Gold and Silver for Angliss Hospitality Students at WorldSkills 2025
Congratulations to Certificate III in Hospitality students Gemma Scott and Ellen Rodrigo, who won Gold and Silver Medals respectively in Restaurant Service at the 2025 WorldSkills Australia National Championships held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Two other students also represented the Institute on the national stage. Lourdes Lagatule, studying the dual qualification of Commercial III in Commercial Cookery/Certificate IV in Patisserie, received a Certificate of Excellence in Patisserie while Ryan Wu, a Certificate III in Baking student, competed in the Bakery category.
WorldSkills Australia, the nation’s largest trades and skills competition, featured over 600 of the country’s top apprentices, trainees and vocational students competing across more than 60 categories. The 2025 event celebrated vocational excellence and highlighted the essential role of trades in Australia’s economic future.
Training, Teamwork and Triumph: The Angliss Edge at WorldSkills
Winning Gold was a defining moment for Gemma. “I felt pure joy and was just so happy,” she said. “I couldn’t stop smiling. It really felt like all the hard work and long hours had paid off.”
For Gemma, the competition was about pushing her limits. “I entered because I wanted to challenge myself and prove what I was capable of. WorldSkills takes you to another level. You’ll grow in ways you can’t imagine and meet people who are just as passionate as you are.”
Her passion for hospitality is rooted in making people feel welcome. “Whether it’s through a perfectly set table or a genuine conversation, I love bringing people together,” she added.
Reflecting on her preparation, Gemma credits two key aspects of her training at Angliss: “The hands-on training sharpened my technical service skills, and the support from my trainers gave me the confidence to step into high-pressure environments like WorldSkills.”
Silver medallist Ellen described the experience as “one of the best things I’ve done in my life.” While proud just to compete, the medal was “a bonus.” She said, “Being recognised after months of hard work was incredibly satisfying and gives me something to brag about in job interviews!”
Ellen also highlighted the value of real-world practice at the Angliss Restaurant. “Interacting with actual customers helped me build rapport, and preparing coffees, mocktails, and cocktails during class added practical skills that boosted my resume.”
Both Gemma and Ellen were supported by a team of dedicated Angliss trainers, including Hospitality Teacher Joanna Murthy-Nitka, who served as the official mentor for the Victorian Restaurant Service team.
“Preparing Gemma and Ellen was a team effort,” Joanna said. “My role was to coach them on timing, customer engagement, and performing under pressure. What set them apart was their professionalism, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. They didn’t just serve well; they created memorable experiences.”
Joanna added that their success is a testament to the Angliss training approach: “This result showcases the strength of our training model being hands-on, industry-connected and grounded in supportive mentorship. Seeing students grow beyond their expectations proves that what we do matters.”
Special thanks to our committed mentors, who guided the students in the lead-up to the competition: Joanna Murthy-Nitka, Tim Haronga, David Kerr, Kamal Unvala, Sean Kennelly, Nicole Fifis and Peter O’Rourke.
We also acknowledge our dedicated judges: Training Outlets & Functions Coordinator Jason Schumacher, Professional Cookery Teacher Antonio Scotto Di Perta plus Patisserie and Bakery Teacher Belinda Clements.
William Angliss Institute remains committed to enriching student learning through strong industry partnerships and preparing students for global opportunities, such as the possibility of being selected for Team Australia (the Skillaroos) at the 2026 WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai.
In Victoria, Free TAFE offers tuition-free training in hospitality, making career pathways more accessible than ever.
To learn more about our courses, info sessions and campus tours, contact the Future Students team on +613 8595 5334 or email enquiry@angliss.edu.au.
