BMIHMS - Key Information
Orientation Term 4
22nd September 2pm - 4pm (AEST)
Compulsory orientation sessions are held at the beginning of every term. These are usually held on campus but in the current environment, they are being held online
The online Orientation session will take you through all you need to know about your:
- Your studies
- Support Services available to you
- Campus facilities
Orientation is a great opportunity to:
- Meet your library and academic skills teams
- Learn about student tools (like Blackboard and the Student Portal)
- Get to know your campus team
We know that students who attend Orientation are far more likely to succeed in their studies.
Watch the webcast Orientation to gain a flavour of all things Blue Mountains here.
COVID-19 and Subject Selection
The COVID-19 situation is constantly evolving.
We are committed to offering face-to-face learning. In cases where your state is impacted by lockdown or restrictions, classes will be delivered online. Face-to-face classes will resume as soon as we receive government advice that it is safe to do so.
Please check your campus page for lockdown and restriction updates.
Online learning to continue in Sydney for the rest of the year
As per the email from the Vice Chancellor, classes will be delivered online for Term 3 and Term 4.
What does this mean for you and your studies?
- Classes will continue to be delivered online for the rest of the year.
- As soon as restrictions are lifted and it is safe to do so, we will open campuses for practical classes and applied sessions, drop-in activities and for students to make use of shared facilities.
- After you have selected your subjects, your lecturer will reach out to you with details about how to access your class online. More information will be provided shortly on clinic classes, practical workshops, applied sessions and placements and how they will be delivered online until health guidelines allow these to resume on campus.
We will continue this approach of online learning to ensure consistency in your learning, and to provide you with certainty about the coming months. Please be assured that as soon as restrictions are lifted and it is safe to reopen campuses, you will have access to campus facilities.
Subject Selection in your Student Portal
Your new Student Portal offers many new features that will give you greater flexibility and access over how you manage your enrolment. This also includes a feature called ‘subject selection’. Subject selection enables you to enrol into your required subjects and choose which sessions, where available, you will attend.
Your next steps:
It is still important for you to follow your study pattern and enrol into the correct subjects. Follow the instructions on selecting your subjects below.
Remember, our teams will be on hand to support you should you require any assistance.
Note: Students previously located at Town Hall campus will need to choose subjects at Kent St campus.
Top tip! When viewing the Student Portal on a mobile device, click "View desktop version" to see all panels in your subject selection tool.
How to select your subjects
Watch the video guide
1. Go the Student Portal - you will need to log in with your student email address and password.
2. From the Landing Page, click Subject Selection.
3. Click Register for Classes. Select the Study Period (e.g. Term 1, 2021) and your course, and then continue.
4. Select the next subject/s in the list as these align with your course structure. You must select one subject a time.
- All subjects are listed in the left column. Any marked with a green dot are those you have completed, have credit for, or are currently enrolled in. Meeting time = your class time.
- All class options for the subject will appear in the top right column.
- You can view more information (description, prerequisites, lecturer etc) by clicking on the subject name.
5. Add the class you want.
- If your subject shows a 'View Linked' button, then you will need to select a lecture and a tutorial for that class. The video guide above explains how to do this in more detail.
6. Click SUBMIT to finalise your class registration. You can do this after each subject if you prefer.
What happens after I select subjects and register for classes?
After you successfully register in your classes, you should expect to receive your invoice via your Office 365 student email. Invoices are sent to all students, upfront paying or FEE-HELP. You will see the fee amount and due date on the invoice.
Check the full instructions at the Student Portal page.
Changing your enrolment
In your Student Portal, you can:
- withdraw from (or drop) a subject
- change to another class time
Check the full instructions at the Student Portal page.
What if I can't drop or change a subject?
There are instances where you may not be able to drop or change a class yourself.
This will happen if:
- you are trying to drop the only subject you are enrolled in
- Student Services manually enrolled you in the subject
In these cases, you will need to contact Student Services or submit either of the following forms, which can be found on the Torrens website.
- Application for Withdrawal
- Application for Timetable Change
Choosing classes at the correct campus
It is important that you select classes relevant to your campus only!
In your Student Portal, go to your Student Profile to view the campus where your course is based. This is listed under 'General Information'.
When you are in the 'Register for Classes' view, each class option shows where the class will be held. This will show options for all campuses, including those from other states.
Note: Students previously located at Town Hall campus will need to choose subjects at Kent St campus.
Check your Hospitality course page for specific information about the different class types.
View class registration and timetable
Now you can check which classes you are registered in, and print your schedule.
Steps
- Navigate to the Student Landing Page.
- Click Subject Selection.
- Click View Registration Information.
- Review your schedule.
You can also print your timetable by clicking on the Printer button (in the top right hand corner).
Blue Mountains Virtual Support Sessions
Julie and Emma, your International Student Advisors, are here to assist you during your first term of study at Torrens University.
We run online live Zoom sessions where you will be guided through:
- how to login to your learning portal (Blackboard)
- how to attend your online classes and access your recorded lectures
- how to find your assessments
- study and internet requirements
- answer any other questions you may have
These sessions are an opportunity to get to talk to a real person in real time and get an instant response.
