This Scarf graduate Q & A is part of our 'Stay Home with Scarf' campaign. Find out more here. 

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Which Scarf program did you take part in?

Winter Scarf '17 at The Grace Darling Hotel.

Which country were you born in?

Sri Lanka. 

How did you hear about Scarf?

Through my friend.

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Why did you apply for the Scarf program?

I wanted to get hospitality experience and knowledge to work in this industry.

What was your experience of job-hunting and applying for jobs before you came to Scarf?

It was hard. I was new to this country. I had less self-confidence in myself. 

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The Winter Scarf '17 trainees at The Grace Darling Hotel. L to R - Iwan, Varsini, Meray, Geo, Rand and Hayuran. Photo: Teagan Glenane.

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Was the Scarf program what you were expecting?

Yes, they taught me what we actually need.

What was the most valuable thing you got from participating in Scarf?

Understanding of hospitality.

[Before Scarf] job-hunting was hard; I had less self-confidence. After graduating, within two months I got two jobs, as a waiter and a production supervisor. 

 

Beer training during the Winter Scarf '17 program at The Grace Darling Hotel. 

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Do you think working with a mentor is a positive thing? If so, why?

Yes. It was great, they were there to give us support. Without them it would have been very hard.

Did the Scarf program help to increase your confidence? If so, why?

Absolutely. I have more confidence in myself because the knowledge and experience gave me more confidence.

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Hayuran and Scarf mentor Sean looking after a table of diners. Photo: Peter Tarasiuk. 

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Tell us about the first job you got after you finished Scarf. 

Within two months of graduating, I got two jobs. One as a waiter at Chilli 'n' Chive, a Thai restaurant in Beaconsfield, and the other as a Supervisor at Keg King, a home brew supplies company in Springvale. I was working 60 hours a week. 

[Scarf mentors] gave us support. Without them it would have been very hard.

What did you like about these jobs?

The challenge we get to face everyday and find a solution to fix it.

Did you do any other work? 

I started a photography business called Kaniography.

What else have you been up to since you graduated from Scarf? 

I've also been volunteering with the Red Cross. From Scarf we can transfer so many skills to other jobs. Even if you are not working in hospitality.

From Scarf we can transfer so many skills to other jobs. Even if you are not working in hospitality.

 

Hayuran and a bunch of other legendary Scarfers participating in the Scarf Graduate Focus Group in 2018. 

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Have you been involved in anything else at Scarf since you graduated? 

Yes, I worked at Scarf's fundraiser Do More Than Dine ‘18. I was in the Scarf Graduate Focus Group in 2018; I shared my experience and ideas to make the job readiness part of the program more valuable for future trainees. I've also been to all the Scarf new year and birthday parties, and taken lots of photos at Scarf events.

You can see some of Hayuran's excellent photos from our Scarf Turns 10! party.

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Hayuran having a laugh with Matt Preston during Do More Than Dine '18. Photo: Linsey Rendell.

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Would you like to become a mentor or trainer at Scarf in the future? 

Yes. I would love to be part of Scarf and give back. 

Do you have any words of advice for other young people who are interested in participating in Scarf?

It's great you choose to take the first step in hospitality. It is great industry, so learn much as much as you can.

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Hear directly from Hayuran in this video from Do More Than Dine '18:

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The Winter Scarf '17 team of trainees and mentors, enjoying a laugh before a busy Scarf Dinner service at The Grace Darling Hotel. Photo: Teagan Glenane.

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NB: The above Q+A was conducted via email in December 2019, with some additions made in July 2020 to reflect Hayuran's recent involvement with the Scarf Turns 10! event. 

Portrait photo: Peter Tarasiuk.