Gympie high school teacher wins Salute to Excellence glory

Gympie came away with a winner in the 2021 Queensland Salute to Excellence Awards, with James Nash teacher Donna Jenkin taking out Runner Up in the Teacher/Trainer category.

Staff Reporter

4 min read

July 28, 2021 - 7:00AM

Gympie

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Winners have been revealed for the Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s 24th annual Salute to Excellence Awards.

The program recognises outstanding secondary students, employers, schools and registered training organisations for their contribution to skill development in the tourism and hospitality industry.

It was a tough competition, with 33 people involved in the program this year, one of the highest number of participants in years.

Gympie came away with a winner with teacher Donna Jenkin from James Nash State High School taking out Runner Up in the Teacher/Trainer category.

Ms Jenkin said:

“I love the people, creativity, innovation of the industry and being able to demonstrate my skills.

“I have enjoyed the support from my team throughout the Awards and the motivation it creates in the students as well.

“It is wonderful to gain recognition for my department and to shine a spotlight on our amazing students”.

QTIC Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind congratulated the winners and said the program is a great way to encourage and foster the next generation of leaders in our industry at a time when tourism is in desperate need of more staff.

“Well done to all winners and finalists! The past 12 months has been turbulent for our industry but to see the passion and enthusiasm in both students and teachers for our industry is encouraging.

“The Salute to Excellence Awards is a great stepping-stone into the industry and we take pride in seeing participants continue their journey to go on to be a chef, hotel manager, travel consultants, event managers and more,” Mr Gschwind said.

To date QTIC has had more than 128 schools across Queensland participate in the awards including 600 finalists, and 73 winners. Encouraging people to consider the tourism and hospitality industry as a career choice is essential to the growth of the sector.

Minister for Training and Skills Development, Di Farmer, said it is great to support programs such as the Salute to Excellence Awards that acknowledge emerging professionals who undertake school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.

Minister Farmer said it is great to support programs such as the Salute to Excellence Awards that acknowledge emerging professionals who undertake school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.

“It’s an absolute pleasure to see the excellent training that’s being delivered in the tourism and hospitality industries, and I want to congratulate all the winners and finalists on their achievements.

“Wherever you are in Queensland, you deserve access to the very best training to help you get the job of your dreams.

“The Palaszczuk Government is absolutely committed to providing these opportunities to Queenslanders, which is why we invest in training and skills in our COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan and it’s why there was over $1 billion for it in the recent budget.

“I look forward to seeing what today’s winners and finalists go on to accomplish.”

The tourism and hospitality sector is made up of a successful partnership between employees, Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe congratulated this year’s winners and finalists, highlighting the importance of building up a professional workforce to meet future demand for when Queensland tourism rebounds.

“The Salute to Excellence Awards is a terrific way to promote careers and to inspire both students and teachers in the incredible opportunities in tourism.

“Quality training leads to quality services and quality experiences for visitors - a vital ingredient for Queensland’s continued success.

“We need to celebrate the passion and achievements of these young, aspiring professionals and support them on their tourism journey.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to supporting the tourism industry and maximising the tourism opportunities as we embrace a 2032 Olymlpic Games in Queensland. employers, government, and industry organisations.

Judges this year were Douglas Innes-Wil (Executive Chef, GOMA), Rahul Raj (Director of Food and Beverage (Accor – Mercure and IBIS Brisbane), Adrienne Putelli (Human Resource Manager Hilton Hotel Brisbane), Michelle Christoe (Director NightQuarter an Malt Shovel Taphouse), Karen Hellsten (Managing Director Mountain Wine Tours), Abbey Filko (Marketing and Sales Manager Airtrain), Arwen McGregor (Director Devon Pixies), Helen Shoubridge (Manager Hinchinbrook Resort), Dr Natasha Montesalvo (Principal Consultant, Destinations, Strategy and Insights EarthCheck).

An event like this would not be possible without supportive industry sponsor; Queensland Government, Tafe Queensland, Hostplus, The Hotel School, Fun Over Fifty, Riverlife, The Star Culinary Group, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Job Skills Queensland, Outback Spectacular, Surf Connect, Institute of Culinary Excellence and Australia Zoo.

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Winners:

Cookery Category

Winner: Abbey Kuhnell – Mount Saint Patrick College Murwillumbah

Runner Up: Erik Brown – Rochedale State High School

Finalist: Charlotte Fehser – South Bank Tafe

Finalist: Ethan Alborn – Helensvale State High School

Finalist: Hayden Drewett – Brisbane Bayside State College

Finalist: Henry Bibby – Brisbane Bayside State High School

Finalist: Cadence Purkis-Arthur – Kirwan State High School

Finalist: Shaeleigh Shearer – Calamvale Community College

Finalist: Liam Wooltorton – Helensvale State High School