Oaks Resort Hervey Bay celebrates 15 years

Fifteen years after Hervey Bay’s first flash high-rise hotel was opened, we spoke to long term staff about their brushes with famous faces and the highs and lows of the tourism industry. PHOTOS, VIDEO.

When it opened amid much fanfare in 2007, it was the first of its kind for the Fraser Coast.

Peppers Pier Resort, as it was then known, rose up across from the Urangan Pier in it’s six-storey glory and was seen in business and tourism circles as a major milestone in Hervey Bay’s history.

Penthouse units with their rooftop spas and sweeping ocean views sold off the plan for record amounts, the $80 million complex was the epitome of luxury in the Bay at the time and hosted mayoral balls and high-flying corporates.

By 2009 however, in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis and amid trouble with the bank, the developer, Hervey Bay Pier Resort, and its stake in 21 units as well as the adjoining Bayswater Hotel, was placed in the hands of receivers.

A fire sale followed in March, 2010.

The resort has since had multiple changes in management, monikers (for a period it was known as Oceans Resort and Spa) and makeovers (so too has the Bayswater which along with neighbouring Salt Cafe is currently in the steady hands of the Hervey Bay RSL).

Now however, under Oaks Resort Hervey Bay, the resort is at top of its game and celebrating its 15-year anniversary.

LOOKING BACK: The view of the then Peppers Pier Resort at its official opening in 2007.

The Oaks Resort family has around 30 staff members, some of whom have been there since the start.

Housekeeping manager Julie Wynn was part of the original resort opening in 2007.

She celebrated her 15 year milestone on March 24, leads a team of 20 and can still remember unwrapping the lamps and bedding for the first time.

Asked about her favourite memory she replied “God, there’s lots”.

“I’m still here,” Ms Wynn said.

“I do anything for my team, I’ve got a good team at the moment …

“I do enjoy coming to work most days … I enjoy my hours that I do.”

Ms Wynn explained there had been many lows during her time at the resort, but also many highs.

Long term staff members Manuel Cayabyab and Julie Wynn with Oaks Resort manager Sue McLennan.

“The biggest challenge really is staffing for me in the housekeeping department, and especially with Covid just trying to find workers that want to come to work and do the work as well,” she said

“The last couple of years have been the most challenging.”

Resort manager Sue McLennan joined the Oaks Resort family in 2019, just before the pandemic.

“It’s been a rollercoaster,” Ms McLennan said.

“We’ve never actually closed, so we were one of those essential services that never shut down, that never ceased operating.”

Ms McLennan said while the resort dropped occupancy “massively” during the first lockdown, and a few staff were temporarily stood down, it did not last long.

“Hervey Bay has just performed above expectations and I think throughout all of the Covid thing, a lot of Queenslanders have discovered Hervey Bay for the first time because it was one of the places they could travel to,” she said.

The view from a penthouse unit.

Smiling Senior Guest Service Agent Manuel Cayabyab is going on 13 years at the resort.

Travelling nearly 40 minutes from Maryborough everyday to work, the 66-year-old told the Chronicle he would not have it any other way.

He was 19 when he started in the hospitality industry in the Philippines.

While he previously worked on cruise liners and five star island resorts, Mr Cayabyab fell in love with the resort when coming to Australia.

“I loved the building, I loved the position and the set up,” he said.

Mr Cayabyab said the best part about working on reception was the people.

“Working in a hotel I know my main job is to ensure the wellbeing of the guests, then protect the company and also work harmoniously with the colleagues,” he said

“Since I’ve started working in a hotel, that’s my aim.”

Hervey Bay's iconic Oaks Resort turns 15 years old.

The Oaks Resort team reminisced about celebrities the resort has hosted, including high profile politicians like former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and reality TV stars like the Married At First Sight cast

They say all guests however, are treated equally.

“It doesn’t matter how much money they’re spending, to them it’s special, so we try and make it special,” Ms McLennan said.

“We’re all VIPs as I say,” Ms Wynn added.