Summer 2011-12
Welcome to the summer issue of the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management e-newsletter.
Congratulations to our former student Matthew Simpson, who has been named Queensland Tourism's Young Achiever of the Year. This is a wonderful achievement for Matthew, who completed his Bachelor of Business in Hotel and Resort Management at our Coffs Harbour campus.
We were pleased to host the inaugural Australasian Regional Food Cultures and Networks Conference in late November, bringing together a range of industry representatives and academics to discuss the role food plays in developing regional cultures.
We are also delighted to be supporting Ethno Australia, which will bring together musicians from around the world for events in northern NSW, the Gold Coast and south-east Queensland this summer.
I wish you all a happy and safe Christmas and New Year and look forward to sharing more news from the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management in 2012.
Professor Sandra Speedy
Head of School of Tourism and Hospitality Management
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Former SCU student is Queensland Tourism's Young Achiever of the Year
Attention to detail is the key ingredient to becoming a successful general manager of a hotel, according to former Southern Cross University student Matthew Simpson.
Mr Simpson, who is now the general manager of Brisbane's Spicers Balfour Hotel, won the Young Achievers Award at the Queensland Tourism Awards recently.
The award recognises an individual, under the age of 32, who has contributed to the development of a vibrant and professional industry.
Researcher looks at impact of Rally
The economic impact of the recent round of the World Rally Championship on the Coffs Coast varied widely, according to Southern Cross University Postdoctoral Research Fellow Arianne Reis.
Rhythm of Ethno puts a stamp on Music Hub
World-renowned yodellers, accordionists, fiddlers and percussionists are just some of the musicians who are converging on the Gold Coast for the first ever Ethno Australia.
Inaugural food conference a hit
The inaugural Australasian Regional Food Cultures and Networks Conference proved a hit among industry stakeholders and academics as new products were launched, ideas exchanged and valuable networking conducted.
New distribution model builds steam
A cutting edge short supply chain engineered by a Southern Cross University researcher could change the way food is delivered from farmers to consumers.
Avis Scholarship continues
Victorian travel agent Claudia Silk won the prestigious 15th annual Avis Travel Agent Scholarship of Excellence, an award partly sponsored by Southern Cross University's School of Tourism and Hospitality.
Meet our staff
Simon Black - corporate student recruitment officer for the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management.
Former student named Queensland Tourism's Young Achiever of the Year
YOUNG ACHIEVER: Former SCU student Matthew Simpson is Queensland Tourism's Young Achiever of the Year.Attention to detail is the key ingredient to becoming a successful general manager of a hotel, according to former Southern Cross University student Matthew Simpson.
Mr Simpson, who is now the general manager of Brisbane's Spicers Balfour Hotel, won the Young Achievers Award at the Queensland Tourism Awards recently. The award recognises an individual, under the age of 32, who has contributed to the development of a vibrant and professional industry.
The 29-year-old studied for a Bachelor of Business specialising in Hotel and Resort Management at Southern Cross University's Coffs Harbour campus before embarking on his career.
"To be a successful general manager you have to be really passionate about the industry: a catalyst for achievement is to be able to listen, empower and motivate others. Good use of perception skills is vital, with the ability to read people and adapt leadership styles accordingly," Mr Simpson said.
"You have to have the commitment and desire to work in all areas of hospitality to appreciate the role of a general manager."
Mr Simpson started his career at London's St Giles Hotel as part of his internship requirements for his degree.
"The placement was recommended by SCU and it was fantastic. I actually bumped into another student who went to SCU the year ahead of me working at St Giles. I started off in reception and within a year I was the duty manager of a 650 room property," he said.
In 2005, Mr Simpson returned to Australia ready to transfer the skills and knowledge he had gained during his international experience to the Australian tourism industry. Since then, Matthew has had extensive management experience and has refined his skills further. He worked as a reservation and events co-ordinator for Peppers Salt Resort and Spa and as a business development manager for the Mantra Group overseeing conference and incentive sales for 150 properties.
He then was appointed general manager for the Spicers Peak Lodge in 2008, at the age of 25, before opening and managing Spicers Balfour Hotel in New Farm.
"To win the award was a surprise. I have worked extremely hard for it with a determination to change the perception that hospitality is not traditionally seen as a career to aspire to. Hopefully now I can give back to new entrants to the tourism industry by coaching and developing my team to breed another generation of Queensland tourism leaders," Mr Simpson said.
