By KATH GANNAWAY
LOCAL business and community members joined VIBE management and staff on Friday 12 February, to celebrate the first birthday of the $28million development that brought large-scale accommodation and conference facilities to the town.
Located on the prominent site of the former Cumberland/Keppel’s hotel site, the 100-room, four-star hotel and conference centre has welcomed 30,000 guests since opening on 9 February last year.
“Those guests have then had the pleasure of experiencing this amazing town,” said VIBE area general manager, Gillian Quinan.
Ms Quinan said the most important thing she had to say to everyone involved as they celebrated one year in operation was a sincere ‘thank you’.
“I want to thank you for your guidance, friendship, the laughs, and sometimes the tears, and for your ongoing support and feedback,” she said.
“We are very excited about all the things that will come and seeing the business grow.”
Ms Quinan said VIBE employed local people from Marysville and nearby communities, including some who had relocated to be part of this community.
Murrindindi Council CEO Margaret Abbey and Cathedral Ward councillor Christine Challen said the higher volume accommodation and conference centre that was identified very soon after the 2009 bushfires as critical to getting Marysville back on its feet, had made a difference.
“VIBE has well and truly given presence to the main street,” Ms Abbey said.
“A lot of people remember Marysville for the guest houses and they have not seen guest houses, they think there is no accommodation in the town.
“This not only gives us 100 beds, it says that we have lots of accommodation and that Marysville is a lovely place to stay.”
Cr Challen said it had also provided momentum for new businesses and shops in the main street.
Owner of Black Spur Inn in Narbethong said it had made a difference.
“We all work in partnership,” she said.
“If VIBE does a marketing campaign, the phone starts ringing.
“It’s great for the region.”
