Natasha Moss of the Mittagong Hotel is the worthy recipient of the 2nd annual AHA (NSW) Women in Tourism Scholarship Award.
NSW Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson announced the winner in front of a crowd of 300 industry representatives at Sydney’s Ivy Bar earlier this week.
Natasha (left), from Bargo, will now go on to further her hospitality career through the $20,000 scholarship – courtesy of AHA (NSW) – at the iconic Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School (BMIHMS).
In a surprise move at the presentation ceremony, the AHA (NSW) also announced it would provide an additional scholarship for $15,000 to runner-up Belinda Luxton (right) of Newcastle West, while Jerry Siden from the BMIHMS announced $10,000 for second runner-up Olivia Rowland (centre) of Bathurst.
AHA (NSW) CEO Sally Fielke said the surprise presentations were indicative of the closeness of the competition among the 10 finalists.
“It was certainly hard for the judges to separate the final three in particular,” Fielke said.
“All the finalists involved are a credit to their workplace and their region. The industry is certainly in safe hands if the quality of these applicants is anything to go by.
“The judges said they were simply overwhelmed by choice.
“Natasha and the runners-up in particular showed the drive, hard work and determination needed to fulfil dreams of a career in the hospitality industry.
”We wish her – and all the finalists – all the very best in the years ahead.”
Further details on the winner and runners-up:
- Natasha is a student at Picton High School and has also worked as a bar person at the popular local drinking spot the Mittagong Hotel since last November,
- Belinda is a Year 12 student at the Hunter Valley Grammar School and a well known performer in local eisteddfods,
- Olivia is a final year student of Bathurst’s Mackillop College and works part time at the Carrington Function Centre.
The $20,000 Women in Tourism Scholarship is made available through the AHA (NSW) Charitable Foundation.