"I've lived and breathed my work but it's been worth it."
Researcher looks at impact of World Rally Championship on the Coffs Coast
RALLY AROUND: Dr Arianne Reis has found the economic impact of the World Rally Championships on the Coffs Coast varied greatly between businesses and shires.The economic impact of the World Rally Championship on businesses on the Coffs Coast varied widely, according to Southern Cross University Postdoctoral Research Fellow Arianne Reis.
Dr Reis, attached to the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, was commissioned to do the study by the four councils in which the rally was conducted including Coffs Harbour, Clarence Valley, Bellingen and Nambucca shires.
"Some businesses reported less trading but some reported more," she said.
"Impacts varied largely between shires, with some reporting significant social benefits, despite more neutral economic impacts.
"Most of the economic benefit was concentrated on the accommodation sector, but that was mostly in Coffs Harbour, which was the base for the Rally.
"There was a degree of disappointment directed towards the organisers of the Rally as many of the businesses did not think the amount of people expected to come eventuated.
"Despite this, the overwhelming majority of businesses, whether they made money or not, want the Rally to return.
"You can put this down particularly to the feeling of pride the region can get by holding such a high profile event."
The basis of Dr Reis' findings were on 226 surveys completed by businesses based in the region. According to Dr Reis' report, approximately an extra $460,000 was recorded as additional revenue by the businesses surveyed and 34 per cent of businesses indicated that they had additional customers compared to the same time the previous year.
However, a noteworthy proportion of businesses also reported losses due to the event, in some cases recording losses up to $25,000. Based on aggregated data the net gain the event had on the Coffs Coast, strictly measured by profits and losses directly indicated by the surveyed businesses was $84,475.
"Although this total is a positive result, it is important to note that significant losses were also reported by a high percentage of the participants, which indicates that benefits were not evenly spread within the community," Dr Reis said.
"In general, the event was considered positive by the business community, particularly if the event returns and some mistakes are avoided. Several respondents mentioned the long-term benefits that may be derived from the positive exposure of the region to other markets, possibly attracting new visitors and trade to the region."
Dr Reis also found that businesses said they would now know how to better prepare for the event to maximise income after the 2011 race. The councils and businesses expect the Rally to return in 2013.
The WRC round on the Coffs Coast this year was the first time the event had been held on the Mid North Coast. In 2009, the event was held on the Tweed Coast but organisers shifted the event after continued community protests.
Rhythm of Ethno puts a stamp on Music Hub
FOLKS FROM ALL OVER: Folk musicians from around the world are on the Gold Coast to participate in Ethno Australia.World-renowned yodellers, accordionists, fiddlers and percussionists are just some of the musicians that are combining on the Gold Coast for the first ever Ethno Australia.
Ethno Australia, which has been sponsored by Southern Cross University's Research Centre for Tourism, Leisure and Work and School of Arts and Social Sciences, the Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre and world music organisation the Wantok Foundation, has brought together more than 40 folk musicians from around the world to collaborate and exchange ideas in a 14-day intensive music program. It started on December 14.
The camp will see the musicians taking the stage regularly around south east Queensland and northern NSW. They will start with a prelude performance to the Coolangatta Christmas Carols at Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta, on December 18. On December 22, all of the musicians will perform for a live audience which will be recorded at Studio ONE29 at Southern Cross University's Lismore campus. On December 23,Ethno will perform at King George Square in Brisbane as part of the Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre's World By Night Festival and then from December 27 the musicians will head north to perform at the acclaimed Woodford Folk Festival in front of thousands of spectators.
The Ethno movement is well known in Europe – with annual camps in Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Sweden and Uganda – but this is the first Ethno camp to be held in the Southern Hemisphere. Ethno is a project whereby traditional/folk musicians from a range of countries and aged between 15 and 28 meet to teach other, by ear, traditional folk songs from their respective cultures. This is done through a combination of workshops, jam sessions, seminars and performances.
Ethno Australia includes musicians from India, Thailand, Europe, Polynesia, Melanesia, Brazil, Chile, Israel and Australia. Ethno Australia is one of a number of projects that have been organised through the Southern Gold Coast Music Hub, a partnership between Southern Cross University and Connecting Southern Gold Coast.
Professor Kerry Brown, director of Southern Cross University's Research Centre for Tourism, Leisure and Work, is looking forward to the first Southern Hemisphere Ethno Camp.
