"It's always darkest before the dawn"
Ark Global News
Swan TAFE 2008
20/06/2008 
Swan TAFE delivers a UK initiative to Australia which is destined to make a huge impact and a difference to those entering and working in the hospitality Industry. Arkglobal hit the Western Australian shores with the arrival of it founder Mr Michael Quinn MBE and the ripple effect is being felt across the country.Swan TAFE launched this successful initiative from the UK on the 17th June 2008 which will benefit hospitality workers not only in Perth but throughout Australia. Michael Quinn MBE founder of the Ark Foundation in 2001 and assisted by Roy Southworth, Principal Lecturer in Hospitality at Swan TAFE have been keeping in close contact since December 2007 when Michael first made contact after many years to organise the Australian launch.
Roy Southworth explains how this initiative found its way to Perth, Western Australia
“Michael was my cookery lecturer at the Accrington and Rossendale catering college, Lancashire, England in 1976 before he returned to the hospitality industry and was later head hunted by the Ritz Hotel London. Michael came to Perth in December 2007 to inform me of what had happened to him since I last saw him. I last saw Michael during a period of my life when I working as a head pastrychef in the five star hotels of St. Mortiz. Switzerland. He discovered that I had moved to Australia when presenting his seminar at Blackpool and Fylde College in Lancashire England where I taught cookery and patisserie for 10 years. Whilst in Perth he told me of his story and how through the successful growth of the Ark Foundation that he and a team presenters visit all the Colleges and Universities throughout the UK each year. He told me of his ambition to bring the Ark Foundation to Australia to educate the hospitality workers here. Early 2008 I approached both my Managing Director for Swan TAFE and Portfolio Manager Mr Bernhard Staggl for their permission to use Swan TAFE for the launch and allow me the time to make contact with our local industry, TAFE’s colleges in Perth and throughout Australia”.
During his visit to Perth Michael has provided seminars at Swan TAFE Bentley Campus, Challenger TAFE, West Coast TAFE and at the Burswood Entertainment complex. The seminars reached over 550 apprentice chefs, full time hospitality students, managers and TAFE lecturers with his awe inspiring story and advice on the dangers of alcohol and drugs and their impact on other and their careers.
On Tuesday 17th June 2008 Swan TAFE officially launched Arkglobal at the Bentley Pines restaurant in the grounds of the Bentley Campus. The evening was attending by 86 people from Western Australian industry peak bodies, TAFE colleges and Industry employees. The evening started with all guest being received at the door as they entered by Mr Michael Quinn MBE, Principal Lecturer for Hospitality Roy Southworth and special Guest Tamiko Miyake who presented herself wearing the Traditional ceremonial Kimono of Japan.
Canapés included sushi served in lacquer boxes, a parsnip soup served in small glasses and pre dinner drinks were served in the lounge area before the guest entered the dinning room for a mouth watering feast of Western Australian products prepared and served by the hospitality lecturers and student at Swan TAFE (see menu here).
The evening was supported by Western Australian producers and suppliers to the hospitality Industry by donating food and fine wines for the evening. Michael addressed the guest with what can only be described as a life changing speech. His delivery made a huge impact on all who attended. The evening was hugely successful and as provided a platform for Arkglobal to be given a life here in Australia and as opened in roads to all major hospitality organisations in the Perth industry. Michael left behind a Jacket worn at the seminars containing the Arkglobal logo and The Ritz Hotel London logo which has been signed by the staff and student who worked so hard to make the evening a success. It will be framed and placed on show in College to celebrate the evening. We have gained support from the Australian Culinary Federation, Western Australian chapter President Mr Patrick O’Brien who has contacted the president and members in other states for support, The Catering Institute of Australia WA and Swan TAFE Managing Director Mr Wayne Collyer has sent letters of support to other Managing Directors at the TAFE’s I organised Michael to visit in, Adelaide, Canberra, Cairns, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Mr Collyer will also be introducing him to other Managing Directors of TAFE throughout Australia at the largest trade competitions in Australia held in Sydney this July, it is hoped that Michael will be given the opportunity to give his inspirational speech at the World Skills dinner.
Michael left Perth on the 22nd June for Adelaide and will now be receiving a warm welcome in each state with people wanting to meet and help with this much needed initiative.
ABC Radio interview here