural<br />
attractions is one <strong>of</strong> our major challenges.<br />
Infrastructure has a big impact on tourism’s<br />
effectiveness.The completion <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Western Ring Road was an important<br />
factor in making Melbourne’s west more<br />
accessible <strong>and</strong> we have certainly benefited<br />
from that,” she said.<br />
Degrees is produced by Multimedia<br />
Creations Pty Ltd on behalf <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Publisher:<br />
School <strong>of</strong> Hospitality,Tourism &<br />
Marketing (F111), Footscray Park<br />
Campus,<strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>University</strong>,<br />
PO Box 14428, Melbourne City MC,<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong>, 8001<br />
Editors:<br />
Jane Odgers. Ph: (03) 9688 4413<br />
Austin Norman. Ph: (03) 9688 4472<br />
Fax: (03) 9688 4931<br />
Journalist:<br />
Ge<strong>of</strong>f Brooks<br />
e-mail: gbrooks@medianet.com.au<br />
Graphic Design:<br />
Elizabeth Cincotta<br />
e-mail: mmcreate@medianet.com.au<br />
Ph: (03) 9486 9566.<br />
VU-hosted seminars made a splash at this<br />
year’s Melbourne Food <strong>and</strong> Wine Festival,<br />
leaving an indelible mark on the memories<br />
<strong>of</strong> key influencers in the industry <strong>and</strong> its<br />
media.<br />
Giving festival goers food for thought is<br />
likely to become an annual feature <strong>of</strong> VU’s<br />
contribution to what is now an<br />
internationally acclaimed celebration <strong>of</strong><br />
culinary flair.<br />
The seminars held at VU’s City Flinders<br />
Campus Convention Centre <strong>and</strong> cosponsor’s<br />
Hotel S<strong>of</strong>itel Melbourne, put some<br />
<strong>of</strong> the city’s most famous gastronomes<br />
around the table to discuss key industry<br />
issues like ‘Should Sushi be eaten naked?’<br />
<strong>and</strong>, critically,“Are academics on the gravy<br />
train?”.<br />
Faced with these vexed questions were<br />
seminar guests like Restaurant <strong>and</strong> Catering<br />
Association President, Dure Dura, <strong>and</strong><br />
eminent food <strong>and</strong> wine consultant, Suzanne<br />
Halliday.<br />
The seminars were hosted by radio<br />
foodies, ABC National’s ‘Comfort Zone’<br />
presenter, Dr Alan Saunders, <strong>and</strong> Triple R’s<br />
‘Eat It’ host, Cameron Smith.<br />
Gastronomy researcher <strong>and</strong> author,<br />
Rosario Scarpato, said sensuality <strong>and</strong><br />
sustainability could be a match made in<br />
VU’s PIONEERING GERMANS<br />
Fourteen German students will next month pioneer a new international agreement<br />
between VU’s School <strong>of</strong> HTM <strong>and</strong> the International <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Applied Science,<br />
Bad Honnef, Germany.<br />
The agreement allows German students studying tourism or hospitality to undertake<br />
a years study at the School <strong>of</strong> HTM as full fee paying overseas students.That year will<br />
give them credit into a VU degree.<br />
When they return to Germany <strong>and</strong> complete their qualification, those students will<br />
graduate from their four-year course with two qualifications. All students taking up the<br />
<strong>of</strong>fer will complete two five-month internships, including one outside Germany.<br />
VU may extend its links with Germany through another association with the<br />
Akademie Fur Touristik, Freiburg, whose students may be able to enter VU degrees as<br />
full-paying overseas students required to complete three semesters before graduation.<br />
Pictured right are the architects <strong>of</strong> the agreement: <strong>Faculty</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Law</strong>’s<br />
Dean Roman Tomasic, <strong>and</strong> International Unversity <strong>of</strong> Applied Science, Director <strong>of</strong><br />
Internaiontal Programs, Lucia Sauer.<br />
heaven when reflective eating took place.<br />
While conceding that what was sensual<br />
was not always sustainable, they said the<br />
media played a pivotal role in sustainability<br />
in food <strong>and</strong> wine tourism.<br />
Music to the ears perhaps <strong>of</strong> regular<br />
media types present at the meeting.<br />
Mir<strong>and</strong>a Sharp writes for “The Age”<br />
Epicure section <strong>and</strong> said the forums were<br />
her “most lasting experiences” <strong>of</strong> the<br />
festival.<br />
She later wrote to Barry O’Mahoney<br />
<strong>of</strong> VU’s School <strong>of</strong> HTM saying the<br />
seminars were one <strong>of</strong> the most valuable<br />
inclusions in the festival.<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
2<br />
School <strong>of</strong> Hospitality,Tourism & Marketing<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
3<br />
School <strong>of</strong> Hospitality,Tourism & Marketing
Research Update<br />
EXCITING MARKET RESEARCH<br />
The latest edition <strong>of</strong> the book “Marketing<br />
Research”, <strong>of</strong> which VU Senior<br />
Lecturer, John Hall,<br />
is one <strong>of</strong> three coauthors,<br />
has won<br />
the Award for<br />
Excellence in<br />
Educational<br />
Publishing for the<br />
“Best Tertiary St<strong>and</strong>alone<br />
Adaption”<br />
announced on 20<br />
