MARY VALLEY uxury cabins, gourmet chefs and stunning landscapes ... if you thought of the Noosa hinterland you would be right, but it’s actually a bit closer than that in Mary Valley Country. Mary Valley businesses are pitching themselves at the celebration market to encourage people with a reason to party, whether it be a birthday, wedding or other private function, to visit the valley instead of heading further afield. Business operators targeting this market are urged to attend a meeting on February 27 to further develop a collaborative marketing approach for the Mary Valley. The quality and diversity of accommodation, venues and catering was showcased at a speed marketing event at newly opened B&B Connacht Gleann at Brooloo this month. Twenty businesses gave a snapshot of their product in one-minute slideshow presentations. From the award-winning working property Yabbaloumba Retreat with luxuriously appointed cottages on the edge of the Conondale National Park, to the authentic bush camping experience of Brooloo Park, there was something for everyone. The event was organised by Malcolm Oakley, who with Christine Buckley operates Amamoor Lodge B&B. Malcolm has been working with the Mary Valley Country marketing committee to develop the “Celebrate with Mary” theme. “It’s an easy concept,” Malcolm said. “We want businesses to collaborate and bring more people into the Mary Valley. We need businesses to get to know each other’s products so that there is a referral system here where we all help each other.” Andrew Saunders from Destination Gympie was enthusiastic for the initiative. “This is exactly what the tourism industry needs - businesses are bundling experiences and going out into the market place.” Michael and Kate O’Dwyer have just opened Connacht Gleann as a function centre and bed and breakfast, and saw that hosting the networking event was a great opportunity to show off their property.
Mary Valley Voice
“We think the Mary Valley is the best place to raise our children. We live here and we want to share it with others,” Michael said, referring to the expansive B&B which is a faithful renovation of two Queenslander homes connected by a function room and verandahs. Cabins, studios, traditional B&B accommodation, camping, golf, catering, wedding planning, farmstays, 60s entertainment, bus transport and festivals were all a part of the Mary Valley’s appeal. The next step for “Celebrate with Mary” is a meeting on February 27, venue to be advised. Inquiries to celebrate@themaryvalley.com.au or to Malcom Oakley on 5484 3500.
Connacht Gleann B&B hosts Michael and Kate O’Dwyer (left) with Renae and Simon Vicic of the Event Catering Company.
Laughing Out Loud! RIDDLE There was an accident – a big truck got stuck under a bridge in the middle of a road. It was trying to pass through the bridge, but a few inches got it complete stuck. Firemen and policemen came to the scene of the accident. They brought heavy equipment and tried pulling the truck out. No success. A little boy stepped in and get it out with a pin. How did he do it? he got the air out of the tyres
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Celebrate with Mary, not Noosa or Maleny!
NEXT ISSUE DATES & DEADLINES
EDITOR- Laetitia Hoffmann - maryvalleyvoice@aanet.com.au ADVERTISING - Jill Guldbransen - jillguldbransen@gotalk.net.au - 0427 860 120 or 5494 9918.
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MVV 5 Mar 2014 - Vol.24 #4 - Deadline Fri 21 Feb 2014 • MVV 19 Mar 2014 - Vol.24 #5 - Deadline Fri 7 Mar 2014
PUBLISHED EVERY FORTNIGHT 2260x A4 sized copies / 16-20pp colour + mono. CIRCULATION: 1665 x MAILBOXED to communities of Conondale, Kenilworth, Imbil, Kandanga, Amamoor, Dagun, Gheerulla, Brooloo and Belli Park / Kenilworth-Eumundi Rd. Rest are BULK DROPS: Incl. various shops, Crystal Waters, K Newsagent, K Info Centre, 50x Mapleton IGA and 350x IGA Cooroy. Mary Valley Community News Association Inc, publishers of the Mary Valley Voice, reserves the right to refuse inappropriate advertising and submissions for both print and website, and any opinions expressed in any published advertisements or submissions does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Association or its editor. It also reserves the right to determine what is inappropriate for publication purposes.
14| February 19, 2014