Happy Birthday Maleny Visitor Information Centre

The first 25 years

By Lea Parkes

The Maleny Visitor Information Centre (MVIC) celebrated its first 25 years last Friday at an afternoon tea function at the Maleny Community Centre, bringing together current and retired volunteers who have been part of the centre’s journey.

Scilla Ecuyer, Geraldine Carson, Bryan Hughes and Bridget Sparks cutting the cake

Current president Scilla Ecuyer shared the history of how those 25 years unfolded, explaining that the Maleny Chamber of Commerce saw the need for an information centre in Maleny in 1994 to assist the growing number of visitors coming to Maleny.

Beryl / Norma Johnston was the coordinator of the founding group who included Loraine Duffy, Bert and Ann Brooker, Julie Salter, Edith Thorpe, Peter Erdmann, Del Friemann, Sam Dawes, and Phil and Patricia Jacobs.

Joan Benson became coordinator in 1995 until 2002 when she handed over the reins to Bridget Sparks who brought with her valuable experience in marketing. In January 2009 under Bridget’s leadership the Maleny Visitor Information Centre Inc was established.

Andrew Powell MP, president Scilla Ecuyer, Graham Gardner, Cr Jenny McKay and Allison Sleath

Bryan Hughes took over as president in 2011, which was a positive position strategically as he was also a member of the Maleny Community Centre (MCC) committee.

Bryan saw the opportunity for MVIC to move into new and more comfortable premises as part of the MCC rebuild, which included two shops at the front. This brought with it huge changes for the volunteers.

In 2013 the Maleny Visitors Information Centre moved into shop 2/23 Maple Street, where it is today in what is now a professionally run premises Scilla took on the leadership job in 2013 until 2015 when Geraldine Carson held the position for two years. In 2017 Scilla returned to the role.

There were special thanks and acknowledgement of each of the past presidents on the day as well as congratulations to volunteers who had completed ten or more years of service. These volunteers were Verle Ann Attwood, Lorraine Coyle, Helen Evans, Linda Fawkes, Marty Foster, Margaret and Don Ginns, Noel and Kay Kuskopf, Barry O’Connor, Anne Robertson, Bridget Sparks, Bridget Zanter and Laurel Wilson.

More photos on page 28.