Career Taster students serve up success for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea
Students across TAFE Queensland’s Toowoomba and Kingaroy campuses have turned their passion for hospitality into meaningful community impact, hosting successful fundraising events as part of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea on Monday, 22 June 2026.
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. industries.
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.
Hospitality and Cookery Leading Vocational Teacher, Chef Jason Ford, said the event demonstrated the value of combining practical training with community involvement.
“The success of the morning tea highlighted the strong connection between our training and community engagement, reinforcing job-ready skills in an authentic learning environment for our students," said Chef Ford.
"It gave students the opportunity to apply what they had learned in a real-world setting while contributing to an important cause and building confidence in their abilities.”
Chef Ford said the initiative also showcased the dedication of everyone involved in delivering the program.
“The morning tea reflected the commitment of both students and teaching staff at the Kingaroy campus to delivering meaningful, industry-relevant learning experiences," he said.
"From planning and preparation through to service delivery, everyone involved worked together to create an engaging event that showcased the skills and professionalism of our students.”
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.