To attend a session press ‘click here’ on the day and at the time that the session is running. All the sessions are shown in Sydney AEST time, to make sure you get the time of the session right you can use this website: thetimezoneconverter.com
If the sessions below do not suit you, you can book a one on one virtual support session at another time clicking here.
| Date | Time (AEST) | Link |
|---|---|---|
| CANCELLED | ||
| Thursday 23 September | 1pm | Join here |
| Tuesday 28 September | 3pm | Join here |
| Thursday 30 September | 1pm | Join here |
| Monday 4 October | 3pm | Join here |
| Wednesday 6 October | 2pm | Join here |
Student Portal FAQ
Where to find your new Student ID
Important information about your student ID number
You may notice that you have a new student ID number in the Student Portal. This will be in the format A000XXXXX.
You will need to enter this ID when prompted for a student ID in the Student Portal, such as using Pay Now.
You will still be able to quote your previous (or legacy) student ID to Student Services.
Go to the Student Portal
- Log in using your Office 365 email and password.
- You will be directed to the Student Portal Landing Page.
- Click on the Student Profile link.
- Your new Student ID (A000XXXX) is in the top left corner next to your first name.
View your timetable
Go to the Student Portal
- Log in using your Office 365 email and password.
- You will be directed to the Student Portal Landing Page.
- Click Subject Selection.
- Click View Registration Information.
View your grades
Go to the Student Portal
- Log in using your Office 365 email and password.
- You will be directed to the Student Portal Landing Page.
- Under the Student Records list, click View Grades.
- Select the Term for which you want to view your grades.
- Select the Course level.
- Select the Study Path.
- The list of relevant Subjects will be displayed, with the grades for each in the Final Grade column.
- For Higher Education only:
- To see the numerical score, or percentage attained, click Component.
- A new page will open displaying further grade information.
View your invoices
Go to the Student Portal
- Navigate to the Student Portal Landing Page.
- Under the Student Finance list, click View My Financial Documents.
- Click the tab for Invoices
- You can also view:
- CAN (Commonwealth Assistance Notice) for FEE-HELP only
- SOA (Statement of Account)
View your subject and learning materials
Go to Blackboard (Learning Portal)
- Log in using your Office 365 email and password.
- You will be redirected to Blackboard.
Check your student email (and access Office apps)
Go to Office 365
- Log in using your Office 365 email and password.
- You will be redirected to the Office landing page.
- Click the Outlook icon to access your email.
- You can also access the Office 365 apps a by clicking on the app icon.
To be eligible to graduate, you will need to have successfully:
- Completed the total number of subjects required to complete your award.
- Paid all your fees with the university including Library fees.
- Provided all documents required for graduation, for example, your verified placement completion documents (IF your award requires these documents).
- Updated your personal contact information at the BMIHMS Student Portal such as mailing address, personal e-mail address and mobile phone.
The next step in assessing your eligibility to graduate is academically assessing your work against the course requirements. If this assessment is successful you will proceed to graduation.
Please refer to the 'Graduation and Certification Policy' that can be found on the links below or contact BMIHMS Student Services for further information.
Where and when is my graduation ceremony?
You have successfully completed your studies and approved as Graduand, congratulations!
We have two annual graduation ceremonies in Sydney, Australia for 2021.
- 1st Graduation - 21st of April 2021*
- The September ceremony in 2021 has been postponed*
*Due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic and based on the current regulatory requirement with the specific condition around venues and attendance, these dates are yet to be confirmed.
If I cannot attend the graduation I was invited to, can I attend a later one?
Yes, you can delay attending a graduation ceremony for up to one year as per the Graduation and Certification Policy.
You can request the change of your graduation ceremony up to six (6) weeks before the ceremony. Please contact Records and Results Team to submit this request.
When do I receive the invitation to my graduation ceremony?
The invitation to your graduation ceremony will be sent to your personal email address we have in the system four (4) weeks before the graduation date. You will also receive an SMS* notification so you are aware of when the invitation was sent.
*SMS will only be sent to Australian mobile numbers
Why haven't I been invited to the ceremony?
Please check your personal e-mail address you have registered in the Student Portal, your invitation might have landed in your spam/junk folder.
If you didn't find it in there continue with the following checklist:
- Check your personal contact information is up-to-date in the BMIHMS Student Portal, such as mailing address, personal e-mail address and mobile phone.
- Check you completed the total number of subjects required to complete your award.
- Check you don't have outstanding fees with the university including Library fees.
- Check you provided all documents required for graduation, for example, your placement completion documents (If your award requires these documents).
If you are unsure about any of the options mentioned above, this might be the reason you have not received an invitation. Please contact Student Services to request further information.
How do I reserve my place at the ceremony?
If you have been successfully approved as a Graduand and your contact details are correct in the system, you will receive an email to the personal e-mail address you have registered on your Student Portal.
The link on the e-mail will take you to the registration site for your ceremony. Follow the steps within the email to confirm your attendance at your graduation ceremony.
