From a childhood love of travel to Hotel Industry Rising Star
Congratulations to Corinne Hurst for being named Hotel Industry Rising Star 2026 at the Victorian Accommodation Awards for Excellence run by Accommodation Australia.
“I am honoured to be recognised as the Hotel Industry Rising Star of 2026. It means so much to me to have my passion for hospitality and the genuine love of what I do every day formally recognised. I am incredibly proud to represent the future of our industry and excited for what is still to come.”
The award was presented by Angliss CEO Grant Dreher at the Victorian Accommodation Awards for Excellence, marking a significant milestone in Corinne's hospitality career.
A graduate of the Angliss Bachelor of Resort and Hotel Management (International Practice) and current student of the Master of Philosophy (Major Thesis), Corinne is the Hotel Executive Assistant at Lanson Place Parliament Gardens Melbourne.
As far back as she can remember, Corinne has loved to travel. Now working in the hotel industry, she can trace her career inspiration back to those early experiences.
"I took my first big trip when I was two years old. We travelled all around Australia."
Her parents took her on many overseas trips to destinations including Disneyland, Disney World and Hong Kong Disneyland.
"Every year, we would go somewhere, even just up to Melbourne because we're from country Victoria. We stayed in a number of hotels." Watching the people work in hotels, she said, "I want to do that."
During her internship at Jamala Wildlife Lodge, Australia's only five-star hotel within a working zoo, she received a masterclass in creating memorable guest experiences. She helped orchestrate wedding proposals, from decorating rooms with rose petals while guests were on tour to placing treats in animal enclosures to bring wildlife closer to guest windows at just the right moment.
The Angliss advantage
Corinne credits her education at Angliss with helping turn her career ambitions into reality. "I like learning and I definitely wanted to get a formal education. I looked at quite a few universities who specialised in hospitality. Angliss is superior.
“Coming from a small country town and a very small high school, it was important to
me that it was like a small, specialised university. I just didn't want to feel like a number in a massive lecture hall. It felt like everyone was welcoming, friendly, and genuinely interested in me and what I wanted to do.”
She also valued the strong industry connections available through her studies. "The staff spoke a lot about all the industry connections, and all the roles that they could get you. I wasn't seeing that in any of the other competitors."
Looking back, Corinne says studying at Angliss opened doors throughout her career. Networking events and guest lecturers helped her build industry connections and uncover career opportunities.
"When I was in my first year at Angliss, one of my teachers was the general manager of the Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne. So, he was the one who then gave me the job to be a receptionist in the hotel.”
Alongside her professional achievements, Corinne continues to build on her academic journey and is currently writing her master's thesis at Angliss, exploring the leadership attributes that contribute to career progression.
From travelling to Hong Kong with classmates to competing alongside hotel management students from around the world, Corinne says Angliss broadened her horizons and revealed the diverse opportunities available in hospitality.
With an award-winning career, a passion for creating memorable guest experiences and a commitment to lifelong learning, Corinne is helping shape the future of hospitality and inspiring the next generation of industry professionals.
Looking to start your hospitality career? Learn more about studying the Bachelor of Resort and Hotel Management (International Practice) or the Master of Philosophy (Major Thesis). Email enquiry@angliss.edu.au or call +613 8595 5334 for more information.
Published 7 September 2026