June, <strong>2002</strong>.<br />
Making the process as<br />
well as the outcomes <strong>of</strong><br />
research exciting is one<br />
<strong>of</strong> the book’s objectives.<br />
John teamed up with Lynx Research,<br />
Group Director, Mike Shaw, <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Ballarat, Head <strong>of</strong> Marketing<br />
<strong>and</strong> Tourism, Peter Oppenheim to<br />
produce the second edition <strong>of</strong> the book<br />
published by Pearson Education Australia.<br />
John Hall(left) pictured with co-authors Mike Shaw, Peter Openheim <strong>and</strong> Cath<br />
Godfrey <strong>of</strong> Pearson Education Publishing (second from right).<br />
At the launch, John Hall, said<br />
the book owed much <strong>of</strong> its content to the<br />
commercial <strong>and</strong> academic experience <strong>of</strong> the<br />
authors.<br />
“Our goal was to create a text that would<br />
excite <strong>and</strong> stimulate interest in market<br />
research. It is based on an applied as well as a<br />
managerial approach, primarily as a textbook<br />
Do the Irish have a natural affinity with<br />
brewing <strong>and</strong> running pubs, or is there<br />
another rationale for their pre-eminence in<br />
Australia’s brewing history?<br />
The answer to that is ‘yes’ on both<br />
counts according to recent research<br />
conducted by VU Lecturer, Barry<br />
O’Mahony, for his PhD thesis.<br />
“Essentially, the Irish were farmers, but<br />
were unable to get onto the l<strong>and</strong> in<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> during the squatting era,” Barry<br />
explains.<br />
“They also had a cultural affinity with<br />
pubs <strong>and</strong> the liquor trade, so diversified<br />
into this business, to the point where they<br />
were disproportionately represented in it<br />
<strong>and</strong> controlled the liquor licensing<br />
authority in the 1950s <strong>and</strong> 60s.”<br />
The Toohey’s br<strong>and</strong> is one <strong>of</strong> the most<br />
outst<strong>and</strong>ing legacies <strong>of</strong> the Irish influence,<br />
still carrying the name <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> the first<br />
Irish brewers in Australia, Matthew Toohey.<br />
Barry also reveals that the lager style so<br />
predominant in today’s Australian brewing<br />
was not always the favoured drop.<br />
“It took some time for lagers to<br />
for higher education purposes.<br />
“However, I am sure many market research<br />
buyers <strong>and</strong> suppliers will also find it useful as<br />
a source <strong>of</strong> descriptions <strong>of</strong> market research<br />
methodologies <strong>and</strong> other information,” he<br />
said. The book places considerable emphasis<br />
on problem definition <strong>and</strong> an extensive<br />
discussion <strong>of</strong> the research brief.<br />
The blarney on brewing<br />
dominate. For many years, Australian<br />
brewers had a lot <strong>of</strong> trouble with yeast.<br />
Their problem was overcome in 1883 by a<br />
European chemist, Emil Christian Hansen,<br />
working at the Carlsberg brewery. His<br />
work made it possible to use exactly the<br />
same yeast to produce beer with uniform<br />
consistency.<br />
“Hansen’s thesis published in 1884<br />
inspired two Melbourne scientists to<br />
attempt to develop yeast strains <strong>of</strong> their<br />
own. Both had considerable success. One<br />
<strong>of</strong> them, de Bavay, consulted Hansen<br />
directly <strong>and</strong> in 1888 managed to isolate a<br />
wild yeast.<br />
“The difference here was that Hansen<br />
was working with the European style lager,<br />
while de Bavay produced a st<strong>and</strong>ard yeast<br />
for ales that were favoured in Australia.<br />
“This yeast was shared throughout the<br />
colonies <strong>and</strong> by 1889, de Bavay’s yeast<br />
strains were the basis for all colonial beer,”<br />
Barry says.<br />
The focus <strong>of</strong> his thesis is the proposal<br />
that the Australian pub is a hybrid Irish<br />
pub.<br />
Paul Whitelaw<br />
Paul Constantinou<br />
Common Quest for<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism<br />
Quest Apartments’ founder, Paul Constantinou, is constantly<br />
striving to improve his business <strong>and</strong> recognises the importance <strong>of</strong><br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional development among employees to achieve his goals.<br />
It made sense to Paul, when his namesake,VU Lecturer, Paul<br />
Whitelaw, contacted him about participating in a study to evaluate<br />
the skills, characteristics <strong>and</strong> attributes <strong>of</strong> hospitality managers.<br />
It did not take long to reach agreement on the potential <strong>of</strong> the<br />
study for both partners. Paul Whitelaw would complete his PhD<br />
research, while Quest would benefit from the management<br />
workshops <strong>and</strong> training sessions conducted for the research.<br />
The trickle-down benefits would also flow to Quest’s individual<br />
franchisees, supervisors <strong>and</strong> managers, who would each receive a<br />
personal report, outlining potential avenues for pr<strong>of</strong>essional <strong>and</strong><br />
career development within the group.<br />