Please be aware that you need to register before the deadline otherwise you won’t be able to attend the ceremony.
It is vital you verify your contact details, as the main reason graduands miss the graduation ceremony is due to outdated contact details in the system.
How much is the graduation ceremony fee and what is included in it?
The graduation fee is normally $150 per graduand. This fee will be covered by BMIHMS. No additional fee is required.
This graduation package includes:
- your place at the ceremony;
- hire of academic regalia;
- a trencher/graduation hat for you to keep;
- a program of the day
- a digital photo of you on this special day.
- 2 guest tickets included
How many guests can I invite to the ceremony?
Two guest
Where do I collect my tickets?
On the day of the event, you will need to show the confirmation e-mail of your registration and/or QR code sent after you confirmed attendance.
If I do not reply to the graduation invitation, how do I get my academic documents?
Please note that attending the ceremony is optional. Due to the uncertainty of the pandemic, your award will be conferred by the Academic Board.
We will be posting your graduation documentation to your mailing address registered in our system within 30 calendar days after the conferral of your award, irrespective of whether or not you attend the ceremony.*
On your graduation day, you will receive a congratulations letter in a graduation folder.
*Please make sure your information is updated in the BMIHMS Student Portal otherwise we cannot guarantee the delivery of your documents to the correct mailing address (academic documents cannot be sent by e-mail).
What is academic/graduation regalia?
The academic regalia is the academic dress you will wear to receive your award at your graduation ceremony. The robe is called a gown and the hat is called a trencher/mortarboard, the hood is to distinguish your degree.
Am I able to hire academic/graduation regalia (gowns/robes, hood, stoles, hats, bonnets etc.)?
Hiring academic/graduation regalia will be only available at your graduation ceremony. This service will be included in your graduation package. Please return your academic regalia at the end of the ceremony, except for your graduation trencher/mortarboard, which is for you to keep.
What is the dress code for the graduation ceremony?
The dress code for the graduation ceremony is business attire or smart casual. Please note that your academic regalia is worn over your clothing.
Can I purchase the academic/graduation regalia from the University?
At the moment we only sell the BMIHMS hood. Please contact Student Services for more information.
Can I wear my cultural attire with my academic/graduation regalia?
Graduates are welcome to wear cultural attire representing their cultural traditions and beliefs, however, you will need to wear your academic regalia as well.
We encourage any Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander graduands to wear the stole we have available with any of these two origins.
Do I need to bring my BMIHMS Alumni Key to the Graduation Ceremony?
Your Alumni Key symbolises your membership of the BMIHMS Alumni Community and we encourage you to bring and wear your Key with your academic regalia.
Can I borrow a BMIHMS Alumni Key on the day?
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions, you will not be able to borrow an Alumni Key to wear on the day.
I haven’t received my Alumni Key. What should I do?
If you have not attended a Key Ceremony to receive your Alumni Key, you have three options:
1. Receive your key in person when you attend your Graduation Ceremony
2. Pick up your key in person from the Sydney or Melbourne BMIHMS campuses
3. Request that your key is sent to the postal address that we have on file.
Where and when is my graduation ceremony?
You have successfully completed your studies and approved as Graduand, congratulations!
You'll be invited to attend the ceremony in Sydney.
| Ceremony | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | To be confirmed |
| Date | September Ceremony 2021 has been postponed to 2022* |
| Ceremony Time |
To be confirmed |
|
Arrival Time |
To be confirmed |
| Guest Arrival Time | To be confirmed |
| Livestreaming |
The link will be published closer to the date |
*Due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic and based on the current regulatory requirement with the specific condition around venues and attendance, these dates are yet to be confirmed.
How can I register for my graduation ceremony?
Four (4) weeks before the graduation day you will receive an email to your personal email address you have registered in the BMIHMS Student Portal. This email will have a link to click on it to register your attendance.
If you no longer have access to your Student Portal, please contact Student Services to update your details. Attach the 'Change of Details' form that can be found here.
How long is the ceremony?
The ceremony is approximately two (2) to two and a half (2.5) hours.
What is the schedule for graduation day?
The exact time schedule of the day will be sent after the RSVP has closed, however, the usual routine of the day is:
Registration: Check-in of graduands. Only graduands are to be present at the registration area.
Guest Registration: If guests are permitted to attend they will also have to register when they arrive. This will be detailed in your ceremony reminder email closer to the graduation date.
Gowning: After you have registered, you will proceed to the academic robing area.
Cloakroom: All graduands are required to leave any belongings in the cloakroom. To prevent accidents while students walk up to the stage, only mobile phones are allowed to be held during the ceremony.
Briefing: After registration has closed, all graduands are required to go to the main room where important information about the ceremony will be provided.
Ceremony: The ceremony will be approximately two (2) hours. As a sign of respect to other graduands, academics, speakers, and sponsors we require all attendees to stay until the end of the ceremony.
Photography: A professional photographer will be available on the day. A digital photo of you on stage is included in your graduation fee. You will be able to purchase further photography packages from them if you wish to. If you want to take pictures outside the venue, you will need to return your academic dress first.
