Luke Sauer – EVENT CInemas

What is your current job?
General Manager Event Cinemas Parramatta.

Describe what you do in a regular day at work?
Each day is exciting and dynamic and no 2 days are ever the same, and that’s what I love about my job. This role has given me experience at a number of locations and i have met many great people along the way. I love that I can come to work, and even as a GM, still get to be the face of our company out the front interacting with our customers. On an average day, I am analysing financial data, ensuring that my business is heading in a profitable direction, working with staff to provide upskilling and coaching, taking with the management team about better practices we can adopt to get our jobs done more effectively, and making sure that the cinema complex is to the standard of an Event site. I take great pride in making sure that all our staff are creating EVENT experiences for our customers so that everyone leaves happy.

How long have you been working for us?
8 years.

What words best describe our culture?
Fresh, Vibrant , cutting edge technology, quality entertainment.

What has your career path been / what jobs have you had?
Commenced in 2001 whilst in year 11 at school as an usher at Castle Hill, moving up the hierarchy into a duty manager role over the next 3 years. In 2005 I applied for the trainee manager role which would assist me in moving into upper management. I was accepted, and moved to Macquarie where i completed the program in 6 months. I was offered the AGM role at Hornsby and from there I have worked at Castle Hill and also George St. In 2010, I gained my first GM position at Parramatta where I am currently.

Where do you plan to take your career path & why?
Having just achieved my personal goal of getting a GM role, i see myself set here for the next year whilst i find my feet in the new position and continue to learn new skills that better equip me to do my job. Moving further, one day, i would like to open and run my own cinema complex with this company.

Best 3 things about working for us?

1. The people, both staff and customers
2. The industry
3. Working with the company that is the market leader in cinema exhibition

Worst 3 things?

1. Late night finishes on a weekend
2. Working during public holidays when all your friends and families are off and at the beach or going away
3. Not always having the time to see your favourite new movie release until 3 weeks after it started

Rikki Goodwin – Coolangatta Cinemas

What is your current job?
I currently work as a Projectionist and Duty Manager at Coolangatta Cinemas.

Describe what you do in a regular day at work?
No two days in the projection room are ever the same. My duties on a regular day range from making up our new release prints, selecting what trailers should be run on what films, changing the ratings on trailers as they come through and simply threading the projectors each and every session to give our customers what the see on the screen. The trickier aspects of my job come on a Tuesday night when I will be found with my head stuck in a running film pulling out ads and replacing them with new ones. I love the diversity projection offers, and I love the interest our customers have in what I do up there. You can often find me striking up conversations with customers about the 'inner workings' of the projection room, more often than not explaining why I can't rewind certain parts of the film.

How long have you been working for us?
I've been with the company 4 years.

What words best describe our culture?
Challenging, Exciting, Diverse, Energetic, Evolving.

What has your career path been / what jobs have you had?
I started out as an usher with Birch four years ago as a part time job whilst studying a double degree in Journalism and Teaching. I have since completed my degrees but made the decision to continue my path with Birch. In that time I have progressed in my career with them going from night ushering to being trained up as a Duty Manager. From Managing, I moved into my training in projection and have fallen in love with my job up there.

Where do you plan to take your career path & why?
From working within the cinema industry, I discovered I have a true passion for everything film. Over the next year I plan to undertake some courses to make myself eligble to branch out into the marketing side of the company. You'll often find me up in the projection room nutting away at an idea as how to best create exposure for our small cinema. Our team is great like, always inventing some sort of public promotion, that and I'd really love to follow it into a career with the company.

Best 3 things about working for us?

1. A workplace that constantly challenges me to be the best I can be.
2. I've got to say the free movies and cheap hotels are pretty much unbeatable!
3. Being swept away by the hype surrounding massive releases...aka Harry Potter 7, UNREAL FUN!

Worst 3 things?

1. Making up the movies, I always see the last scene so know how everything ends!
2. The odd person not quite making the bathroom after eating a little too much popcorn.
3. Working night shifts can get a bit draining after a full week.

What advice would you give to someone considering employment with us?
Get into it! I can not express the opportunities you will be presented with within this company. I have not only had the chance to experience the true behind the scenes action of the cinema industry, but met many friends along the way.

Jacqui Couche – Rydges Melbourne

What is your current job?
Business Development Manager – Conference & Events.

Describe what you do in a regular day at work?
I sell our Conference & Events spaces to potential clients for a variety of events including conferences, workshops, dinners, weddings & parties.

How long have you been working for us?
Since July 2009.

What words best describe our culture?
Professional, Friendly, Helpful, Happy and always willing to go the extra mile for our guests.

What has your career path been / what jobs have you had?
Over 10 years of hospitality experience in varying facets including food & beverage front and back of house, functions, nightclub, bar, restaurants, café, hotel front office and many more.

Where do you plan to take your career path & why?
Further into the Hospitality Industry – it is an amazing, ever-changing industry that allows so much growth both personally and professionally.