“The outcome <strong>of</strong> the research is yet to be finalised,” said Paul<br />
Whitelaw. However, based upon the data gathered from Quest<br />
<strong>and</strong> more than 250 other hospitality managers <strong>and</strong> employees,<br />
staff who perform well are <strong>of</strong>ten promoted without having the<br />
necessary skills to perform their more senior functions effectively.<br />
“It suggests that hospitality organisations may need to link<br />
promotion up the ladder with more substantial <strong>and</strong> formal<br />
personal development opportunities to ensure their best staff are<br />
able to realise their potential.”<br />
Paul Constantinou believes that in the hospitality business, it is<br />
not the business that fails, but the people who run it.Their<br />
learning experience must never stop.<br />
Paul’s never-ending Quest<br />
Paul Constantinou is the driving force behind the network <strong>of</strong> 65<br />
Quest apartment complexes dotted throughout Australia <strong>and</strong> New<br />
Zeal<strong>and</strong>.<br />
As with most business success stories Paul’s career, since<br />
graduating from VU’s predecessor Footscray Institute, was ignited<br />
by a small spark <strong>of</strong> opportunity – <strong>and</strong> the capacity to recognise it.<br />
In retrospect, the opportunity was quite obvious.While working<br />
for a small chain <strong>of</strong> motels in northern <strong>Victoria</strong>, Paul recognised<br />
that the business was not driven by tourists, but by business<br />
travellers.<br />
The rest is history. He explored the potential for developing<br />
accommodation specifically tailored to the needs <strong>of</strong> business<br />
travellers.<br />
Paul’s Quest was launched with his Royal Gardens apartments,<br />
positioned behind Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building in<br />
1988.<br />
The group is planning for about 30 new developments in<br />
Australia, with a target <strong>of</strong> around 120 in the network by 2005.<br />
Equity <strong>and</strong> access concern<br />
for on-line teaching<br />
The rush to embrace the internet as a<br />
primary education resource medium<br />
should be tempered by concerns about<br />
equity <strong>and</strong> access for all, according to<br />
Jeffrey Kidd <strong>and</strong> Helen Madden-Hallett<br />
<strong>of</strong> the School <strong>of</strong> HTM’s Marketing<br />
Discipline Area.<br />
They recently completed a brief study <strong>of</strong><br />
the use <strong>of</strong> computers in education,<br />
especially among marketing students.<br />
“While our surveys indicated that<br />
internet access is not a problem for a<br />
Jeffrey Kidd<br />
majority <strong>of</strong> students, universities <strong>and</strong><br />
teachers should ensure that equipment <strong>and</strong> training are available to<br />
avoid disadvantaging students who may not have access for reasons<br />
beyond their control,” the pair said.<br />
Their conclusions were based on a survey <strong>of</strong> students using the<br />
internet at home <strong>and</strong> elsewhere <strong>and</strong> the results compared across<br />
campuses <strong>and</strong> with another university.<br />
It analysed the potential impacts on student internet access <strong>of</strong><br />
disability, personality type, non-English speaking <strong>and</strong> indigenous<br />
backgrounds <strong>and</strong> socio-economic circumstances.<br />
Jeffrey <strong>and</strong> Helen have produced two joint papers based on their<br />
studies, one <strong>of</strong> which was presented at last year’s ANZMAC<br />
Conference.<br />
Another will be published this year for the Equity Conference<br />
being held at VU.<br />
Strategic alliances are the<br />
way <strong>of</strong> the future<br />
Strategic alliances are the leading edge <strong>of</strong><br />
business-to-business (B2B) marketing,<br />
according to VU’s Helen Madden-<br />
Hallett, who is not only preparing a<br />
thesis on the subject, but clearly applies it<br />
to her teaching strategy.<br />
Energex State Manager, John Gawne, is<br />
studying for a Masters at VU, but Helen<br />
saw the value <strong>of</strong> a strategic partnership<br />
with John to help School <strong>of</strong> HTM<br />
students underst<strong>and</strong> more about the real<br />
world <strong>of</strong> B2B marketing.<br />
Helen Madden-Hallett She recruited John as a guest lecturer to<br />
talk on the subject <strong>and</strong> specifically how Energex, a leading <strong>Victoria</strong>n<br />
utilities company was leveraging alliances to win commercial<br />
business in the fast-moving, de-regulated energy market.<br />
“Most people do not realise that B2B marketing is five times the<br />
size <strong>of</strong> the consumer marketing business <strong>and</strong> it has become<br />
extremely sophisticated.”<br />
“It is clear that sales people are becoming more like consultants in<br />
this sphere.They are researching potential customers, <strong>and</strong> pitching<br />
specifically tailored solutions to their needs,” Helen said<br />
She said companies were constantly re-evaluating their own<br />
strengths <strong>and</strong> weaknesses <strong>and</strong> forming alliances that leverage their<br />
strengths <strong>and</strong> fill gaps where they might be deficient.<br />
“Forming strategic alliances is also fraught with danger. It is very<br />