My family is overseas and they want to attend my graduation ceremony. Is it possible to get a letter from the university so they can apply for their visa?
No, these letters are not issued by the university. Please refer to the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website for further information and Covid-19 restrictions for entry to Australia.
What is graduating in absentia?
Graduating in absentia means that you are a Higher Education (HE) student and your degree will be conferred at the Academic Board.
Does graduating in absentia speed up the delivery of my academic documents?
No. Your degree needs to be conferred at the Academic Board. The testamur and academic transcripts will be posted to the postal address you have registered in the Student Portal within 30 calendar days after the conferral of your award.
How can I apply to graduate in absentia?
Before applying you need to make sure:
- You have met all your course requirements.
- You have successfully completed all your subjects/units
- You do not have outstanding fees with the university
- You are an approved graduand
Once you have completed the above requirements please fill your 'Application to Graduate in Absentia form' and send it to Records and Results Team before the deadline so your award can be conferred at the next Academic Board.
What happens after I send my application to graduate in absentia?
In order to graduate in absentia, for all higher education students, results are reviewed by the Examination Committee and ratified by the Academic Board prior to the conferral of the award to ensure that the student meets all course requirements.
Once you have been approved, your award will be conferred at the next Academic Board. Your academic documents will be sent within 30 calendar days after the ceremony.
In the meantime, please make sure you don't have any outstanding fees with the University and your information is updated in the BMIHMS Student Portal otherwise we cannot guarantee the delivery of your academic documents.
If you want to find out more, please visit the Results page or contact Student Services.
Where will my documents be sent?
Your academic documents will be posted to the residential address you have registered at the BMIHMS Student Portal.
Please refer to the Results page for further information.
Congratulations to our Graduates!
Your graduation ceremony is the moment to celebrate all your hard work, sacrifices and effort you have gone through to complete your degree.
Torrens University Australia and the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School holds an annual Graduation Ceremony in Sydney so our students have the opportunity to join in the location of their convenience.
Torrens University Australia and Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School - Graduation Ceremony 2021 Recording
On the 21st of April 2021, we celebrated our first in-person graduation in more than 12 months. Students walked across the stage at the ICC - The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre in celebration of their achievements, resilience and courage, particularly throughout a challenging year.
Holding this graduation while much of the world faces lockdowns and uncertainty, was an incredible privilege and something our students, staff and community didn’t take for granted.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Alwyn Louw used his address to the graduands to remind them of their role in being a force for good in our world.
“We have a responsibility to continuously participate in the process of building society,” he said.
While graduations are often synonymous with endings, we know that this is just the beginning for our graduands and we look forward to following their journeys and seeing how they use the knowledge, skills and values they have learnt at Torrens University Australia to change the world.
Photography
If you attended the graduation ceremony we held on the 21st of April 2021, please use your Student ID* and click HERE to download the pictures; otherwise please contact the Photography Team.
*Please note that you might have two different Student IDs due to the new system implemented at the University. Use the student ID included in the communications we sent you about the graduation ceremony.
Booklet
Click on the link below to download your digital version of your Sydney Graduation Ceremony 2021 booklet.
-
Blue Mountains International Hotel Management SchoolTorrens University Graduation Ceremony Booklet
21 April 2021
10 am
When do I get to graduate?
Once you have met the course rules, you will be identified as a potential graduand. Your Program Director will review your completed subjects against the course rules and approve accordingly.
All students must go through this process and be signed off by our Examination Committee and Academic Board. Records and Results Team will notify you via email once these approvals have been granted.
Was the 'Graduation Without Borders' event a graduation ceremony?
No, we had a fantastic virtual celebration, a live-stream event called Graduation Without Borders.
Torrens University Australia wanted to celebrate you, with special guests, and a few fun surprises. This was a fun event where we wanted to recognize Graduates - Class 2020 for their great efforts.
Can I get my academic documents now?
In order to receive your final documents, we need to ensure you have been through all of the appropriate approvals from our Examination Committee and Academic Board. Once these have been approved, your award will need to be conferred.
Conferral happens at our Academic Board meetings. If you want to apply to graduate in absentia at the next Academic Board, please read the information under the 'Graduating in Absentia' tab.
All details surrounding completion documents are available on the Results page.
Am I able to receive my graduation documents online or in a digital format?
No. If you need evidence of the completion of your degree, you can request a 'Completion Letter'. More information on the Results page.
When can I receive my certificate/testamur/academic documents?
If you recently finished your course please check the Results page for further details.
Is it compulsory to attend the graduation ceremony?
It is not compulsory to attend a graduation ceremony, however, we encourage all graduates to attend as it is a day of joy and recognition of your hard work and achievements at the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School at Torrens University Australia.
When are the graduation ceremonies in 2021?
The graduation ceremony dates for 2021 are:
- April 21, 2021 - Done
- The September ceremony has been postponed to 2022.
For more information check the 'Invitations' tab.
*Due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic and based on the current regulatory requirement with the specific condition around venues and attendance, this date is subject to change.
