Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Scarf Community

Donate  Shop

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Menu
  • About
    • What We Do
    • Our Approach
      • Hands-On Hospitality Training
      • Trainee & Graduate Wellbeing
      • Boosting Job Readiness
      • Trauma-Informed Approach
    • The Scarf Story
    • Vision, Mission & Values
    • Meet The Team
      • The Scarf Team
      • Trainees
      • Mentors
      • The Scarf Board
  • Programs
    • Who We Work With
    • 10-Week Seasonal Program
    • Skill Up with Scarf
    • Scarf Tasting Plate
    • Tasting Plate for Women
    • Graduate Focus Group
  • Scarf Dinners
    • Winter Scarf Dinners at Stomping Ground
    • What's a Scarf Dinner?
    • Partner Restaurants
    • Bookings Policy
  • Our Impact
    • The Difference We Make
    • Facts & Figures
    • Graduate Q & A
      • Wesley
      • Liz
      • Mel
      • Hayuran
      • Rawan
      • Danny
      • Diana
      • Negasi
      • Emma
      • Thelma
      • Mir
  • Supporters
    • Diners
    • Partners
    • Funders
    • Scarf Ambassadors
  • Get Involved
    • Hospitality Mentoring
    • Become a Partner Restaurant
  • Give
    • Donate
    • Shop
    • Scarf's Charity Status
    • Workplace Giving
    • Corporate Partnerships
    • 2021 Mid-Year Fundraising Appeal
  • What's Happening
    • Our News
    • Events & Fundraising
    • Media Mentions
    • Scarf Campaigns
      • Do More Than Dine
      • Do More Than Drink
    • Stay Home with Scarf
  • Say Hello
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)

Hayuran

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

.

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.

.

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. 

.

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

.

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. 

.

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.

.

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

.

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. 

.

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.

.

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

.

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.

.

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

.

.
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.
.

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.

Published: 27th July, 2020

Updated: 8th October, 2020

Author: Hannah Brennan

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Scarf Wrap Up - 2021

    Scarf Wrap Up - 2021

    The pandemic continued to present challenges for our small team last year, but we still saw some solid outcomes for our trainees and graduates.

  • Q & A with James Irvine from Four Pillars

    Q & A with James Irvine from Four Pillars

    We're incredibly grateful that Four Pillars have been a Scarf Partner for the past five years. James Irvine, Four Pillars Creative Director of Gin Drinks recently shared a few words.

  • Winter Scarf '21 Program Update

    Winter Scarf '21 Program Update

    The Winter Scarf '21 Seasonal Training Program is running remotely for now, but we hope to be back face-to-face with our trainees, mentors and diners soon!

  • Winter Scarf Dinners

    Winter Scarf Dinners

    Dine with us and help our new cohort of trainees gain awesome training, mentoring and paid work experience at one of Melbourne's best venues!

Most read

  • Scarf 2021 Mid-year fundraising appeal

    Scarf 2021 Mid-year fundraising appeal

    Help us provide training, mentoring, paid work experience and job readiness support to 50 young people this year!

  • Winter Scarf Dinners

    Winter Scarf Dinners

    Dine with us and help our new cohort of trainees gain awesome training, mentoring and paid work experience at one of Melbourne's best venues!

  • Skill Up with Scarf

    Skill Up with Scarf

    Trainee applications are now open for Skill Up with Scarf - Autumn '22 which will run from 7 - 10 March. Find out more and apply now!

  • What We Do

    What We Do

  • The Scarf Team

    The Scarf team comprises a bunch of passionate staff members and volunteers who are committed to Scarf's Vision, Mission and Values.

  • What's a Scarf Dinner?

    What's a Scarf Dinner?

  • The Scarf Board

    The Scarf board currently comprises: Sara Webb, Lisa Jones, Matt Teran and Hannah Brennan.

  • Our Vision, Mission and Values

    Our Vision, Mission and Values

    Vision: A society which embraces diversity, celebrates connected communities, and has equitable employment opportunities for all. Mission: To create a nourishing, supportive and inclusive space for trainees to gain confidence, skills, knowledge and networks. To foster connections in the hospitality industry to create equitable employment opportunities.

  • A celebratory collaboration - Scarf x Olana

    A celebratory collaboration - Scarf x Olana

    2020 marks Scarf's 10th birthday and we've collaborated with artist Olana Janfa to create something really special.

  • The Scarf Story

    The Scarf Story

    At Scarf, we transform the lives of young people seeking protection, and those from refugee and migrant backgrounds, by getting them into work while adding flavour and heart to the Melbourne hospitality industry. Whilst volunteering with the refugee community in 2009 - 2010, Scarf co-founders Hannah Colman and Jess Moran observed firsthand how hard it can be for newly arrived young people to find jobs, despite having a great attitude and a willingness to take on anything!

Sign up for our newsletter

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Find us


Worksmith
450 Smith St
Collingwood
VIC 3066


[email protected]

Links

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Scarf respectfully acknowledges the traditional owners of the land where we work and meet, the Boon wurrung and Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) peoples of the Kulin nation. We acknowledge that this land was never ceded and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

© Copyright 2019 Scarf Community Organisation Melbourne