The Eurobodalla Shire has been at the centre of the fire grounds that affected the NSW south coast over the past couple of months — culminating in the dreadful events of New Year’s Eve when several hundred homes and numerous businesses were destroyed.
As ash and smoke fill the air, there is a palpable sense of loss and emptiness in the shire. BelgraviaPRO’s Operations Manager, Richard Lykke says “what was once a collection of tranquil seaside villages, full of happy families enjoying their summer breaks, looks more like a war zone.”
BelgraviaPRO staff have played an essential role in response to this crisis. Staff were well-prepared, having reviewed their EMPs and undertaken fire evacuation drills in the lead up to the peak season.
Lykke said, “they discharged all of their duties with distinction and represented BelgraviaPRO admirably.”
Moruya North Head and Mystery Bay Campgrounds were evacuated by Caretakers Andrew McArthy and Damon Hanson. The evacuation involved overseeing the safe and orderly removal of around 600 guests, numerous caravans, cars, boats, trailers, children and pets.
With only a narrow window of opportunity, staff members that were supervising the evacuation did so at the risk of being unable to get themselves through fire-affected roads to the north and south in time to defend their own homes and families.
At Dalmeny Campground, Managers Col Towers and Sue Parrey evacuated over one hundred sites. However, they elected to remain on-site themselves to look after several guests who were unable to leave due to traffic congestion, limited fuel supplies and complete collapse of telephone, Internet and Eftpos facilities.
Col and Sue also provided assistance and a safe haven for dozens of Dalmeny residents who, having been advised to leave their homes but unable to reach the official evacuation centre, sought refuge from the fire threat within the campgrounds.
They provided comfort, security and support in what was a very traumatic period. Col and Sue kept the amenities blocks open and operating, provided numerous snacks and warm cups of tea despite there being no power for several days. All the while, they always remained available for a word of encouragement and good cheer.
Pictured above are Col and Sue presenting a donation of $500 to the Dalmeny RFS Captain Greg Hill and one of his team members, to thank them for their support, guidance and advice during these events.
We’re happy to announce that the campgrounds have re-opened for business, all the major highways are now open and safe.
Slowly but surely, things are going back to normal for The Eurobodalla Shire as the community comes together when we need it most.
COVID Safe Practices
/in News /by Sharon MassonImportant Information
We are open for business! We would like to reassure all of our Guests that we are operating with COVID safe plans in place.
Please read the following important information regarding COVID
We are working to ensure our Park remains a safe place to visit and work. The health and safety of our community is our main priority, we always uphold a high standard of hygiene and are taking extra precautions during this time.
STAYING ON TRACK
This is no time to get complacent. More than ever, we should help continue to keep our Community and State safe!
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
Our Priority is You
Our number one priority is the health and safety of guests and staff.
📱 Download the COVIDSafe app to protect your community and help us to find the virus faster.
Have a question?
Our team are here to support you and answer any questions you may have. Please reach out, give us a call or enquire below.
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BelgraviaPRO successfully transitions into First Sun Holiday Park and Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Park in Byron Shire
/in /by Juliet WoodwardBelgraviaPRO has recently been awarded the tender to manage the First Sun Holiday Park and Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Park in the Byron Shire.
With a broad range of tourism and accommodation sites under its portfolio including the world-famous Hepburn Retreat in Victoria and the challenging remote Birdsville Caravan Park property in Queensland, BelgraviaPRO has repeatedly produced quality results from the sites that come under its extensive management dossier.
“We are proud of our partnership approach towards management of our tourism and holiday assets. We have taken the time to develop an in-depth understanding of the local area and we are thrilled to be given the opportunity to improve the guest experience at both First Sun and Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Parks.” said Damian Gorman, General Manager of Business Development at BelgraviaPRO.
With an excellent track record in a variety of different environments ranging from high end resorts to remote outback locations, BelgraviaPRO is proud of its partnership approach towards management of its tourism and holiday assets.
By actively working with the local community to complement and support the local tourism industry, BelgraviaPRO is confident that First Sun and Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Parks will strike an important balance between a focus on the tourist market and the local community.
Mr Gorman said, “We also believe that in partnership with Council, greater community outcomes can be achieved, in particular providing greater alignment with other tourist destinations and operators in Byron.”
BelgraviaPRO partners with more than 10 government and non-government organisations to operate over 25 holiday park destinations across Australasia.
Eurobodalla Shire Council Campgrounds Back in Business After Devastating Bushfires
/in News /by Brooke LindsayThe Eurobodalla Shire has been at the centre of the fire grounds that affected the NSW south coast over the past couple of months — culminating in the dreadful events of New Year’s Eve when several hundred homes and numerous businesses were destroyed.
As ash and smoke fill the air, there is a palpable sense of loss and emptiness in the shire. BelgraviaPRO’s Operations Manager, Richard Lykke says “what was once a collection of tranquil seaside villages, full of happy families enjoying their summer breaks, looks more like a war zone.”
BelgraviaPRO staff have played an essential role in response to this crisis. Staff were well-prepared, having reviewed their EMPs and undertaken fire evacuation drills in the lead up to the peak season.
Lykke said, “they discharged all of their duties with distinction and represented BelgraviaPRO admirably.”