If I cannot attend the graduation I was invited to, can I attend a later one?
Yes, you can delay attending a graduation ceremony for up to one year as per the Graduation and Certification Policy.
You can request the change of your graduation ceremony up to six (6) weeks before the ceremony. Please contact Records and Results team to submit this request.
I am a BMIHMS graduand and I haven’t received my Alumni Key. What should I do?
If you have not attended a Key Ceremony to receive your Alumni Key, you have three options:
1. Receive your key in person when you attend your Graduation Ceremony
2. Pick up your key in person from the Sydney or Melbourne BMIHMS campuses
3. Request that your key is sent to the postal address that we have on file.
Do I need to bring my Alumni Key to the Graduation Ceremony?
Your Alumni Key symbolises your membership of the BMIHMS Alumni Community and we encourage you to bring and wear your Key with your academic regalia.
Can I borrow an Alumni Key on the day?
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions, you will not be able to borrow an Alumni Key to wear on the day.
Contact us - National Events Team
The National Events Team is responsible for the organization of your graduation ceremony.
If you did not find the information you were after in any of the tabs on our graduation page, please do not hesitate to send us an email, however, please note the information below:
- You can update your contact details through the Student Portal or by contacting Student Services. It is very important you check this as the main reason graduands miss the graduation ceremony is due to outdated contact details in the system.
- Please contact Records and Results if your enquiry is in regards to the following matters:
- Academic documents. More information can be found on the Results page.
- Identification of graduands/eligibility to graduate.
- No communications were received in regards to your graduand status.
- Requests to change the location of your graduation ceremony - only one (1) time is possible in the next 12 months.
- Graduate in Absentia.
If you require urgent assistance or any other information, please do not hesitate to contact Student Services on the following contact details:
Student Services Hours:
Monday to Friday from 8am to 4:30pm
Phone: +612 4780 1619
E-mail: student.services@torrens.edu.au
*Please include in all your communications your full name and student ID.
Our Alumni community
The goal of the BMIHMS Alumni team is to encourage and facilitate continuous professional networking relationships between graduates, while recognising and promoting the advancements and achievements of our Alumni. We connect with our graduates through closed social media channels and monthly newsletters, in addition to regular email contact, networking events and the annual Alumni Awards ceremony.
The BMIHMS Alumni community consists of approximately 7000 members from almost 100 nationalities, who work in 90 countries across the world, in almost 50 different professions. The majority of graduates are in managerial positions, many at a senior level.
It is a close community which continues to support the School and current students by delivering guest lectures, assisting with product innovation and curriculum development, providing work-integrated learning opportunities for current students, acting as mentors to both students and recent graduates, and featuring in marketing and collateral campaigns. There is also Alumni representation on the Industry Advisory Board.
The BMIHMS Alumni Board supports the Alumni team to grow and develop the Alumni community. The Board is currently working on a number of initiatives including an ongoing speaker series (online and face-to-face), global chapters and peer-to-peer mentoring.
We look forward to welcoming and supporting the next generation of Alumni members.
BMIHMS Alumni Board Members 2021
Betsy Westcott (Chair)
Grad Year: 2009
Current Role: Chief Revenue Officer, Fupay, Sydney
My greatest wish is that every Australian be financially literate. I believe that the better the skills and knowledge we have about money the better choices we make with our financial resources to live an independent, happy life. That’s why I’ve dedicated my career to helping people understand and make the most out of their money.
My career began in hotel & resort management and it was by chance that I was poached National Australia Bank to form a new customer-centric cohort of bankers working to change the culture from the inside out. I had found my calling in the world of finance. I quickly rose to the position of Bank Manager leading teams of bankers across Sydney, before I transitioned into the world of Private Banking where I advised some of Australia's most wealthy and influential individuals at both NAB Private & ANZ Private Bank. I loved providing holistic help to my clients and decided to qualify as a Financial Advisor.
I later moved into the operations and technical side of banking. I had the opportunity to help build a brand new, customer centric, digital bank at Xinja Bank. During my time there I would be responsible for building the people, systems and processes to deliver hyper personal service in a digital world.
After Xinja I moved to Macquarie Group's Data & Digital Transformation team as the Associate Director in Data & Digital Transformation, Corporate Operations Group, driving innovation and transformative change so that the business continues to thrive now and in the future.
Today I am proud to work as the Chief Revenue Officer for Fupay, a first-of-its-kind lifestyle management platform allowing young millennials to better understand and manage their cashflow needs. We combine modern money management with the ability to BNPL ALL lifestyle categories (including essential expenses such as groceries and household bills) and discover personalised savings and rewards.
My personal passion is improving the financial lives of others, especially women. Nothing brings me more joy than this. Outside of work, I run my own business as Financial Wellness Coach and am the Head Financial Coach for the Ladies Finance Club.
Cameron Phillips (Treasurer)
Grad Year: 2010
Current Role: General Manager Operations, Onsite Doctor Pty Ltd, Melbourne
In 2010 Cameron started his hospitality career taking a management traineeship at the Four Seasons Resorts Lanai Hawaii, which was offered upon graduation from the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School.