easy with alliances for companies to become selfish <strong>and</strong> maximise<br />
their individual shares <strong>of</strong> the total business.<br />
“Companies must be sure to undertake proper due diligence,<br />
including evaluation <strong>of</strong> intangible elements like different company<br />
cultures,” she said.<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>University</strong> 4<br />
School <strong>of</strong> Hospitality,Tourism & Marketing<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
5<br />
School <strong>of</strong> Hospitality,Tourism & Marketing
MANY FINE THREADS<br />
CONNECT US WITH CHINA<br />
Western society’s earliest links with China were largely secured by a fine<br />
thread – Silk. This superb natural fibre was the currency <strong>of</strong> substantial<br />
trade with the west. It opened doors between ancient civilisations <strong>and</strong><br />
began the process <strong>of</strong> breaking down the mystique <strong>of</strong> the ‘Far East’. Today,<br />
different mechanisms are leading to greater underst<strong>and</strong>ing between China<br />
<strong>and</strong> the rest <strong>of</strong> the world. Shared knowledge will undoubtedly pave the<br />
Silk Road <strong>of</strong> the next century <strong>and</strong> VU’s School <strong>of</strong> HTM is already plying<br />
the route between China <strong>and</strong> the West …<br />
Adding technique to natural flair<br />
Wai Lee Leong left Australia last year armed<br />
with marketing techniques that she believed<br />
would help one <strong>of</strong> China’s premier resorts to<br />
expose its beauty <strong>and</strong> gr<strong>and</strong>eur to the world.<br />
Wai now has her opportunity. She is Director<br />
<strong>of</strong> Marketing at the Shangri-La Hotel in<br />
Hanzhou overlooking Zhekiang Province’s<br />
renowned West Lake.<br />
Her marketing techniques were honed at the<br />
School <strong>of</strong> HTM as part <strong>of</strong> her MBA course,<br />
in which she took particular interest in<br />
emerging market trends.<br />
“It did not really matter to me that the<br />
marketing subjects that I took for my MBA<br />
were not directly related to the hospitality<br />
industry because I looked at the bigger<br />
picture.<br />
“I am versatile enough to apply the<br />
marketing techniques that I acquired during<br />
my course to the hospitality <strong>and</strong> catering<br />
industry after I graduated.<br />
“Adapting foreign skills <strong>and</strong> expertise to local<br />
conditions is very common in China,” she<br />
said.<br />
Wai spent a year completing her MBA<br />
course, after completing a four-year hotel<br />
management course in London in the 1980s.<br />
She undertook further education to “brush<br />
up on the latest marketing techniques <strong>and</strong><br />
trends”.<br />
As her title suggests,Wai is in charge <strong>of</strong> the<br />
hotel’s Sales <strong>and</strong> Marketing division, with its<br />
four sub-departments <strong>and</strong> 25 staff. Its<br />
activities embrace every facet <strong>of</strong> customer<br />
contact: sales, banqueting, reservations <strong>and</strong><br />
communications.<br />
She said her specialisation in marketing<br />
during her MBA has enabled her to better<br />
manage a portfolio <strong>of</strong> responsibilities that<br />
stretch from product development through to<br />
electronic marketing <strong>and</strong> distribution over<br />
the intenet.<br />
Wai’s current posting should be two years<br />
before she is moved elsewhere within the<br />
prestigious Shangri-La hotel group.<br />
Dr Ruhi Yaman <strong>and</strong> Bo Gao, HTM’s<br />
first graduate in MBUS Hospitality <strong>and</strong><br />
Tourism Marketing.<br />
Bo Gao intends to<br />
spread the word<br />
Bo Gao is not satisfied with two Masters<br />
degrees.That is not because she does not<br />
regard them as personal milestones, but<br />
because she plans to complete a PhD<br />
course at VU before herself becoming an<br />
educator to China’s growing population <strong>of</strong><br />
hospitality <strong>and</strong> tourism pr<strong>of</strong>essionals.<br />
“My dream is to become a lecturer in<br />
China <strong>and</strong> a doctorate is very important if<br />
you want to teach at a Chinese university,”<br />
Bo said.<br />
“There is a shortage <strong>of</strong> senior staff in<br />
hospitality <strong>and</strong> tourism in China since the<br />
country gained admission to the World<br />
Trade Organisation <strong>and</strong> won the right to<br />
host the 2008 Olympic Games.There are<br />
plenty <strong>of</strong> opportunities there.”<br />
Bo was packing her belongings for a return<br />
to China as we went to press. She wants to<br />
gain more h<strong>and</strong>s-on experience before<br />
undertaking her PhD, which will be based<br />
on the factors influencing the satisfaction <strong>of</strong><br />
Chinese inbound visitors to Australia.<br />
“There are more <strong>and</strong> more tourists <strong>and</strong><br />
investors visiting China since it established<br />
an ‘open door’ policy towards the west.The<br />
dem<strong>and</strong> for quality service is rising.<br />
“I chose to study at VU’s School <strong>of</strong> HTM,<br />
because my lecturer at Swinburne TAFE<br />
told me that VU <strong>of</strong>fered the best education<br />
