Sixteen Iconic Sporting Trophies Displayed Together for the First Time

For the first time, sixteen of Victoria's and Australia's most iconic sporting trophies were displayed together at William Angliss Institute, celebrating the tourism, hospitality, food and events professionals who help bring the state's major events. 

Trophies representing some of Australia's most celebrated sporting events - including the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, Australian Open, Melbourne Cup and AFL Premiership - were showcased together publicly for the first at the Institute's Angliss Restaurant as industry leaders gathered for Winning in Events. 

According to Visit Victoria, the Visitor Economy is valued at $46.7 billion and forecast to increase to $53.4 billion by 2030, underscoring the importance of skilled professionals who deliver the major events that attract millions of visitors to the state. 

Guests included the Hon. Natalie Suleyman, Minister for Tourism, Victorian Tourism Industry Council CEO Lisa Patroni, representatives from the Australian Hotels Association, general managers from Melbourne's leading hotels, and leaders from major sporting events across the state. 

Investing in the Workforce Behind Major Events 

Host for the evening, Angliss CEO Grant Dreher emphasised that the event reinforced the importance of investing in the future workforce that underpins Victoria's visitor economy. 

"Trained staff are integral to the success of our sporting and major events in Victoria," said Dreher. 

"Professionals across food, tourism, hospitality and events are essential to Victoria's visitor economy and play a critical role in delivering exceptional experiences for visitors." 

The evening also provided an opportunity for William Angliss Institute to share its strategic direction, which focuses on strengthening industry partnerships and ensuring graduates develop the skills required for an evolving visitor economy. 

"If we recognise the impact major sporting events have in driving our economy, we must also recognise the amazing people delivering seamless event management, tourism campaigns, dining and accommodation experiences that turn major events into world-class experiences," added Dreher. 

"Angliss is evolving how we train the people that underpin our hallmark events and working even more closely with industry to deliver exceptional visitor experiences across the sector." 

Students Shine as Emerging Industry Leaders 

Angliss graduates are embedded throughout Victoria’s tourism, hospitality and events industries, helping shape the experiences for which the state is renowned. 

Winning in Events demonstrated Angliss’ commitment to immersive industry-led learning, with students from multiple disciplines contributing to every element of the evening. 

Guests dined at the Angliss Restaurant and enjoyed dishes and products created by students from Certificate III in Commercial Cookery, Certificate IV in Patisserie and Certificate III in Baking. 

Diploma of Event Management student Myah Fox was excited to be involved in the event and see the trophies up close. 

“I’ve grown up playing sport my whole life and, as someone who wants to get into the sporting side of events, seeing all the Victorian sporting trophies in one place was amazing." 

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery student Olivia Fraser said the display had inspired her future career aspirations in the events industry. 

“It’s exciting to see all these trophies here at Angliss and it will be awesome to work at one of these events in the future, especially the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach." 

Reflecting the event’s theme around sport, the specially designed menu included items named Winners Circle, You’re Out for a Duck, Hole in One and Smash the Melba. 

Students across multiple disciplines applied their classroom learning in a live event environment, helping create an exceptional guest experience including: Certificate III in Tourism students guided guests from our iconic Tram Café to the Angliss Restaurant Foyer, Diploma of Event Management students assisted with pre-event planning and on-day assistance, Certificate III in Hospitality students provided service at the Tram Café and Angliss Restaurant Foyer and Diploma of Hospitality Management designed mocktails/cocktails, selected Victorian wines to pair with each course and provided service in the Angliss Restaurant. 

Table styling was sponsored and designed by En Pointe Events, a design-led studio celebrating more than 10 years of creating thoughtful, high-impact experiences. Founder and William Angliss Institute alumnus Rocco Trimboli collaborated closely with event management students, giving them the opportunity to work alongside an industry leader and fellow Angliss graduate. 

Our professional and dedicated teachers for the event mentored students across seven courses, helping bring the experience to life. 

Trophies Displayed Together for the First Time 

Both guests and staff viewed and took photos with the trophies from the associated events listed below. 

We extend our sincere thanks to all the organisations who loaned us their trophies for this unique event: 

• Australian Grand Prix Corporation
• Tennis Australia
  
• Cadel Evans Great Ocen Road Race
• Visit Victoria
• Cricket Australia
• Golf Australia
• Stawell Athletic Club
• Stawell Gift Event Management Ltd
• Victoria Racing Club
• Moonee Valley Racing Club
• Melbourne Racing Club
• Melbourne Vixens
• Netball Victoria
• Western Bulldogs Football Club
• World Surf League

Angliss students and graduates have worked with many of these organisations through placements, on-location classes and employment opportunities. 

Shaping the Future 

The Institute's alumni include internationally recognised culinary leaders such as Hugh Allen, Shannon Bennett, Karen Martini and Buddha Lo, alongside tourism and hospitality leaders working across Australia and around the world. 

As Australia's largest specialist training centre for tourism, hospitality, food and events, Angliss continues to partner with industry to develop the workforce shaping the future of Victoria’s visitor economy. 

If you would like to learn more about how you can be the next big thing, please join us for Discovery Day on Friday 19 June and explorer where an Angliss education can take you. 

Published 16 June 2026