Over the coming years, Cameron worked in a variety of positions within the company in Canada before moving back to Australia where he took on the role of Reservations Manager at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. It was during this time that Cameron discovered his passion and talent for Revenue Management. Cameron then moved to the IHG group and eventually moved back to his hometown of Melbourne where he joined the pre-opening leadership team at the QT Melbourne in the role of Revenue Manager, and opened the hotel in 2016.
When Cameron worked for Accor Hotels, Apartments and Leases as the Director of Revenue -Victoria & Tasmania, he oversaw the Revenue strategies for multiple hotels in the region. Cameron has been an active member on the Blue Mountains Alumni Board since 2015 and has also participated as a mentor in the Alumni Student Mentoring program during this time.
Liz Long
Grad Year: 1993
Current Role: Food & Beverage Consultant, Melbourne.
Founder and Managing Director of Catering and Café Food Business, Luscious Affairs, I have worked as an Events Manager, Caterer, Culinary Tour Host and Entrepreneur over the last twenty three years.
A key component of Luscious Affairs has been event management, which I have grown from a single client to representing sixty five percent of my overall annual revenue.
Experienced in building and developing a highly respected brand in event management, cafes, cooking school, global culinary tours and hospitality.
In the last 12 months, I have been engaged as a Food & Beverage Consultant for hotels and cafes. This included Identifying marketing channels to pursue potential growth opportunities for the hotel through digital marketing, social media and PR. Also mentoring and coaching the Food & Beverage team to achieve excellence; acting as an advocate for Food & Beverage service; preparing daily and weekly reports for both the General Manager and the Hotel Owner and delivering a final detailed report of all assessments and achievements.
Tom Frawley
Grad Year: 1993
Current Role: Lecturer, Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School at Torrens University Australia
After graduating in 1993 Tom developed his love of food and beverage by working in a variety of hospitality settings including restaurants, wine shops and yachts in Australia and Europe. After a brief hiatus in the technology industry, Tom returned to the kitchen to work in food media, catering and restaurants.
Over the years, Tom remained in contact with the school and in 2010 he returned to the Blue Mountains to join the team at BMIHMS as a staff member. Tom has been working at the school ever since, initially in the Food and Beverage Department and more recently in academia. Tom completed his MBA at Glion Institute of Higher Education in 2015 and graduated with the accolade of Top Student. He received the THCI Teacher Achievement Award for Hospitality Management in 2018 and remains committed to teaching the next generation of hospitality professionals.
Ben Lancken
Grad Year: 2008
Current Role: Director, Customer Experience and Innovation, Opal Aged Care
I believe that we can forge a future wherein everyone wakes up each morning feeling excited to go to work and returns home feeling truly fulfilled. That why I’ve committed a large part of my career to the movement aimed at curing the epidemic of disengagement that plagues the modern workplace and build organisations that enable people to strive and thrive - not just survive.
I’m a recovering hotelier turned organisational development professional with a passion for building high performance, customer-obsessed cultures and great places to work. These days, I lead large-scale, cross-functional change & transformation programs and projects to create high performance cultures that place people at their heart.
After 12 years in hotels, 11 of them with TFE Hotels here in Australia and Europe, I made a big change last year to move into the Aged Care Sector as Head of Transformation at Opal Aged Care where I get to work alongside a team 9,000 strong to bring joy every day to our 7000 residents. I am truly privileged to work in the care sector and in recent times, like never before, I’m reminded just how privileged I am to be working in an organisation charged with the care of our community’s most vulnerable.
I am looking forward to engaging with and serving our community.
Chris Franzen
Grad Year: 1999
Current Role: Area Vice President Western India, Hyatt International Hotels & Resorts | General Manager, Grand Hyatt Mumbai
After spending several years in the culinary and food & beverage departments, he opted to try out other areas of the hospitality trade. He was keen on expanding his horizon and worked for many smaller luxury hotels and restaurants along the way such as the Hotel La Porte D’Octodure in Martigny and the Hotel Duc Berthold in Fribourg, both in the French speaking part of Switzerland. He brings with him over thirty years of experience having worked in Europe, the US, Australia, Russia and the Middle East before joining in India. He has also worked for other global hotel operators and luxury boutique hotels over the years, including the Gourmet Restaurant Glashof in Zug, the Hilton Hotel in Zurich, Kofler & Kompanie in Germany, the luxury boutique hotel The Inn on Fifth in Naples, Florida, and the Hotel Kurrajong in Canberra, Australia.
He started his Hyatt career as Revenue Manager at the Hyatt Regency Dubai, followed by other appointments at the Grand Hyatt Muscat in Oman, the Park Hyatt Moscow in Russia, the Grand Hyatt Dubai in the UAE, and the Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel & Villas in Qatar.
Chris has won several awards and honours over the years that include the Business Excellence Award 2017 and was also one of the candidates for the Jay A. Pritzker Award for Leadership. In the same year his hotel team in Qatar was also a contender for the Donald N. Pritzker Award for Hotel Team of the Year. He is also well versed in three languages: English, French and German.