in these fields,” Bo said (Bo completed a<br />
Diploma in Hospitality at Swinburne<br />
TAFE).<br />
Migrant culture impacts on travel<br />
Thu-Huong Nguyen is set to step onto<br />
the big stage. She will present a paper she<br />
co-authored with VU’s Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Brian<br />
King <strong>and</strong> Lindsay Turner on Travel<br />
Behaviour <strong>and</strong> Migrant Cultures to an<br />
international audience attending the 8th<br />
Asia-Pacific Tourism Association (APTA)<br />
annual conference in Dalian, China in<br />
<strong>July</strong>.<br />
The focal point <strong>of</strong> the paper is the<br />
cultural change that occurs in migrant<br />
communities influences their tourism<br />
consumption <strong>and</strong> is therefore likely to<br />
influence their travel motives, patterns,<br />
expectations <strong>and</strong> experiences.<br />
It is based on an examination <strong>of</strong><br />
Vietnamese migrants (Viet kieu),<br />
particularly referencing return visits to<br />
Vietnam.<br />
“This topic will be <strong>of</strong> particular interest to<br />
the Dalian delegates, especially those from<br />
the host country, China,” said Thu-<br />
Huong.<br />
“The diaspora (homecoming tourism)<br />
experience is important because the Viet<br />
kieu share a strong sense <strong>of</strong> history <strong>and</strong><br />
culture, having experienced the physical<br />
<strong>and</strong> emotional trauma <strong>of</strong> migration.<br />
“Their experience raises broader questions<br />
about the way that migrants view the<br />
world such as the differences between the<br />
“imagined” <strong>and</strong> “real” country <strong>of</strong> origin.<br />
“Decisions to travel back to Vietnam may<br />
be prompted by a desire to maintain<br />
Vietnamese identity, thereby enabling<br />
travellers to maintain a degree <strong>of</strong><br />
normality in their new social<br />
environment.”<br />
She said the research suggested firstgeneration<br />
Viet kieu actively adopt<br />
Western behavioural characteristics during<br />
their integration into the adopted society<br />
<strong>and</strong> the capitalist system’s emphasis on<br />
individualism.<br />
They also appeared to maintain certain<br />
traditional values <strong>and</strong> Confucian ideals.<br />
Many adhered to traditional practices such<br />
as speaking Vietnamese within the family<br />
setting, maintaining family religion, kin<br />
relationships, obligations to parents, taking<br />
care <strong>of</strong> ancestral tombs <strong>and</strong> worship <strong>and</strong> a<br />
preference for visiting Vietnam at the<br />
Chinese New Year.<br />
In the present study some respondents<br />
claimed that they felt somewhat torn<br />
between Vietnamese <strong>and</strong> Australian<br />
identity, though most identified<br />
themselves as Vietnamese. Differences in<br />
travel behaviour are evident between the<br />
two groups - Viet kieu <strong>and</strong> non-Viet kieu.<br />
Such differences appear to have some<br />
connection with the Individualism <strong>of</strong> the<br />
West <strong>and</strong> the Collectivism <strong>of</strong> the East<br />
respectively.<br />
“Given the preoccupation <strong>of</strong> many<br />
Australian academics <strong>and</strong> politicians with<br />
engagement between Australia <strong>and</strong> Asia, a<br />
deeper underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> the relationship<br />
between tourism <strong>and</strong> migration in a<br />
cultural context is essential,”Thu-Huong<br />
said.<br />
Thu-Huong Nguyen is a HTM PhD<br />
student <strong>and</strong> a STAGGS scholarship holder<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Co-operative Research Centre <strong>of</strong><br />
Sustainable Tourism, Australia (CRC).<br />
Thu-Huong Nguyen<br />
TO MARKET TO MARKET<br />
Diploma in research<br />
The Market Research Society <strong>of</strong> Australia<br />
<strong>of</strong>fers a Diploma in Marketing Research. It<br />
requires students to complete eight<br />
prescribed subjects at university. John Hall <strong>of</strong><br />
our Marketing Discipline Area has<br />
negotiated an arrangement for VU<br />
marketing graduates, allowing them to<br />
obtain this diploma on application at<br />
completion <strong>of</strong> their degrees. Past graduates<br />
are able to apply. In order to get the Dip <strong>of</strong><br />
Mktg Research you should obtain the<br />
diploma application from the MRSA <strong>and</strong><br />
attach your VU transcript to your<br />
application.<br />
www.mrsa.com.au<br />
Vice-Chancellor’s Citations<br />
Melbourne Airport<br />
Chair <strong>of</strong> Marketing,<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Michael<br />
Polonsky PhD <strong>and</strong><br />
Course Co-ordinator,<br />
Hospitality <strong>and</strong> Tourism<br />
Marketing, Ruhi Yaman<br />
PhD have each received<br />
the “Vice-Chancellor<br />
Citation for Excellence in Research”.<br />
In Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Polonsky’s case, the citation was<br />
a career recognition award. In Ruhi Yaman’s<br />
instance, it was specific to study that formed<br />
the essential part <strong>of</strong> his PhD dissertation.<br />
Masters <strong>of</strong> the Game<br />
It has been harder to keep these good men<br />
