Career Taster students serve up success for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea

As part of the Hospitality and Tourism Career Taster, Year 10 students stepped beyond the classroom to plan, prepare and deliver real-world events, developing practical skills while raising vital funds for cancer research and support.

At the Toowoomba campus, Career Taster students embraced the opportunity from day one, demonstrating enthusiasm, teamwork and a willingness to learn every step of the way.

Senior Hospitality and Cookery Teacher Chrissy Bateup praised the group’s commitment and growth throughout the program.

“From day one, the students were engaging, keen to learn new skills and looked forward to the Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea event which they planned and executed,” said Ms Bateup.

“During the term the students baked all of the goods that were sold on the day and engaged in decorating, set up, bump in and bump out of all requirements of the event.”

Their efforts culminated in a vibrant morning tea event attended by approximately 100 guests from the local community, raising around $500 in support of cancer research and patient care.

Beyond the fundraising success, students gained valuable insight into the hospitality, tourism and travel industries, strengthening their confidence and career awareness.

“The students also learned all about the hospitality, travel and tourism industries and showed enthusiasm for all aspects of each.”

Meanwhile, at the Kingaroy campus, Career Taster students brought an international twist to their event, hosting a morning tea inspired by global travel themes.

Fully planned, prepared and delivered by the students, the event provided hands-on experience in catering, customer service and event coordination, key skills for future careers in the South Burnett region’s hospitality and tourism.

Kingaroy based Career Taster student serves delicious baked goodies during the event.

Guests were treated to a selection of freshly prepared sweet and savoury items, carefully presented to reflect the students’ growing cookery expertise.

The event catered for approximately 40 attendees, offering students the opportunity to deliver a professional service experience at scale, while their efforts raised approximately $150 for the Cancer Council.

Students also benefited from industry engagement opportunities, listening to guest speakers Sheena Lindholm of Push Pull Marketing and Robert Scablon of Kingaroy Helloworld Travel, who shared valuable insights into career pathways across travel, tourism, hospitality and events.

From menu planning to service delivery, students took ownership of the entire experience, building confidence, teamwork and communication skills in a supportive learning environment.

Career Tasters offer Queensland Year 10 students a valuable opportunity to explore future pathways through short, hands-on experiences that build real skills and confidence, without the pressure of committing to a specific career or qualification.

Designed to fit alongside school studies, the program empowers students to try different industries, discover what inspires them, and take informed next steps on their learning journey.

Members of the local Kingaroy community line up to attend the Australia Biggest Morning fundraiser event on campus.

Career Tasters is a joint initiative of the Australian Government and Queensland Government.

Career Taster students at the Toowoomba campus work together to bake, decorate and serve during their Australia's Biggest Morning Tea fundraising event.