McEwen MP Fran Bailey, centre, congratulates the Australian Tourism Awards night’s big winners Gary and Vickie King of Narbethong.By Melissa Donchi
A NARBETHONG business has won a major prize in the 2006 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.
The night belonged to Gary and Vickie King, whose Woodlands Rainforest Bungalow took out the top prize in the most highly contested category, Hosted Accommodation.
“We didn’t expect it all,” Mr King said. “We’re still in shock.”
The Kings decided to enter the competition after an anonymous review was written about the business in 2004 and was subsequently included in the annual Fairfax publication 52 Weekends Away.
Encouraged by the positive review, the Kings entered the Victorian Tourism Awards for the first time last year and won. But it is the national prize that has really put the local business on the tourism map.
“The award is significant for two reasons, really,” Mr King said.
“It’s the first time in a decade or so that Victoria has won in this category, but we’re also a microbusiness and a husband and wife team.”
Almost 200 of Australia’s best hotels, properties, attractions, festivals and major events, along with indigenous and ecotourism attractions, were shortlisted for the prestigious awards, with 27 awards presented across the evening.
The winners were announced on Friday at Sydney’s Star City Casino and Hotel, with Victoria taking home seven awards.
McEwen MP and Federal Minister for Small Business and Tourism, Fran Bailey was on hand to present the award to the excited Kings.
“As the local member and Federal Tourism Minister, I was delighted and extremely proud to present the award for 2006 Hosted Accommodation category to Woodlands Bungalows at Narbethong,” Ms Bailey said.
“This follows on from its success in last year’s Victorian Tourism Awards, clearly demonstrating that our local operators are leading the way in our tourism industry, and I congratulate Gary and Vickie King on setting the standard for this category.”
The Kings were up against fierce competition, with one South Australian business waiting to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“If you win three years in a row you get inducted into the Hall of Fame, “ Mr King said.
“So you can imagine how motivated they would have been.
“It’s just really a great honour to be recognised by the industry.”