<strong>and</strong> women down since their graduation<br />
with Masters in Marketing degrees last year.<br />
The three, Urban <strong>and</strong> Regional L<strong>and</strong><br />
Corporation, Marketing Manager, John<br />
Thompson,Vencorp Marketing Services<br />
Manager, Mark Riley <strong>and</strong> <strong>Business</strong><br />
Development Concepts, Managing Director,<br />
Helinka Panzera, already had established<br />
business careers, but elected to enhance their<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional skills by adding this prestigious<br />
qualification. Unfortunately, Helen was not<br />
available for this photograph which features<br />
(left to right): John Thompson, HTM’s Dr<br />
Ruhi Yaman <strong>and</strong> Mark Riley.<br />
Training in training<br />
Senior Lecturer in Marketing, Jeffrey Kidd,<br />
recently completed a Certificate IV course<br />
in Assessment <strong>and</strong> Workplace Training at<br />
Swinburne <strong>University</strong>. It reflects the School<br />
<strong>of</strong> HTM’s commitment to keep staff up to<br />
date with the latest trends <strong>and</strong> technology in<br />
this field.<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
6<br />
School <strong>of</strong> Hospitality,Tourism & Marketing
New advisor<br />
Tourism<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong>’s<br />
Deputy Chief<br />
Executive,<br />
Wayne Kayler-<br />
Thomson, has<br />
joined the<br />
School <strong>of</strong><br />
HTM’s<br />
Programs<br />
Advisory<br />
Committee.<br />
Mr Kayler-<br />
Thomson has had regular pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
contact with VU staff over the last<br />
seven years <strong>and</strong> is pleased the<br />
education sector is proactively seeking<br />
closer integration with the tourism<br />
industry.<br />
“<strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>University</strong> is a leader in<br />
developing industry collaboration <strong>and</strong><br />
delivery <strong>of</strong> quality education <strong>and</strong> I am<br />
delighted to have the opportunity to<br />
contribute to developing closer<br />
industry-education co-operation,” he<br />
said.<br />
Mr Kayler-Thomson is also<br />
Chairman <strong>of</strong> the Australian Regional<br />
Tourism Network <strong>and</strong> the<br />
Management Board <strong>of</strong> the Centre for<br />
Regional Tourism Research.<br />
Leader from Lonely<br />
Planet l<strong>and</strong>s at VU<br />
Tony Wheeler,<br />
the head <strong>of</strong><br />
international<br />
travel<br />
publishing<br />
phenomenon,<br />
Lonely Planet,<br />
is joining the<br />
School <strong>of</strong><br />
HTM as<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essorial<br />
Associate.<br />
There are few<br />
people on the planet who have<br />
explored as many corners <strong>of</strong> it<br />
Head <strong>of</strong> the School <strong>of</strong> HTM, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
Brian King, said Tony’s encyclopaedic<br />
knowledge <strong>of</strong> world destinations <strong>and</strong><br />
his commercial acumen would be<br />
welcome additions to the specialist<br />
expertise <strong>and</strong> skills within the School.<br />
“He is one <strong>of</strong> very few Australians who<br />
can claim to be a global figure <strong>and</strong><br />
influencer in worldwide tourism,”<br />
Brian said.<br />
“Our students <strong>and</strong> staff will benefit<br />
from their association with him <strong>and</strong> his<br />
company will provide invaluable<br />
resources <strong>and</strong> Co-op placement<br />
opportunities for us.”<br />
In Class<br />
Course makes a refreshing change<br />
Many people can nominate their favourite<br />
beer or wine. Some can only narrow it down<br />
to a br<strong>and</strong> or a grape variety. These measures<br />
are not enough for people getting serious<br />
about careers in hospitality, particularly<br />
students enrolled in the School <strong>of</strong> HTM’s<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Wine <strong>and</strong> Beverage Studies<br />
subject.<br />
This subject is unique in more ways than<br />
one.There are no prerequisites for enrolment<br />
in it, other than you need to be prepared to<br />
savour the odd drop <strong>of</strong> alcohol.This<br />
m<strong>and</strong>atory requirement has not proved a<br />
major hurdle to many prospective enrolments.<br />
Guest tutors in this program are seasoned<br />
beverage tasters. Recently, acclaimed<br />
winemaker <strong>and</strong> consultant, Gary Baldwin, <strong>and</strong><br />
beer expert <strong>and</strong> boutique publican, Graeme<br />
Calder, presented.<br />
Maldives students aim higher<br />
The Maldives are internationally renowned as<br />
jewels <strong>of</strong> the Indian Ocean.Tourism is the<br />
primary industry for this small group <strong>of</strong><br />
isl<strong>and</strong>s, which have received much publicity<br />
for their concerns about global warming <strong>and</strong><br />
the potential impact <strong>of</strong> rising sea levels on<br />
their l<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Students Zakkiya Moosa, Zeenaz Hussain <strong>and</strong><br />
Ahmed Samah (pictured right) are attending<br />
VU’s School <strong>of</strong> Hospitality,Tourism <strong>and</strong><br />
