Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) Karawa Restaurant have presented Autism NT Patron, His Honour Mr Ted Egan AO, Administrator of the Northern Territory, with proceeds raised at the recent inaugural Karawa charity dinner.
Staff from the CDU’s Palmerston Campus restaurant, Karawa, organised the dinner with students studying Vocational and Technical Education courses in cookery and hospitality.
VET lecturer and Karawa Restaurant manager, Oliver Budack said the inaugural dinner was a huge success and a valuable experience for the restaurant’s cookery and hospitality students.
‘Over 140 people attended the dinner and enjoyed the five-course meal and first-class services the students provided,’ said Mr Budack.
’It was a great opportunity for the students to showcase the cookery and hospitality skills they have learned during the semester,’ he said, ’and a terrific chance to raise funds for a worthy cause, such as Autism NT.’
Karawa Restaurant is a training restaurant at CDU’s Palmerston Campus, which provides VTE students with an opportunity to learn practical skills as part of their course.
The inaugural dinner raised over $7,000 for Autism NT, an organisation which aims to actively promote the acceptance of people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders in the Northern Territory.
Austistic Spectrum Disorders such as Autism and Asperger's Syndrome are a life long developmental disability that affects the individuals understanding of what she/he sees, hears and senses. This results in problems of social relationships, communication and behaviour.
The funds will be used by the organisation to raise awareness and acceptance of Autism in the NT and to provide services throughout the Northern Territory.