Scholarships and Training
Annually WITH Tas offers a scholarship to a student undertaking tourism/hospitality studies and we are proud of the young women who have gone on to develop their careers further.
WITH Tas and our Northern Branch also aim to highlight and/or host training and development opportunities for women at all stages of their career in our sector.
Our Student Scholarship Program
Since 2013, WITH Tas has been investing in, and connecting with, the next generation of women passionate about working in our industry by offering an annual student scholarship.
In the years since, $1,000 has been awarded annually to assist with the undertaking of tourism and/or hospitality studies at post-secondary level. To encourage professional development and career progression, the scholarship package provides:
- $1,000 awarded in November, at the end of the study year.
- Mentoring and peer support throughout the year.
- Access to a network of supportive women.
- Access to wider networks of industry contacts.
- Attendance at three WITH Tas events, including a Management Committee meeting.
- Supported attendance at an industry event when available.
We have confidence in the future of the tourism and hospitality industry in our state, particularly as the following scholarship recipients go on to fulfil their career aspirations.
WITH Tas thanks Tourism Tasmania for their sponsorship of the scholarship award since 2019.
WITH Student Scholarship 2026
The annual student scholarship includes access to a supportive network through the WITH Tas association, attendance at WITH events and $1,000 prize money at the end of the study year.
2026 Student Scholarship Winner
Meet Cerys
This year’s scholarship is awarded to Cerys Phillips who is studying at the TasTAFE School of the Visitor Economy and who has demonstrated a strong commitment to building a career in Tasmania’s tourism industry.
Cerys first discovered her interest in tourism during Year 12 at Hobart College where she completed the Certificate II in Tourism, motivating her to continue onto the Certificate III at TasTAFE and where she is now studying for the Advanced Diploma of Travel and Tourism Management.
Alongside her studies, Cerys is completing an internship with the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania, contributing to the coordination of the Young Tourism Network – valuable experience that is already shaping her understanding of industry collaboration and leadership.
Cerys also works part‑time as a supervisor at her local Zambrero, demonstrating strong customer service skills and a commitment to balancing study, work and industry engagement.
Cerys embodies the enthusiasm, professionalism and community‑minded spirit that WITH Tas seeks to champion. A proud Tasmanian, Cerys has grown up exploring our state and she looks forward to helping others experience it.
WITH Tas thanks Tourism Tasmania for their sponsorship of the scholarship award.
The annual student scholarship includes access to a supportive network through the WITH Tas association, attendance at WITH events and a $500 Encouragement Award if recommended by the selection panel.
2026 Encouragement Award
Meet Anna
In recognition of another outstanding student, this year WITH Tas is presenting an Encouragement Award to Anna Kidd who has a passion for storytelling and has demonstrated a commitment to professional growth and dedication to being part of Tasmania’s visitor economy.
Anna brings a rich and unique background to her tourism studies. A trained performer with a Bachelor of Music (Music Theatre) and multiple Tasmanian theatre awards, Anna built a career in the performing arts – including experience in delivering walking tours for Hobart Comedy Tours – before deciding on a change of direction.
Currently completing her Certificate III in Tourism at TasTAFE, Anna is embracing a new chapter where she can apply her communication and creative skills to contribute to the visitor experience in Tasmania.
Past recipients of WITH Tas Student Scholarship
Each year our scholarship interview panel unearths talented, professionals and committed young women, each studying hard to fulfil their aspirations for a career in tourism and hospitality. Below is the list of those previous recipients:
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2025 Sharlie Lawrence
2024 Ardelia Hadiwidjaja and Encouragement Prize to Lakmi Hansika
2023 Upuli Prabhashini Pathirana -
2022 Eve Wang and Encouragement Prize to Yoanna Lemonnier
2021 Katy Usher and Encouragement Prize to Rebecca Payne
2020 Lily Pursell and two Encouragement Prizes to Caitlin Foale and Thais Sousa
2019 Nilarach (Joy) Varahakaporn
2018 Grace Woolford
2017 Jacinta Lang
2016 Katherine Halliday and Encouragement Prize to Molly Hutcheon
2015 Susie Serpanos
2014 Kary Delaney
2013 Kristiana Timson
Professional Development & Training
Membership benefits
WITH Tas and our Northern Branch aim to highlight and/or host training and development opportunities for women at all stages of their career in our sector.
Over the years we have initiated training courses and events customised to our members’ needs, worked with industry partners to provide training, offered scholarships for various courses and promoted the work of our fellow industry organisations.
If there’s a professional development opportunity you’d like us to consider developing, please email info@withtas.com.
Connect. Support. Inspire.
Women in Tourism and Hospitality Tasmania Inc.
info@withtas.com
We acknowledge the Tasmanian Aboriginal people and their enduring custodianship of lutruwita (Tasmania). We honour their uninterrupted care, protection and belonging to these islands, skies and waterways, before the invasion and colonisation of European settlement. We acknowledge the Aboriginal people who continue to care for this country today. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We honour their stories, songs, art, and culture, and their aspirations for the future of their people and these lands.