Marketing with the assistance <strong>of</strong> a Maldives<br />
government scholarship to complete their<br />
Bachelor <strong>of</strong> <strong>Business</strong> degrees in Hospitality<br />
Management.<br />
“There is great dem<strong>and</strong> for qualified<br />
hospitality <strong>and</strong> tourism workers in the<br />
Maldives,” they said.<br />
“The education programs <strong>of</strong>fered by<br />
Australian universities were very tempting<br />
compared with other countries.<br />
We are studying at VU because it is one<br />
<strong>of</strong> the leading universities in Australia in<br />
these fields.”<br />
Gary is in hot dem<strong>and</strong> as a consultant to<br />
wineries <strong>and</strong> winemakers, as a judge in wine<br />
competitions, <strong>and</strong> as an industry advisor. His<br />
formal qualifications in biochemistry <strong>and</strong><br />
wine science have provided a formidable<br />
backdrop to his h<strong>and</strong>s-on winemaking<br />
experience as former Chief Winemaker <strong>and</strong><br />
General Manager <strong>of</strong> Arrowfield Wines.<br />
Graeme Calder still likes a cold one <strong>and</strong>,<br />
more <strong>of</strong>ten than not, a warm one. He is a<br />
partner in the Br<strong>and</strong>on Hotel in North<br />
Carlton, one <strong>of</strong> four establishments in<br />
Australia specialising in conditioning <strong>and</strong><br />
serving real ales in the traditional British<br />
manner.<br />
He is a keen observer <strong>of</strong> the market<br />
successes <strong>and</strong> failures <strong>of</strong> hundreds <strong>of</strong><br />
Australian <strong>and</strong> international beers, that have<br />
come, endured or disappeared.<br />
The three already have Higher National<br />
Diplomas from their home country in<br />
Hospitality <strong>Business</strong> Management.They work<br />
at different resorts on the isl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> have<br />
provided hospitality training for other staff.<br />
Higher qualifications will enable them to “go<br />
up the ladder” in the Maldives.<br />
Their diplomas <strong>and</strong> work experience have<br />
earned them sufficient credits to complete<br />
their VU degrees in only one year.<br />
“We have found the VU study programs very<br />
inspiring <strong>and</strong> challenging,” they said.<br />
co-op • tourism • hospitality • marketing • travel • careers • achievement • awards • goals<br />
directions<br />
alumni<br />
BEN’s<br />
brush with fame<br />
What a client list! Ben Kelly can boast one <strong>of</strong> the most<br />
illustrious in the world <strong>and</strong> all because <strong>of</strong> a dream<br />
Co-op placement at one <strong>of</strong> London’s most salubrious hotels, The<br />
Connaught, at the top <strong>of</strong> the Monopoly board in Mayfair. The<br />
Connaught is one <strong>of</strong> five Savoy properties in the UK.<br />
The right job would be music to his ears<br />
Combining one <strong>of</strong> life’s great pleasures with<br />
completion <strong>of</strong> a university degree seemed an<br />
outst<strong>and</strong>ing opportunity to Colin Barrass, who<br />
recently graduated with a BBus Music Industry.<br />
HTM marketing lecturer, P<strong>and</strong>ora Kay recently<br />
caught up with Colin while on a teaching<br />
assignment at Sunway.Colin chose to complete<br />
his degree at Sunway College in<br />
the Petaling Jaya area <strong>of</strong><br />
Malaysia, a strategy that<br />
required some careful<br />
long-range planning<br />
early in his VU<br />
course.<br />
He only had electives to complete by the time he<br />
went to Sunway <strong>and</strong> many <strong>of</strong> these were<br />
marketing-related subjects.<br />
“I completed my degree at Sunway to get the most<br />
out <strong>of</strong> my university experience. Travel is<br />
something I undertake for pleasure. The<br />
opportunity to combine the experience <strong>of</strong> living in<br />
another country as well as develop my academic,<br />
personal <strong>and</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional pr<strong>of</strong>ile was too good<br />
to pass up.<br />
“Gaining work in the music industry is<br />
particularly difficult. I will continue to<br />
pursue any avenues available to me. I also<br />
have a keen interest in economics <strong>and</strong> I<br />
am looking at working in that field also.<br />
“Having gained experience in a<br />
business/economics environment, I will<br />
continue to assess my suitability for a job in the<br />
music industry <strong>and</strong> apply as appropriate,” he says.<br />
But back to Ben’s client list, which has included<br />
Princess Sophie, Lady Spencer, Margaret<br />
Thatcher, Jack Nicholson, Sidney Poitier <strong>and</strong><br />
Joan Collins. Add to these a list <strong>of</strong> prominent<br />
politicians <strong>and</strong> diplomats <strong>and</strong> you have a pretty<br />
impressive list.<br />
Ben (pictured second from right) began his Coop<br />
year in the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant<br />
doing everything from polishing the silver<br />
(naturally it is silver service) to working the<br />
carvery trolley <strong>and</strong> presenting a delectable array<br />
<strong>of</strong> sweets to discerning, but tempted, guests.<br />
