Long wait for NBN Global ambassador title for Jessi McEwan
A Nilma resident who has been fighting for more than four months for a fixed line National Broadband Network connection to his home is hopeful there might be some good news soon.
But he’s still wary after his repeated telephone calls and emails that there may be further holdups.
The latest David Chugg advice his received in a telephone call from an NBN representative late last week was that installation of a new pit near his home was all that needed to be done to enable him to be connected.
Mr Chugg made his first approach in late January to try to ensure the service would be available when he moved into a new house he was building in Camerons Rd, Nilma.
He thought that would allow plenty of time for NBNCo to do what was necessary especially as the infrastructure had been in place since 2014 when the area was sub-divided and some neighbours already had connections. Mr Cameron’s house was completed on May 25.
He has logged more than 20 emails and phone calls to NBNCo since the end of January most of which he said were not responded to or, when he did get through to someone on the ‘phone, was usually told he’d get a call in two to three days to let him know progress.
Over almost 15 weeks until last week’s phone call Mr Chugg, an electrical contractor that does his administration from home, said he he’d not received any of the promised call backs.
Out of frustration he’d also contacted Federal Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent detailing his experience in a copy of a threepage letter that he’d sent to NBN.
At the moment it is fingers crossed with Mr Chugg hoping he’ll get confirmation of a connection in the very near future.
Warragul chef Jessi McEwan has been appointed as global brand ambassador for the World Association of Chefs Society (WACS).
WACS announced that it had appointed the former Federation Training Hospitality student as brand ambassador to be ‘the worldwide face of the association’ – the first such appointment since its inception in 1928.
According to WACS, Jessi has ‘an outstanding resume in the culinary field’ and was selected for her ‘confidence, diligence and versatile communication skills’.
“Jessi’s responsibilities will include promoting the WACS on a daily basis and driving brand awareness via media platforms,” the WACS announcement said.
Jessi’s former teacher Kellie Fraser, culinary studies trainer from Federation Training’s Morwell campus, is delighted with the appointment and said Jessi’s elevation to the role of global ambassador was ‘a remarkable achievement’.
“Jessi McEwan was an outstanding apprentice here at Federation Training, starting her studies while attending school in our VETiS program, Certificate II in Hospitality in 2012,” she said.
“She then gained an apprenticeship in cookery through placement in this course and attended as an apprentice one day a week for three years.
“I noticed the passion Jessi had for food very early in her training and I nurtured her through her apprenticeship and helped her compete in regional, state and national Cookery competitions.”
Originally from Yallourn North and now a sous chef at Hogget Kitchen in Warragul, Jessi said she was honoured to be a part of the World Chefs organisation.
“I’m very proud to be appointed to this ambassadorial role and I am very humbled to be surrounded by such a strong national and international community of chefs,” Jessi said.
“The role allows me to connect with the industry on a global platform, giving me a once in a lifetime opportunity to help other young chefs all over the world, create connections, make a difference and contribute to our industry alongside fellow young chefs."
Jessi fulfils her ambassador role by supporting the Australian Culinary Federation, World Chefs and Federation Training whereever she can.
This can include volunteering her time to collect and donate knives for apprentices throughout partner countries, fundraising events, master classes and supporting other young chefs starting their careers. She continues to up-skill through competitions, travel and is committed to a continuous learning regime.
Jessi is no stranger to major awards and achievements, having represented Australia on the world stage in international culinary conferences.
In 2014 Jessi was named the first young chef ambassador for Australia and the Pacific Rim and in 2015 was nominated for both Victorian young achiever award and regional achievement and community award, winning both categories for her contributions to the culinary industry in Australia.
“Representing Australia in Norway at 2014 World Chef’s Congress was an amazing experience and I am looking forward to going to Malaysia in July for this year’s congress, where I’ll network with other global ambassadors amongst the 96 WACS member countries,” Jessi said.
Jessi will be joined on that Malaysia visit by four more young female chefs from Federation Training and she hopes to raise funding through a big event at Hogget Kitchen later this month.
“My fundraising dinner is $85 per person and will start at 6.30pm on Thursday June 28,” Jessi said.
“We’ll have a four-course dinner, wine on arrival, door prizes and an optional raffle of fine local ingredients.