April 2020

Cire is thrilled to announce the completion of its new state-of-the-art hospitality training facility at the Yarra Junction Community School campus.

The project is of even greater significance given the current environment and the fact it gives students and the broader community much to look forward to when life returns to normal and for many years to come.

Cire has invested more than $600,000 in the project, a massive undertaking for such an organisation but a very clear demonstration of its commitment to providing positive and realistic career pathways for our students and also the broader community.

It will also be a major boost for the local tourism industry where operators have identified a skills gap in hospitality and related services and welcomed Cire’s initiative. The Yarra Valley is the second major tourist destination in Victoria outside of Melbourne so the opportunities for our students are tremendous and growing all the time particularly with plans such as Ride Yarra Ranges – Warburton Mountain Bike Destination and Yarra Valley Trail projects.

Cire CEO Gus Seremetis described the project as a real stimulus and a tremendous positive for the whole region, especially with the challenges of the current pandemic crisis at so many levels in terms of health and social and economic wellbeing.

‘For our students, it gives them so much to look forward to when school resumes on site and also provides the community with a new resource to create employment pathways and community/social interaction, connection and support’, she said.

The facility comprises a state of the art commercial kitchen with eight fully-equipped training stations to accommodate up to 15 students, a dedicated area of coffee machines for barista training, plus a spacious outdoor deck and landscaped gardens with vegetable beds to support the hospitality program’s emphasis on ‘paddock to plate’ and healthy eating. It is hoped the facility can eventually be used to cater for internal and external functions and events, while the deck will provide a great gathering space and possible location for a social enterprise, similar perhaps to the pop up cafe run by students at Cire’s Chirnside Park Community Hub.

School Principal, Paul van Breugul said there was great potential for the facility to become a valuable community resource and hub.

‘I am sure students will be disappointed if school does not resume on site at the start of Term Two. However, any delayed return will make them even keener to cook up a storm in the new learning space.’

In the meantime, VET/VCAL teacher Ian Seppings is adapting the school’s hospitality related courses for online delivery so students can make a seamless transition to the new learning space when they are able.

‘The development of the project has been a much anticipated and major undertaking. It is a huge boost for our students in terms of creating realistic career pathways and employment opportunities both locally and beyond,’ said Ian who is a chef by trade. ‘Students will gain skills and knowledge for lifelong learning.’

Ian commended Hotel Agencies who have been particularly supportive of the project and with the provision of the best possible equipment and utensils at a considerable discount.