Ben Salter
Grad Year: 1995
Current Role:
Regional Director of Performance NSW/ACT, Accor Hotels, Apartments and Leases
Ben graduated BMIHMS in 1995 and started his career cleaning rooms and waiting tables. Through 12 different hotels and HQ roles Ben has worked his way to Director of Performance NSW ACT at Accor. When Covid-19 forced him into a practice run at retirement for a few months he rediscovered his love of painting, studying, taking advantage of the free BMIHMS Short Courses and volunteering where he can.
His fur kids also enjoyed having him home more.
Nicholas Parkinson-Bates
Grad Year: 1997
Current Role: Group Operations Manager, KBCG Consulting Group | Service Advisor, NF Import Frasers Ducati
A diverse and internationally developed career in Hospitality and Tourism Management, I have a passion for building great brands and improving hospitality operations for the future.
My strengths predominantly are in client relations and general hotel management. I am always results oriented and adaptable to change and thinking outside the square. I have contributed to new and hotel projects from construction, budgeting, planning and reporting. I have worked for small luxury hotels to large scale properties and even attempted to create a new hotel company!
I grew up in Asia, worked around the world and have diverse and fantastic international exposure.
I currently work 2 jobs, one consulting for owners and operators on hotel operations as well as working for Ducati Australia as a lead on customer service operations. (Motorcycles are a passion!)
I keep abreast of market conditions along with the industry trends and I really enjoy helping students who are not yet sure of their paths. I would like to hear from any student no matter the reason and help where I can.
My Linkedin page: linkedin.com/in/nicholasparkinsonb
Penni Hauff
Grad Year: 2009
Current Role: Talent and Culture Manager, Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort
At a very early age, Penni was destined to study at the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School and after being awarded a scholarship in 2006, Penni continued to excel in her University performance winning the 3 Pillars Award for 'Quality, Integrity & Aspiration' from Accor Hotels upon graduation in 2009. Her enthusiasm and drive toward setting students up for success flowed onto the Alumni Mentoring Program before deciding to support the wider BMIHMS Alumni Committee, School and Graduates becoming a Board Member in 2020.
Fortunate to have vast experience across five star international luxury ASX private and public companies in hotels, travel and tourism at a national training level, Penni has worked across four different states in Australia, before residing back on the Sunshine Coast where she continues to expand her expertise in strategic cultural change, learning and development working for Accor Hotels as the Talent and Culture Manager at Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort.
Penni is a passionate Learning and Development, Training, Human Resources and Recruitment professional with a uniquely blended, well encompassed skill set with over twelve years’ experience in people management disciplines. She continually expands her professional and personal development into positive psychology, coaching, organisational development and neuroscience research.
Christopher Hewett
Grad Year: 2006
Current Role: Vice President – Hospitality, Al Hamra Real Estate Development, Ras al-Khaimah, UAE
Since graduating, Chris has spent 15 years in the Middle East working in various sectors of the industry, moving from operations and management to development and financial advisory and to his current role of Owner’s Representative and Asset Manager.
This experience has given him a wide and diverse understanding of the industry particularly in a region that has experienced rapid growth.
Mathew Child
Grad Year: 1994
Current Role:
Director | Franchisee, Quest Serviced Apartments, Sydney
Having graduated the BMIHMS in 1994 I continued to work in a variety of roles predominantly rooms division based, before heading to Switzerland with fellow BMIHMS graduates to finish my degree in Hotel Management.
Upon completion of my Degree, I returned briefly to Australia for the 2000 Sydney Olympics whilst working with ACCOR before returning to England to undertake and complete a Masters in International Marketing. Before entering into the Quest Network, I had the benefit of working for Accor, Hilton Hotels UK, Holiday Inn and the Toga Hospitality group. I would say there is not a role or a position that I have not undertaken in a hotel, whether it was cooking breakfast for 100 pax or managing a conference for Princess Anne I could comfortably say I have accomplished all. This experience has ensured my success with franchising ownership within the Quest Group.
I have now operated and owned Quest Franchises in Sydney for the past 13 years and also ventured into the NZ marketspace in the past. Apart from the busy hotel environment I enjoy mixing it on the cricket pitch and golf courses when time allows. With the industry now so greatly affected by Covid 19 it more and more important that we focus on my other passion in supporting worthy charities’ in particular RUOK for we all should be asking this every day.
Craig Coughlin
Grad Year: 1995
Current Role: Chief Executive Officer, LUXXE Outsourced Hotel Services, Melbourne
Craig joined LUXXE in 2015 with a clear vision of where he wanted to take LUXXE to; so much so that in 2017 he executed a management buyout and purchased the business from the Beddison Group. He manages all aspects of business development and provides support to the operational leadership team from our Melbourne office.
Having graduated dux from the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School, and worked as a hospitality professional since 1990, Craig brings with him a wealth of knowledge from the hotel and outsourcing industries. Some of the leading hotel chains that Craig has worked for include SPHC, ACCOR, Radisson Hotel Group, Rydges Hotels & Resorts and TFE Hotels
Justin King
Grad Year: 2003
Current Role: General Manager, VOMO Island Resort, Fiji
Justin has spent a large portion of his career refining his experience in luxury hotels around the world.
