The 2010 CASTT Executive team

Susan Melhuish: CASTT President , Glenunga International High School

Karin Wichmann: CASTT Secretary, Unley High School

Janet Bartold: CASTT Treasurer, Mercedes College 

Liz Aziz: Newsletter: Valley View Secondary School

Anna Stefopoulos: St Peters Collegiate Girls School

Fiona Bushnell: Marryatville High School

Mark Jones: Glenunga International High

Meri Holt: Seaview High School

Melissa Hsu: Mitcham Girls High School

Pauline Hansford: Paralowie High School

Sarahanne Lewis: St Mary's College

Advisory Roles

Yvonne Murtagh:Executive -IT Consultant DECS

Stephen Inglis: SACE

Background

Formed in 1993 by a group of like-minded Tourism teachers. Objective-to provide support for tourism teachers. During the 1990’s, VET (Vocational Education) subjects were introduced into our secondary schools and, as they grew, Hospitality teachers sought support also. CASTT grew to offer professional development and networking opportunities for a larger number of teachers.

As the numbers of students studying tourism grew, it was clear that a significant number of students were studying Tourism in Year 11, but numbers declined in Year 12. CASTT Executive identified the need to investigate this pattern. CASTT set up a working party to liaise with tertiary and government bodies, until in 2002, Tourism became recognised as a PAS subject. CASTT played a significant role encouraging tertiary and government bodies to recognise the need for Tourism status to change.

Since the introduction of Tourism as a PAS subject, Home Economics has also become a PAS subject and so the number of students studying Year 12 Tourism and Year 12 Hospitality across South Australia has risen significantly.

CASTT continues to support teachers through offering relevant up-to-date professional development along with opportunities to network and link with Tourism and Hospitality industry businesses, tertiary and government bodies.

CASTT is a member of CEASA, SATIC, ACTA, MEA, Eastside BEC and it is through these associations that the group is able to maintain more current profiles of the Tourism and Hospitality industries, along with workplace changes.

In 2007 CASTT was awarded the most Outstanding Award for its submission in the 2007 South Australian Tourism Awards. The recognition by industry at a state level was a real honour.

CASTT was also represented at national level on February 29th 2008 at the National Qantas Tourism Awards in Canberra.