Ms Ti-Ann Dalziel was born in Mosman in Far North Queensland but grew up in Gladstone from a young age. When she finished her secondary studies at Channel College, a Catholic co-ed college in Gladstone, she began thinking about a career path that offered the excitement of work and travel. After attending a Career Market in Gladstone in 1999, the choice became clear: the hospitality and travel industry.

Her choice of college also became clear: the Blue Mountains Hotel School. “I was attracted by the strong emphasis on practical training as well as theory,” says Ti-Ann. “Also, I liked the fact you could work and earn money as part of your course.”

Ti-Ann did her first placement with the Sheraton Mirage in Port Douglas. “I got experience in room service, fine-dining, functions, everything,” says Ti-Ann. Her second placement at the five-star Hilton in Perth gave her housekeeping and functions/banquets training.

Ti-Ann graduated in June 2001 with an Advanced Diploma and Swiss Diploma as well as the Student President’s Award for her contribution to the School community.

On graduation, Ti-Ann moved to Melbourne and began work as an F&B and functions/banquets temp with Pinnacle, a hospitality and recruitment agency who found her short-term assignments all over Melbourne. She then took up a permanent position with Crown Casino for 12 months in 2002, working in their restaurants and banquets department.

All this experience paid off when she was offered the job as a Recruitment Consultant in the Temp Department at Pinnacle. “Pinnacle has about 300-400 hospitality and travel temp staff on its books,” says Ti-Ann. “We have clients such as restaurants, hotels and functions venues who approach us to help recruit staff for their needs.” The job demands exceptional communication and people skills as well as good organisation and attention to detail.

“My education at BMHS prepared me well for my time out in industry,” says Ti-Ann. “Not only did I learn a wide range of skills for many different jobs but I also learned how to work with different people.”