A MOUNT Gambier TAFE hospitality graduate has turned adversity into advantage, now enjoying a successful career.
Destiny Rangi-Punua De-la mere -Gage has been with a local hotel for nine years and is now a line manager in the challenging and competitive hospitality sector.
At the age of nine, he migrated with his family from New Zealand, eventually settling in Brisbane.
The second-youngest of seven siblings, Mr Gage has had a varied career including retail, logistics and working in shearing sheds while travelling around Queensland , Western Australia and finally South Australia.
He does not like large cities and prefers smaller communities, arriving in Mount Gambier 15 years ago.
Last year, Destiny was nominated by his local tutor for the inaugural TAFE SA honour awards.
He was shortlisted as a finalist in the resilience category and was a runner-up .
“Destiny is held in high esteem by his colleagues and peers and has been described bed as an excellent mentor,” his citation read.
“As a supervisor, Destiny nurtures his staff to reach their full potential,” it said.
He attended the awards ceremony at Government House in Adelaide and was presented with his certificate by the Governor, Her Excellency, Frances Adamson, AC.
He described the presentation as an absolute honour.
“I was very humbled by the whole experience and to be able to share it with others,” he said.
The holder of Certificate II in Hospitality was one of 276 nominees in 29 categories and proud to represent Mount Gambier.
He said the awards have given him more of a role to play in the local industry, particularly in the uncertain COVID times.
“So now it has given me the opportunity to teach other people and help them with their problems. For example, writing books and sharing them with others,” Destiny said.
As a finalist last year, he encourages all TAFE Graduates in Certificate II or higher, particularly from the South East, to nominate for this year’s honour awards.
Destiny said resilience is all about adapting to change.
“To think that I have had that much influence on the industry in this small town was a big thing for me,” he said.
It has not always been easy, and he knows what it is like to be unemployed and face other challenges.
“Like COVID and lockout rules, price hikes, and adjusting to changing customer demographics, especially in a small town like this,” he said.
“I have always had a goal that I would have a line service job by the time I was 40,” he said.
The 34-year-old has certainly achieved that and he urges other TAFE graduates to give it a go.
“Just take it in and be thankful for everything that is going to come towards you and the opportunities that come with it.
“Even if you do not win the award, you get to meet some extraordinary people,” Destiny said.
He is grateful for the opportunities that have come his way so far.
“To me, coming from a lower socio-economic background growing up, it was a challenging alternative to find something to really drive what I want to do,” he said.
Destiny’s resilience doesn’t stop here. So what is next for the hospitality graduate?
“A lecturer at TAFE would be great. Just helping people to reach their potential in what they can find in hospitality and sharing my knowledge with others,” he said.
Nominations for the 2022 TAFE SA honour awards are now open and close on September 19.
Details can be found on the TAFE SA website.