Moruya North Head and Mystery Bay Campgrounds were evacuated by Caretakers Andrew McArthy and Damon Hanson. The evacuation involved overseeing the safe and orderly removal of around 600 guests, numerous caravans, cars, boats, trailers, children and pets.
With only a narrow window of opportunity, staff members that were supervising the evacuation did so at the risk of being unable to get themselves through fire-affected roads to the north and south in time to defend their own homes and families.
At Dalmeny Campground, Managers Col Towers and Sue Parrey evacuated over one hundred sites. However, they elected to remain on-site themselves to look after several guests who were unable to leave due to traffic congestion, limited fuel supplies and complete collapse of telephone, Internet and Eftpos facilities.
Col and Sue also provided assistance and a safe haven for dozens of Dalmeny residents who, having been advised to leave their homes but unable to reach the official evacuation centre, sought refuge from the fire threat within the campgrounds.
They provided comfort, security and support in what was a very traumatic period. Col and Sue kept the amenities blocks open and operating, provided numerous snacks and warm cups of tea despite there being no power for several days. All the while, they always remained available for a word of encouragement and good cheer.
Pictured above are Col and Sue presenting a donation of $500 to the Dalmeny RFS Captain Greg Hill and one of his team members, to thank them for their support, guidance and advice during these events.
We’re happy to announce that the campgrounds have re-opened for business, all the major highways are now open and safe.
Slowly but surely, things are going back to normal for The Eurobodalla Shire as the community comes together when we need it most.
Sand, sun, smiles – is this the career opportunity you’ve been looking for?
/in News /by Brooke LindsayA life working in tourism is now on offer at BelgraviaPRO, with its revamped course now taking expressions of interest for February 2020.
The shorter, condensed course includes online elements coupled with practical hands-on learning to ensure participants are ready for the responsibilities of working in the tourism industry.
For many years BelgraviaPRO has offered its course externally, upskilling people into careers in the holiday park sector, but recently tweaked the course to manage an influx of younger people looking to enter the industry. It is now on offer to Belgravia Leisure staff who are looking for a tree, sea or lifestyle change.
“We are seeing more interest in young people entering careers in the tourism industry, especially at BelgraviaPRO,” said Darren Beck, Operational and RTO Support Manager.
“It’s a career now, more than ever. The holiday park industry is growing in Australia and there are many opportunities to develop your career with us whilst also realising the work/life balance we all aim to achieve.
One couple who found the course invaluable in transitioning from trade to tourism is Darrell and Michelle Lamb, who manage the Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Park near Byron Bay.
“I’ve loved working in the industry,” said Darrell, a former electrician.
“We love the people, the responsibility of managing a park in such a beautiful location and the happiness we bring to people who are here to holiday.
“That’s probably the best thing about working in this industry, you are helping people have happy holidays. That’s what stands out to me.”
Darrell and Michelle are long-time locals in the Byron Bay region, and although they have completed previous courses in tourism, the course offered by BelgraviaPRO provided the most meaningful learning and outcomes to prepare them for their future careers.
“It has definitely been a great career move for me personally,” said Darrell.
“The course offered by BelgraviaPRO is superior to anything we have done before. We are very well prepared to handle any challenge that comes to us throughout the day. We can’t recommend the course enough.”
Express Your Interest
To express your interest in this exciting new course offered by BelgraviaPRO please email us here: info@belgraviapro.com.au
Please Note: If you are already a Belgravia staff member please let us know in the email so we can send you the relevant trainee information.
How good would this be as your office every day?
Betty scraps plans for the quiet life as she becomes a ‘matriarch of the park’
/in News /by Ranjit NairOcean Beach Tourist Park has been a permanent fixture on the stunning shores of Miami on Queensland’s Gold Coast for more than three decades – along with local legend Betty Thomasson.
The last remaining permanent resident at the park, Betty, 90, has lived through 34 summers at the park, watching the Gold Coast transform from a sleepy surfing village to the booming metropolis it has become today.
With the Gold Coast a magnet for international tourists, Betty decided to record their visits, starting a scrapbook earlier this year with a lovely Scottish couple who were visiting the park.
“It’s something Betty has decided to do in order to keep a record of some of the people she has met, but also to generate more awareness of the park, which is located on one of the best beaches in Australia,” said Gary Baldwin, Qld Regional Manager for Belgravia Leisure.
“Betty is an institution at the park. She is much-loved, so much that guests ask to be situated near her van when they return to the park.”
According to Mr Baldwin, Betty’s approach is unobtrusive, welcoming guests, hoping they enjoy their stay and that they remain safe during their further travels as well as sharing stories about her own life experiences.
“Betty sees it as her mission to become an ambassador for the park; the smiling face you see on arrival and departure,” Mr Baldwin said.
“Betty started her scrap book in February this year welcoming a Scottish couple followed by many others keen to share their stories and travels, whilst also hearing more about Betty’s story – her years living by the sea and the family she has created, including her five children, 12 grand and 16 great grandchildren,” he said.
Betty’s scrapbook now contains entries from 45 different nationalities that have visited the park throughout 2019 keeping the agile retiree busier than ever.