Dream, Believe, Achieve: Carla Ott aviano realises her dreams with a career in hospitality

Carla Ottaviano, a grandmother of ten and a Dream Believe Achieve graduate, has transformed her life in ways she never thought possible. Early on, Carla had to pause her career to support her growing family. After raising her children, without any formal qualifications, Carla faced challenges re-entering the workforce. Determined to secure employment, Carla opted to enrol in the Dream, Believe, Achieve program facilitated by Allara Learning and the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville.

Dream, Believe, Achieve aims to provide comprehensive hospitality training, giving students industry-related skills and a nationally recognised Certificate III in Hospitality. Under the guidance of professional trainers from Allara Learning and dedicated indigenous Cowboys mentors, participants engage in both classroom-based and hands-on learning. The program also includes valuable work experience at local venues, allowing students to apply their skills in real-world settings. Upon completion, students receive support in securing paid employment within the industry.

Carla and her peers acquired new skills such as mixology and food and beverage service. The program's work experience component was conducted at 1300 SMILES Stadium, offering students exposure to authentic working environments within the stadium’s restaurants, bars, and food preparation areas. Additionally, visits from past and present Cowboys players served to motivate and inspire the trainees. Following the completion of her Certificate III in Hospitality, Carla was offered a position as a food and beverage attendant at Townsville’s premier hotel and casino – The Ville.

Beyond equipping Carla with the necessary skills for a successful hospitality career, the program profoundly impacted her outlook on life. “Dream, Believe, Achieve taught me everything I needed to know in hospitality and what I do in my job today; it was a wonderful experience and has taught me a lot,” Carla shared. “It has changed the way I dress, speak, and approach people; getting up and going to work for myself and for my kids is a beautiful feeling.”

Drawing from her personal journey, Carla recently inspired a new intake of Dream, Believe, Achieve students. Encouraging them, she said, “Put your mind to it and believe in yourself. Set your goal and get out there and achieve it, and let no one stand in your way – it’s your dream, no excuses!”

Dream, Believe, Achieve trainer Arthur Burchett reflected on Carla's journey, stating, “This course isn’t just a Certificate III in Hospitality; this is a life-changer. It was the proudest moment of my career to watch Carla attend every day, to help her grow in confidence and overcome all her challenges… Carla is an inspiration for all students who want to do the course with us. Mother of seven, grandmother of ten, as she says, ‘if I can do it, anyone can do it. If it’s really what you want, go out and get it’.”

Not only is Carla realising her own dreams, but she has also inspired her son Charles to study for a qualification in hairdressing and he has since opened his own salon.