Thelma . Which Scarf program did you take part in? Spring Scarf ‘14 at Jorg in Fitzroy North. How did you hear about Scarf and why did you apply for the program? A caseworker recommend it. I was interested in doing something in hospitality growing up, so I was excited. . Was the Scarf program what you expected? Or were there parts of it that surprised you? If so, why? Everything surprised me as I went in with an open mind! What was the most valuable thing you got from participating in Scarf? Learning about wine. I enjoyed it so much that it went on to be an area I wanted to focus in for my career. Do you think working with a mentor is a positive thing? If so, why? YES YES and YES! Even after the program had finished and we were no longer with mentors, I felt the confidence from the time I was working with them. Scarf gives you the confidence needed to do the job and talk to customers. Even when I was on my own I felt confident because of that! Thelma being interviewed by Scarf Ambassador Leanne Clancey at Do More Than Dine '19. Photo: Samee Lapham . How long did it take you to get a job after you graduated from Scarf? Two weeks! Hannah put me in touch with The Sofitel on Collins, and two weeks later I went for the role in Conferencing and Events. I was working about 30 hours a week, and was responsible for set up, pack down and serving customers that were there for a conference. I liked the different aspects of the role and different responsibilities and stayed there for about a year. Without Scarf I wouldn’t be where I am now. What happened next, and what part has Scarf played? After leaving Sofitel, decided to go to uni to study a Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management. During my placements I worked at Attica (after the Scarf team put me in contact with them) where I got to work with Ben Shewry on a daily basis. I worked as a front-of-house team member and was responsible for setting up the restaurant. I was there for about a year and a half, working 40 hours per week. Following that I worked at Nando's, Riverland Bar and many more places. I then enrolled to do my Masters of International Hotel Leadership, which led me to my current job [in early 2025], as a lecturer and tutor at William Angliss and Kaplan Business School, teaching undergraduates and MBA students. All this started from my interaction with Scarf. Do you have any words of advice for other young people who are interested in participating in Scarf? Learn as much as you can! . Do More Than Dine '19 team with event host Matt Preston! Photo: Samee Lapham . Is there anything else you'd like to mention? The Scarf program is great. It's hard to get jobs, and Scarf has partnerships for you to build upon. The connection with The Accor Group is amazing as having a company that prestigious on your CV is incredible. Without Scarf I wouldn’t be where I am now. Why did you say yes to co-hosting Do More Than Dine '25? I agreed to co-host Do More Than Dine because it's the least I could do. Scarf helped me and I wanted to give something back, not to mention to hear graduates stories, meet my favourite person Matt Preston again, but more importantly to share my story. . Thelma and Scarf Ambassador Matt Preston at Do More Than Dine '19. Photo: Samee Lapham . What do you hope to see Scarf achieving in the next few years? I hope Scarf will keep growing and keep helping migrants, refugees and asylum seekers break the barrier of unemployment by equipping them with the skills they need to gain employment in Australia. .. Join us at Scarf's 2025 gala fundraising, Do More Than Dine, which Thelma will be co-hosting with Dani Valent. Final tickets now available. . . . . NB: To create this Q&A, Thelma answered questions via email in December 2019 and additional questions in April 2025. Portrait photo: Samee Lapham