On 13 June 2026, I had the privilege of attending and helping coordinate the sold-out 75th Anniversary Dinner Dance as part of the Events Team, where more than 300 guests joined the celebration. This experience was a significant milestone in my journey through my Certificate III in Events. Since starting the course in July 2025, I have developed considerably, and being involved in an event of this scale allowed me to reflect on how much my confidence and practical skills have grown.
Over the past few months as an event trainee, I’ve had the chance to really immerse myself in all aspects of event planning, and it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience. I’ve enjoyed connecting with potential vendors and suppliers, learning how important those relationships are in bringing an event to life, while also researching and reaching out for silent auction prizes, something that pushed me out of my comfort zone but built my confidence along the way. On event days, being part of the logistics, from bump-in and setup to managing registrations and ensuring everything runs smoothly has been both fast-paced and fulfilling.
At the Dinner Dance, I was responsible for supporting guests by directing them to their allocated seating and ensuring the entry process ran smoothly. This was particularly important as band rehearsals were taking place prior to the event, requiring clear communication and organization. Initially, I felt nervous, but as the night progressed, I became more confident in my communication and ability to assist others effectively.
A key highlight for me was promoting and selling raffle tickets using both an EFTPOS machine and handling cash, which I had not done before in an event setting. This challenged me to quickly learn new skills and adapt in a real time environment. It also strengthened my customer service abilities, as I needed to engage with guests in a positive and efficient manner.
Writing about my journey has also been a highlight, giving me the opportunity to reflect on what I’ve learned and how much I’ve grown. Each experience has helped me better understand the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into creating a successful event and has strengthened my passion for working in this space.
Overall, the exprience of working on events with the Fundraising Team, has been highly valuable in helping me apply what I have learned during my course to a real world setting. It reinforced the importance of teamwork, communication, and adaptability in the events industry, and has further motivated me to continue developing my skills.