"This is a new and exciting concept for Australia which will provide an opportunity for rich research into emergent global networks for cultural exchange and music," she said.
"The Research Centre for Tourism, Leisure and Work is delighted to host the first Ethno event in Australia and looks forward to showcasing the Southern Gold Coast to international visitors."
Head of the School of Arts and Social Sciences at Southern Cross University, Professor Mike Evans, agreed that research opportunities would be a welcome outcome from the unique music event.
"The School of Arts and Social Sciences is delighted that our fantastic concert space in Studio ONE29 can help Southern Cross University establish a research presence in this space," he said.
"Researchers in our contemporary music program, across the School, and University can benefit from initiatives like this one."
Ben Farr-Wharton, of the Research Centre is coordinating the event. The musicians will be staying at the Currumbin Valley Community Farm while on the Gold Coast.
Ethno Australia continues to enhance the reputation of the Music Hub which has been involved in a further two events in the past six weeks.
Recently the Music Hub was involved in organising the busking competition at the popular Kirra Kite Festival. The following weekend the team, in conjunction with Gold Coast City Council, ran the first Summer of Fun concert series at Laguna Park, Palm Beach. The Summer Series is a free series of concerts held across the Gold Coast, utilising the city's many parks and gardens. The Music Hub enticed the four acts to play at Palm Beach, including Halcyon Days, Josh Lovegrove, Barefoot Fridays and Owen Hogan. The Summer Series enhances Southern Cross University's links with the Southern Gold Coast community. The Music Hub will also be involved in a second Summer Series concert on February 26 at Coolangatta.
Food conference a hit for industry and academia
GREAT LAUNCH: Narelle West from West Farms launched a new line of meal accompaniments at the inaugural Australasian Regional Food Cultrues and Networks Conference.The inaugural Australasian Regional Food Cultures and Networks Conference proved a hit among industry stakeholders and academics as new products were launched, ideas exchanged and valuable networking conducted.
Hosted by Southern Cross University's School of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Kingscliff on November 29 and 30, the conference brought academics and industry together to talk about issues affecting 'paddock to plate' and the role food plays in developing regional cultures. About 100 people attended the two day conference with delegates coming as far away as New Zealand. Next year's conference is already being planned as a result.
One of the organisers Professor Phil Hayward, the director of the Higher Degree Research Unit at Southern Cross University, was pleased with the how the event was received.
"The conference was a major success in getting producers, industry leaders and researchers together in dialogue and has laid a firm foundation for future initiatives in this area – very gratifying for all concerned," Professor Hayward said.
The conference was opened by the chief executive of the Australian Food and Grocery Council Kate Carnell who spoke about the difficulties facing food producers in Australia. She outlined the challenges and the opportunities facing the food and grocery sector which is the eighth largest industry in Australia with an annual turnover of $108 billion. The sector also employs 312,000 people, half of which reside in rural communities.
A number of presentations captured the imagination including Dr Robert Smith's take on 'The meat pie in folk culture and tourism: Can the best get even better?' In his study, Dr Smith recommends that meat pies in Australasia should have a Michelin-star type of rating system. He also argues that the creation of a meat pie trail could guard against the economic downturn for bakeries that reside in towns that are being bypassed by the continued upgrade of the Pacific Highway.
Meanwhile, The Australasian-Pacific Journal of Regional Food Studies called Locale was launched at the conference by editor Susie Khamis. It is supported by the University's School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. And to show industry embraced the event as well, farmer Narelle West of West Farms, launched a new line of gourmet food accompaniments called Kent's Produce, while Nimbin Valley Dairy announced they would be branching out into producing ice cream.
New distribution model builds steam
IN DEMAND: Rose Wright has engineered a new short supply chain between farmers and consumers.A cutting edge short supply chain engineered by a Southern Cross University researcher could change the way food is delivered from farmers to consumers.
Rose Wright, the manager for research extension which is attached to the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, presented her distribution model at the Australasian Regional Food Cultures and Networks Conference at Kingscliff.
Mrs Wright is advocating the creation of regional food networks, with local farmers selling some or all of their products through locally based coordinated trading systems before sending their surplus onto the central markets. This would make each region within Australia partway self sufficient while also returning a measure of the cost of food, back to the farmer rather than being wasted on the current complex distribution systems. It would also reduce the miles food travels between the paddock and the plate and support regional sustainability goals.