After graduating Blue Mountain Hotel School in 2003, Justin began his management career in Singapore before moving to London where he worked with Morgans Hotel Group in various management positions.
In 2008, Justin moved to the Middle East and held a number of senior management positions throughout the Emirate of Qatar before moving to Sydney and then Fiji where Justin spent two years running a private island resort.
In 2012, Justin returned to Australia, this time as General Manager of the then newly opened Saffire Freycinet, on the East Coast of Tasmania. In the 6 years that Justin headed the property, Saffire was awarded a host of professional, peer and guest based accolades including most notably, Best Overall Boutique Hotel in the World (Boutique Hotel Awards), Best Luxury Property in Australia 6 years in a row (Tripadvisor Travellers Choice awards) and thrice best Luxury Accommodation in Australia (Australian tourism Awards).
Justin has recently moved back to Fiji with his wife Melanie (also a member of the alumni) and 2 small children. He is currently the general manager of VOMO Island Resort, a luxury resort in the Mamanuca group of islands.
Current news
Read more about our graduates in the newsletters attached below.
The BMIHMS Alumni Key is the symbol of your formal admission into the BMIHMS Alumni Community. Once you are eligible to become a member of the BMIHMS Alumni Community, you will be invited to an Alumni Key Ceremony to celebrate this milestone. We look forward to welcoming you to our Alumni family.
I haven’t received my Alumni Key. What should I do?
If you have not attended a Key Ceremony to receive your Alumni Key, you have three options:
1. Receive your key in person when you attend your Graduation Ceremony
2. Pick up your key in person from the Sydney or Melbourne BMIHMS campuses
3. Request that your key is sent to the postal address that we have on file.
Do I need to bring my Alumni Key to the Graduation Ceremony?
Your Alumni Key symbolises your membership of the BMIHMS Alumni Community and we encourage you to bring and wear your Key with your academic regalia.
Can I borrow an Alumni Key on the day?
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions, you will not be able to borrow an Alumni Key to wear on the day.
BMIHMS Alumni Contact
For more details about the BMIHMS Alumni network, please contact:
Petra Braat
BMIHMS Alumni Coordinator
A cookbook that connects our global community
Sharing a meal is a timeless way to connect and bring people together. We all have memories of forging friendships, celebrating and expressing love over food. For the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School (BMIHMS) Student Representative Council, creating a cookbook felt like the perfect way to connect the global Torrens University community after being physically separate over the last year.
Student Representative Council member Nao Ogura was the driving force behind the cookbook. Nao believes that because “BMIHMS is so culturally diverse… creating a cookbook with recipes that are close to the students’ and staffs’ hearts was a great way to enhance the connection and understanding between cultures”.
Torrens University is proud to be a melting pot of cultures with students who represent more than 123 countries. From the Philippines’ sticky rice to France’s Chicon au Gratin, the cookbook features recipes from fifteen countries. Making a recipe from this cookbook will connect you to and celebrate our strong and diverse Torrens community. Of course, with recipes from industry experts and our up-and-coming hospitality specialists, you’ll definitely impress your dinner guests too.
The SRC encourages anyone who downloads the cookbook to make a donation to the Sala Bai foundation in Cambodia. The Sala Bai foundation fights poverty and human trafficking through educational and vocational training. Read more about Sala Bai below.
Try your hand at one of the great meals in this cookbook and tag @torrensuni when sharing your creations.
Download the cookbook here!
What is the Sala Bai Foundation?
Launched in 2002, Sala Baï Hotel and Restaurant school is a program created by the French NGO Agir Pour le Cambodge (APLC), to fight poverty and human trafficking through social and professional training of young underprivileged Cambodians.
In 2004, BMIHMS founded the Friends of Sala Bai Australia (FOSBA), to further assist in raising funds and support the development of the School and its students. There is a strong emphasis on social responsibility and teaching international standards so that graduates from Sala Bai can improve their opportunities, give back to their families and community.
To date, there have been over 1600 students graduate from the School. Graduates work locally and internationally in the hotel and restaurant industry and some even return to Sala Bai to teach the current cohort. Recently a “Future Leaders Diploma” was introduced to encourage career development for graduates as an additional way of encouraging self-belief and determination. As a Sala Bai graduate has stated, the organization “…brings hope for even the poorest of families”.
Producing the SRC cookbook is part of the continued support BMIHMS students have for Sala Bai Hotel School. Please consider donating to Sala Bai Hotel School; you would be giving the opportunity of education and empowerment to those most in need.
Contact us
Student Services
Monday to Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm AEST
1300 575 803
student.services@torrens.edu.au
Need help navigating the student portal or accessing your course?
Presenting, the BMIHMS Cookbook
The Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School (BMIHMS) Student Representative Council have created a cookbook as it "felt like the perfect way to connect the global Torrens University community after being physically separate over the last year."
Read more, and download the cookbook here.
