VU shapes the future of tourism & hospitality education

The VU School for the Visitor Economy and the TAFE Hospitality, Tourism, and Events team were honored at two prestigious annual awards ceremonies.

Gold at Victorian Tourism Awards  

For 38 years, the Victorian Tourism Awards have showcased the state’s leaders in tourism excellence. Delivered by the Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC), the Awards acknowledge excellence in the sector, encouraging businesses to meet and exceed industry standards. 

In a highlight of the 2024 Victorian Tourism Awards Gala Ceremony on 21 November 2024, VU was awarded Gold Winner for the Tourism Education and Training Award. This recognises VU’s strength, breadth and innovation in tourism education with a full range of tourism, hospitality, and event management programs from pre-vocational certificates through to PhDs. 

Wayne Buton, Chief TAFE Officer said:  

I had the pleasure of attending the Victorian Tourism Awards with an exceptional team from the School for the Visitor Economy (SVE). As a virtual college, SVE encompasses vocational education programs, undergraduate programs and industry-leading research – embodying VU’s strategic driver “Doing Dual Differently".

The achievement is a testament to the dedication and impact of the VU team, including the late Associate Professor Joanne Pyke, inaugural Director of the VU School for the Visitor Economy. 

In memory of Associate Professor Joanne Pyke  

In honour of Associate Professor Joanne Pyke's remarkable contributions to the tourism industry, the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) has renamed the Victorian Tourism Young Achiever’s Award after her. The new award title recognises Dr Pyke's legacy of fostering industry growth, inspiring young people to pursue careers in tourism, and developing skilled, compassionate, and talented young leaders to strengthen the sector.

The tribute to Associate Professor Pyke was presented at a VTIC event attended by over 1,000 people, and the first 'Associate Professor Dr Joanne Pyke Young Achiever’s Award' went to Lucy Dewhurst.

VenU Charity Dinner Series awarded at Tourism Training Australia Awards 

At the 2024 Tourism Training Australia  Awards, presented during a gala event on 26 November, the VU TAFE Hospitality, Tourism, and Events team won 'Best Foodservice Outlet Training Initiative'. This recognition was for their outstanding work on the Victoria University TAFE Charity Dinner Series.

Running annually since 2018, the Charity Dinner Series brings together VU TAFE students in hospitality, cookery, and event management to collaborate with a leading chef and VU teachers. Together, they organise a professional-grade dining event, managing every aspect – from food preparation and front-of-house service to marketing. All proceeds from the event are donated to charity.

These events are held at VenU Restaurant, VU’s student-run restaurant where apprentice chefs and hospitality cookery students hone their skills under expert guidance. Typically, the Charity Dinners feature a degustation menu – and they’re always a night to remember. 

Since its establishment in 2018, this dining series has raised $50,000 for charity.