Best 3 things about working for us?
The environment, the company and the people.

Worst 3 things?
I don’t have any “worst things” about working for Rydges Hotels & Resorts. I have worked for many large companies and never have I felt as accepted as I do here.

What advice would you give to someone considering employment with us?
Bring your game face! Always enjoy what you do and then others will enjoy it with you.

Shelley Watson – Rydges Campbelltown

What is your current job?
Food & Beverage Operations Manager.

Describe what you do in a regular day at work?
Provide a high level of service to all guests, organise staff, report to manager.

How long have you been working for us?
4 years.

What words best describe our culture?
Work hard, play hard!

What has your career path been / what jobs have you had?
Started in Event Management, then went into Fashion. Neither of those were for me, so started working as a casual in a pub. I then moved overseas and living in Canada for a year and a half where I worked in a restaurant and loved it. When I returned I applied for the position of Food and Beverage Cadet at Rydges and was successful, and have been at Rydges ever since.

Where do you plan to take your career path & why?
Would like to be a Food and Beverage Manager within the next 3.

Best 3 things about working for us?
The people and the culture.

Worst 3 things?
Honestly, there isn't really anything I can think of.

What advice would you give to someone considering employment with us?
Work hard and you get rewarded.

Kumi Thompson – Rydges Camperdown

What is your current job?
General Manager

Describe what you do in a regular day at work?
Manage the overall Hotel with the support of a fantastic team!

How long have you been working for us?
9 years now! Since 2003.

What words best describe our culture?
I really believe we have a work hard, play hard culture. Meaning we work our bums off to give our guests the best possible service experience, but we also know how to have a fun time doing it!

What has your career path been / what jobs have you had?
I started with Rydges working in the F&B Dept, working in banquets, room service, the restaurant / bar. Then moved to Front office, and have basically worked my way up from Receptionist, to Duty Manager, Front Office Manager and now Rooms Division Manager.

Where do you plan to take your career path & why?
I love my job, and plan to stay in hotels as long as it continues to provide a dynamic, challenging, and most of all, FUN place to work

Best 3 things about working for us?

1. The culture – you’re not just a number!
2. The people – I have made some great friends over the years
3. The opportunities – Rydges always try to promote within before looking externally

Worst 3 things?
Hmmm…. I wouldn’t have worked for the company for over 7 years if I could list 3 worst things!

What advice would you give to someone considering employment with us?
If you have an enthusiastic, friendly personality and a passion for the service industry….You will be sure to have a successful career with Rydges!

Welcome to Thredbo’s recruitment website.

Applications for winter 2013 have now closed. Any vacancies will be posted on the Tab Current & Full Time.

Thredbo is open year round, so we are always on the look out for enthusiastic, reliable people to fill vacancies when they come up.

Kosciuszko Thredbo advertises all full time and seasonal positions on www.seek.com.au just type in Thredbo in the search field to see what’s available.

Where are we?

Thredbo is nestled in a pretty valley in the beautiful Kosciuszko National Park. It is located on the Alpine Way, 33km from Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains of NSW. The Alpine Way is the main access road from NSW to Victoria and Thredbo’s location is ideally situated for travellers between the two States. Cooma, the closest major town to Thredbo, is about an 1 hour’s drive. Canberra, Australia’s capital city, is approximately 2.5 hours drive from Thredbo, and Sydney is around 6 hours drive.

Getting to work

Most accommodation is in Jindabyne 33km's from Thredbo, so a car is recommended. There is no public transport, so car pooling has always been a popular option. If you do have a vehicle you will require an access pass for the season to enter the Kosciuszko National Park. There is an administration charge of approx. $38 for this pass and it is all handled through the National Parks and Wildlife Service office in Jindabyne. You will require a letter confirming your employment to accompany your application.

Laurie Bailey – Bazaar

What is your current job?
Restaurant Supervisor.

Describe what you do in a regular day at work?
I run the morning shift in our new marketplace kitchen restaurant, making sure set up is done correctly, the restaurant is neat an tidy, making sure the guest's have the best experience possible whilst eating in our restaurant, clean up after breakfast and set up for the dinner crew and make sure we have enough staff for the following day's service.

How long have you been working for us?
1 year.

What words best describe our culture?
Can do attitude, positive, vibrant, funky, fun, supportive, goal orientated.

What has your career path been / what jobs have you had?
I started off not knowing what I wanted to do after working in supermarkets, cafes, nannying in america, packing meat (yum), vineyard work and managing backpackers and working as a housekeeper on a remote but exclusive cattle station whilst travelling australia I went back home to NZ to become a Bar Manager. I decided I loved working in Hospitality and after being home for 4 years I decided to come back to OZ once again and try my hand in the hospitality Industry over here. I became a bar supervisor on an island up north and after 1 1/2 years there, moved to the gold coast and became a bartender at GCI. After 8 months of bartending I decided I wanted to move into the restaurant and became a breakfast supervisor where I am now and supervising in our brand new restaurant which just opened it's door's at start of January.

