Opening doors to the hospitality industry

The ELTHAM College VCE VET Hospitality program is drawn from a national training package and offers portable qualifications, which are recognised throughout Australia. ELTHAM College has received the VCE VET Student of the Year State Premier’s Award 14 times since we began offering the program.

Swipers Gully Training Centre is a fully licensed restaurant and runs as part of the student VET course and is open to the public during school terms.

Getting a headstart in our coffee shop

Students in Years 8 and 9 operate the College Coffee Shop within the restaurant, with particular focus on Year 9 students exploring employment and work experience opportunities. This helps to make a connection between learning and the workplace, and supports our students to find part-time work.

Students complete four consecutive days of work experience during the school day. Students are rostered to work in the Coffee Shop in groups of four in Semester 1, and groups of two in Semester 2.

Coffee Shop is open Monday to Friday 8.30am – 12.00pm, for the duration of each term.

Industry training in our restaurant

Students from years 10, 11 and 12 work at Swipers Gully Training Restaurant, an industrial kitchen, as part of their VET Hospitality course.  This allows Year 10, 11 and 12 students to attain qualifications with the knowledge and skills to prepare them for a diverse range of occupations in the hospitality industry, including commercial cookery, catering, and food and beverage service. 

Students benefit from acquiring real world workplace skills during their studies while participating in work experience at the live restaurant. Students benefit from acquiring real world workplace skills and experience. At ELTHAM, we strive to ensure that all our young people are world-ready. A crucial element to this is equipping them with the life skills they need to graduate.

Open to the public

While you enjoy a quick coffee, brunch or a tasty three course meal in the evening, you will see our wonderful students in action. Sit back, relax and enjoy the stunning views, excellent service and delicious food. 

As you enjoy a delightful meal, you will also be helping our students gain nationally accredited training qualifications.

COFFEE SHOP
Open Monday to Friday 8.30am to midday. Reservations are required for groups over 8 people, please call 9437 2222. 

RESTAURANT
Open Monday to Wednesday evenings at 6.30pm. To make a reservation for our restaurant, please call 9437 2222. Please mention when booking any dietary requirements and the students will make something to accommodate your needs.

Guest chef experiences

Featuring chefs with local and international acclaim, our Guest Chef series provides students the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, in an environment that is reflective of top quality restaurants.

Guest Chef - Stephen Mercer this July 2024

Book now for this popular Guest Chef dinner by Stephen Mercer of Mercer's Restaurant.

Follow Swipers Gully on Facebook for future Guest Chef announcements.

History

This outstanding facility was established in 2002 to create opportunities for ELTHAM students to gain nationally accredited training qualifications in hospitality. The name Swipers Gully was chosen by members of the ELTHAM College community because of our location at the head of the waterway known locally as Swipers Gully. Local legend suggests that Swipers Gully was also an early name for the district of Research during the gold rushes, although the exact origin seems to have been lost with time.

The vineyard

The Swipers Gully vineyard of six grape varieties was planted in 1992 and covers two of the College’s 48 hectares. It yielded its first vintage in 2003. Swipers wines are permitted to be served by students during restaurant service as part of the students workplace training.