Graduates urged to do Qtown proud

SUE FEA/The Southland Times

Done it: (From left) Queenstown Resort College students Elza Smit and Dave Clark (adventure tourism) and Dee Lennox (hospitality management) celebrate their graduation at the Heritage Hotel yesterday.

The world would have an extra 1.6 million tourism jobs by 2020 "so if you can't get a job out there you're useless", Ngai Tahu Tourism southern regional general manager David Kennedy joked with graduating Queenstown Resort College students yesterday.

The 49 students – 14 in adventure tourism and 35 in hospitality management – officially graduated with their diplomas in full academic regalia before family and friends.

Mr Kennedy, former Destination Queenstown chief executive, told the students they were now part of "the Queenstown Club" and carried with them the brand of Queenstown. "People will judge you and us by you, so no pressure, but make us proud."

Mr Kennedy said the entire Queenstown tourism industry was behind the graduates and they only had to call if they needed advice or assistance.

College chairman and founder Sir Eion Edgar read a letter of congratulations from Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce, who praised the work of the college.

Mr Edgar's advice to students was to "always remember to be happy to see any decision you make on the front page of your local newspaper ... tell the truth then you won't need to remember what you said and finally, clean your teeth – a smile and fresh breath get you a long way".

College chief executive Charlie Phillips described the graduates as "world-class professionals ready to hit the ground running" and about to make a difference in tourism nationally and overseas.

Hospitality management graduate Sophie Gibbs, who completed her internship at St Moritz Queenstown and Azur Lodge, already has.

Ms Gibbs, of Arrowtown, has been working for a high-profile German financier as stewardess and chef for his 16-year-old son on the son's own weekend superyacht. Home for her graduation, Ms Kelly flies back to France tomorrow to join the superyacht circuit.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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