Where do you plan to take your career path & why?
I definitely want to move into management still within the hotel/hospitality Industry, I love a challenge and enjoy working with people. I like how every day is different and being responsible for putting a smile on people's faces because of the service we offer. I also one day hope to own my own business.

Best 3 things about working for us?
Being part of a company that encourages career building, the positive can do attitude and the incentives offered to staff.

Worst 3 things?
Truthfully there isn't much but if you wanted me to be picky, hmmmm, some of the uniforms, having to deal with difficult guest's and maybe dealing with a refurbishment, having to move restaurant's etc was really hard but hey we survived and are now loving our new home/office.

What advice would you give to someone considering employment with us?
You have to be a positive person that loves life and working with people. You have to be patient and know how to smile, which will make someone's day. Most of all be yourself and have some fun.

Nicole Sewell – Corporate Support

What is your current job?
Project Management & Design Coordinator.

Describe what you do in a regular day at work?
Raise Purchase Orders, process payments, manage project budgets using spreadsheets, track and manage furniture orders/deliveries. Office admin duties like dept expenses, travel bookings and filing.

How long have you been working for us?
4 years and 4 months.

What words best describe our culture?
Professional, relaxed, friendly, busy!

What has your career path been / what jobs have you had?
I started as an office manager straight from University. I worked for a small Public Relations company that specialised in business to business IT. I was responsible for all admin duties such as filing, travel bookings, office management etc. as well as accounts receivable/payable, media monitoring for clients, and some reporting. I completed a graduate certificate in Public Relations my second year with the company and then began writing press releases and supervising media interviews. After three years in PR I moved to a medical implant company to utilise my degree in Biotechnology. This was also a small company and I was responsible for the running of the office, assisting the national sales team, regulatory affairs, liaising with suppliers regarding product faults and recalls, and I was also the back up for the accounts and customer service staff – helping out during busy times. I received training in the medical device regulatory system, and also gained experience in sales and marketing. After a year and half I moved to Rydges Property Services Department, assisting the director of the dept. I was responsible for procurement, payments, tracking deliveries and general admin. After 1 year in Property Services there was a re-structure that saw my role become company-wide and over the next year or so the role developed into my current position. My team has grown to include 4 project managers and a design manager, and my dept works closing with Food & Beverage, Branding, hotel and cinema management and the top executive levels of AHL. Earlier this year I completed a Certificate IV in Project Management funded by AHL.

Where do you plan to take your career path & why?
In the immediate future I would like to work on small projects such as soft refurbishments (no construction) and develop my skills with the ultimate goal of becoming an project or event manager.

My path to my current role has been varied and indirect, but I enjoy planning and have the ability to organise and communicate effectively and I would like to use those skills in an industry that has lots of human interaction. I have always wanted to plan and manage events, but working with the team at AHL has shown me that the opportunities in this field are more varied than I first thought. My goals are now wider than I those I had two to three years ago, and I plan on keeping it flexible.

Best 3 things about working for us?

1. Great people – my team are driven and social, and the other departments at AHL are hard working and fun.
2. Opportunity to grow – AHL has supported my training
3. Staff benefits – movies, hotel accommodation, theatre tickets, etc.

Worst 3 things?

1. Working for a large company means effective communication can be difficult.
2. The workload is significant and can require sacrifice of personal time.
3. Implementation of lots of new systems at the moment are resulting in lots of issues, delays and difficulties

What advice would you give to someone considering employment with us?
It’s a great company that is diverse and has great people, but be prepared to work hard and to take responsibility for your work. There are opportunities but you will have to seek them out and work for them.

JAN 2012

At AHL we believe in the importance of people and we also believe it is important to give back so have set up STRETCH Workplace Giving Program to make it easy to help out.

Stretch allows employees to contribute pre-tax to selected charities that are important to our staff; PLUS AHL matches contributions and provide one volunteer day each year. AHL with the help of our employees contribute over $400,000 each year to our workplace giving charities.

All full time STRETCH members are entitled to one paid workplace participation day per year.

We also run great fundraising events to support our Corporate Charity Partner Children's Hospital Foundations Australia - Employees can get involved at their own locations fundraising or by supporting our national trivia evening and annual charity screening. AHL are on track to raise over $300,000 this year to provide much needed equipment for the leading Children's hospitals around Australia.

AHL STRETCH Charities include:

Children's Hospital Foundations Australia, Assistance Dogs Australia, beyondblue, Camp Quality, Cancer Council Australia, Make A Wish Australia, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Royal Flying Doctors Service, RSPCA, Snowy Hydro SouthCare, Starlight Children's Foundation, Surf Lifesaving Australia Foundation, The Children's Hospital at Westmead & The Salvation Army.