"The idea is not reinventing the wheel but slightly modifying our current system and behaviour. How we ended up with a system that sees regional food being taken to the city and then sold and transported back to where it was grown in the first place is incomprehensible," she said.
"There is clear evidence that supports the need and merits of a short supply chain but we will have to change the way we've done business for years to make it happen. My model strips away multiple layers out of the chain and gives control back to farmers who usually lose control of their product once it hits the central markets and provides clear choice for consumers. It also maximises the profits for the farmers. It could make farming more viable."
Mrs Wright, although an advocate for local farmers' markets, said these alone do not offer all consumers the right balance of convenience, price or quality that they crave.
"Farmers markets affect only a small segment of consumers and farmers," she said.
"They can have a huge benefit to the farmer and they are critical in developing a food culture, but they are only one component of a regional food system and not the only solution.
"For local food networks to move ahead they need to include numerous points of sale including independent retailers and supermarkets and the proper accreditation that stipulates the food is grown in the region it is being sold."
Mrs Wright has helped growers set up a food network in Tropical Far North Queensland and is also in the process of working with stakeholders in Toowoomba, South Burnett and the Granite Belt.
Avis Scholarship continues
WINNERS ARE GRINNERS: Victorian Claudia Silk won the AVIS Travel Agent Scholarship of Excellence recently.Victorian travel agent Claudia Silk won the prestigious 15th annual Avis Travel Agent Scholarship of Excellence, an award partly sponsored by Southern Cross University's School of Tourism and Hospitality.
The School's contribution for the winner of the Scholarship of Excellence is one year's paid enrolment in the first year of the Bachelor of Business in Tourism Management. Ms Silk was chosen from five finalists.
Deputy Head of School, Dr Erica Wilson, attended the high profile event at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney on November 8. Dr Wilson was part of the judging panel, which included some of Australia's top tourism industry professionals.
Applicants had to submit a written proposal and then make a formal presentation to the panel at the Four Seasons.
"As I was last year, I was again impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication that these travel agents demonstrated. They truly are Australia's best in terms of offering excellence in customer service," Dr Wilson said.
"Each applicant gave such interesting examples of what they did to go that one step above and beyond to make ordinary service extraordinary.
"The School of Tourism and Hospitality Management is delighted to support the AVIS Scholarship of Excellence for the second year in a row and we congratulate Claudia, from Travel Counsellors. We hope to see Claudia take up the opportunity with the University to build on her now award-winning customer service skills as a travel agent.
"We are pleased to say that we have committed to support the Scholarship for another three years. We very much see the importance in value in encouraging and rewarding customer service excellence in the tourism industry."
The Scholarship is valued at more than $45,000 and besides Southern Cross University's scholarship, includes two Qantas Business Class return tickets to New York; six nights luxury hotel accommodation; seven days car rental from Avis; four cruise training modules; automatic admission to the Travel Industry Mentor Experience; a one year honorary position on the Avis Travel Agents Advisory Board; and a tour of Avis' World Headquarters in New Jersey and site visits to US agencies.
Meet our staff - Simon Black
SIMON BLACK: The new corporate student recruitment officer working for the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management.What is your job at SCU?
I am the Corporate Student Recruitment Officer with the University's marketing and recruitment division for the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. I work closely with the tourism industry across Australia with the primary objective of increasing undergraduate and postgraduate enrolments from within the sector.
When and how did you come to SCU?
I started with the University in September after many years of working in sales and marketing and revenue management roles in hotels. The massive potential that I see for the University with the new Gold Coast campus lured me away from the hotel sector.
What's the best thing about your job?
Apart from working with such a passionate and professional team, I feel privileged to be part of the exciting phase that the University is currently in with the development and growth of the Gold Coast campus.
What were you good at in school?
Chinese burns and knuckles.
What's your favourite holiday destination?
Heron Island, a coral cay in the Capricornia region of the Great Barrier Reef is a very special place with an incredible abundance of marine and birdlife.
Favourite Holiday Experience?
Visiting Heron Island in early autumn and being able to see the last of the adult turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs and earlier nests of baby turtles hatching.
Ultimate Holiday Destinations?
Antartica and the Galapagos Islands.
What book is on your bedside table?
I've just started reading "The Rise and Rise of Kerry Packer".
What do you do for fun?
One of my favourite things is taking our three dogs to the beach which they absolutely love. Interests include travel, nature, gardening, football, kayaking, food and antiques.
Updated: 21 December 2011