“My Co-op position placed great dem<strong>and</strong>s on<br />
me. Being a French restaurant, the menu was<br />
written in French, the kitchen staff spoke in<br />
French <strong>and</strong> the service dem<strong>and</strong>ed the best in<br />
French elegance.<br />
“I was the sole employee speaking English as my<br />
mother tongue. My school-level French had not<br />
equipped me to be fluent with the names <strong>of</strong> the<br />
dishes we <strong>of</strong>fered <strong>and</strong> I was slow to pick it up.<br />
The task was not made easier by the fact that we<br />
served more than 80 French dishes,” he says.<br />
As time passed <strong>and</strong> communication with<br />
colleagues became easier, Ben says there was<br />
plenty <strong>of</strong> humour shared by the staff. It also<br />
enabled him to learn from pr<strong>of</strong>essionals, most <strong>of</strong><br />
whom had worked with the Savoy group for at<br />
least a decade.<br />
Ben was promoted to Chef de Rang, but is now<br />
back in Melbourne, where he is completing his<br />
BBus Catering <strong>and</strong> Hotel Management.<br />
9
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
SUNBURY CELEBRATION<br />
Top honours to Olga Kostrevski <strong>and</strong> Mark Veliscek, pictured here with<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>. Brian King (centre), two Marketing Honours students who this<br />
year achieved outst<strong>and</strong>ing results to receive our inaugural honours<br />
scholarship to undertake further study.<br />
Where are they<br />
NOW?<br />
Brendan Halloran (B Bus Travel & Tourism Mgmt, <strong>2002</strong>)<br />
Market Analyst, Research Unit, Tourism <strong>Victoria</strong>, Melbourne<br />
Alison Chalk (B Bus Tourism Mgmt,1998) Event Team, The<br />
Mansion Hotel at Werribee Park, Werribee<br />
Melinda Anderson (Masters Tourism Management,1999)<br />
Acting Executive Director, Ballarat Tourism, Ballarat<br />
Jacqui Charlton (B Bus Travel & Tourism Management, 2001)<br />
Online Communications Coordinator, Tourism <strong>Victoria</strong>, Melbourne<br />
Greg Hooton (Masters, Tourism Management (1991)<br />
Director, Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show,<br />
Melbourne<br />
Susie Brown (Masters Tourism<br />
Management, 1999) Lecturer,<br />
Swinburne <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
Technology, Lilydale<br />
Adelia Ratih Guest Relations<br />
Assistant Manager, C’s Restaurant,<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong> Hyatt, Jakarta<br />
Susanne Vergers (B Bus Catering & Hotel<br />
Mgmt, 1989) Organisational Development, Job<br />
Futures <strong>and</strong> Open Employment, Byron Bay<br />
Alison Duff-Tyler (B Bus Tourism Mgmt, 2000) Tour<br />
Consultant, Coach Tours <strong>of</strong> Australia, Sunbury<br />
It’s many years since Billie Thorpe <strong>and</strong> the<br />
Aztecs wowed the crowd at Sunbury, but the<br />
satellite suburb to Melbourne’s north still rocks<br />
as some <strong>of</strong> our recent graduates celebrate<br />
moves into exciting marketing positions.<br />
Bronwyn Hunt (pictured on the left) is<br />
promoting events <strong>and</strong> entertainers with<br />
Mollison Consulting in South Melbourne.<br />
She says she cannot begin to describe her<br />
working day, as the variety makes an ordinary<br />
day at the <strong>of</strong>fice a rare event.<br />
Some concept <strong>of</strong> the excitement is reflected in<br />
Mollison’s client list, which includes Edgley<br />
CONTINUES<br />
International, Luna Park, The Production<br />
Company, the Geelong Performing Arts Centre,<br />
NICA <strong>and</strong> Playbox. Bronwyn has recently<br />
been promoting the Moscow Circus <strong>and</strong><br />
Luna Park. Bronwyn’s fellow graduate Amber<br />
Fouracre is also gainfully employed having<br />
taken a marketing graduate position with<br />
communications equipment company,<br />
Upstream Technology.<br />
Joh McIntosh is now permanently employed in<br />
the marketing department <strong>of</strong> The Shaver Shop.<br />
COOL AS ICE<br />
I.C.E. Imagine Create Enjoy.<br />
Graduate Saxon Mitchell has lived<br />
on the strength <strong>of</strong> those words since<br />
1999 <strong>and</strong> the success <strong>of</strong> Saxon <strong>and</strong> his<br />
partners in ICE Events was evident at the<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>University</strong> Alumni Ball in April.<br />
Saxon describes ICE Events as a diversified<br />
hospitality company. This year, he merged the<br />
business with David Southwick Entertainment<br />
<strong>and</strong> Soda Pop to <strong>of</strong>fer specialised entertainment<br />
services under one ro<strong>of</strong>.<br />
The company created a spectacular mix <strong>of</strong><br />
entertainment, catering <strong>and</strong> staffing for the<br />
Alumni Ball, including a specific menu tailored<br />
to the Sideshow Carnival theme <strong>of</strong> the event.<br />
“ICE Events creates programs in tune with the<br />
client’s vision. It provides clients with a<br />
dedicated project manager to consult on all<br />
aspects <strong>of</strong> event production <strong>and</strong> management,”<br />
Saxon says.<br />
Saxon graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Business</strong> – Catering <strong>and</strong> Hotel Management.<br />
His e-mail is saxonm@iceevents.net.au.