Dayne Beams in party spat with Yarra Valley venue owner

Pies premiership player Dayne Beams has been caught up in a dispute with a Yarra Valley venue owner who refused his booking.

Pies premiership player Dayne Beams has been caught up in a dispute with a Yarra Valley venue owner while trying to organise a birthday party for his wife Kelly.

Surely footballers know better than to trot out the ol’ “don’t you know who I am” line.

Not so for Dayne Beams, who also pulled the “I’ve got over 100 hundred thousand followers” line.

It all started when the former Collingwood premiership player took issue with a Yarra Valley wedding venue operator after she told him they would not arrange his wife Kelly’s 30th birthday celebrations next month.

Olinda Yarra Estate owner Shelley Hughes said the former AFL player contacted her to inquire about numbers and pricing for his wife’s milestone party.

Beams and Hughes went back and forth on the cost of children at the event.

Before Hughes abruptly cancelled the booking.

After he first tried to haggle over prices, Hughes said she felt Beams was not being as “transparent” as she would like about guest numbers and she told him she was politely refusing to go ahead with the proposed event.

What she said ensued was a barrage of texts from Beams telling her about his “social media presence” after she told him her venue could not assist him.

“He was trying to talk down prices. In the end I said I’m sorry but I’m not interested,” Hughes told Page 13 on Friday.

“He was not being transparent and as a venue we have to be really careful working within work safety guidelines and COVID-safe practices.

“He kept changing numbers. I politely suggested he find somewhere else and then the barrage of texts started coming through.

“I don’t even know who he is, but he kept saying I’m a retired AFL footballer and this will badly reflect on your business and venue.”

Beams on Friday told Page 13 he had now booked another venue.

Beams then messaged Hughes claiming her actions were “unfair”.

Beams then provided his background as an AFL player and his Instagram follow count.

He said he took issue with Olinda Yarra Estate because he had booked the venue only for it to be rescinded after he asked about guest numbers, in particular kids.

“The numbers didn’t keep changing, I was just getting a gauge on what it would cost,” Beams said.

“I think she got gauge of the fact that we had children involved and as all wineries that sook about kids, she got the sh-ts because we had kids and decided to send a message saying she wasn’t interested because I wasn’t been transparent.

“I was being completely transparent because I was trying to gauge how many people were involved and what it would cost.”

He said he pulled the “don’t you know who I am” to warn her he wasn’t your average

Jo Blow.

“People can’t just be rude and blunt to people because you never know who you are talking to. She could be rude and it could be some Jo Blow that has no impact on anyone in the community. The fact she was rude to me, I’m not going to just let that slide.

“The facts are I had this booked, she decided to pull the pin and be rude about it.”

Hughes texted Beams saying she “just wants this to end”.

Beams replied saying Hughes had treated him “like complete sh*t”.

After giving Hughes a deadline to “apologise”, Beams posted a review about Hughes and the venue on Facebook.

“I was trying to book in my wife’s 30th birthday, logistically the numbers required weren’t adding up so naturally I was asking a few questions so I could I get an exact idea of who we could and couldn’t invite and to let everyone know how much it was going to be,” wrote Beams.

“I received an appalling message back from Shelley basically calling me a time waster and how they run a huge business and she doesn’t have time for people like me. I was shocked to say the least, this was an extremely poor way to treat someone.

“My mental health and confidence around organising this has taken a hit because of it and I think Shelley should be ashamed.

“I will be recommending to everyone through my social media platforms and word of mouth to stay clear of Olinda Estate and Shelley. Really disappointing.”

A series of text messages seen by Page 13 show Beams and Hughes discussing the 30th birthday arrangements and working toward settling on a deposit.

After being told 50 guests could be priced at $80 per person, Beams then asked at what age kids would be free of charge because “some will have kids coming like ourselves, I’m checking that they aren’t counting as a guest?”

“I’m no longer interested in your booking Dayne,” Hughes wrote.

“You seem to be changing numbers and not transparent. We are a large venue with WorkSafe and covid-safe policies and require guests to be upfront with all details of their booking. I suggest you find elsewhere, regards Shelley.”

Beams’ subsequent review of Olinda Yarra Estate on Facebook.

Cue the “don’t you know who I am” line.

“I’ve just retired from professional AFL I’ve got over 1000 thousand followers across my social media channels as well as doing work on radio and TV. I’m also a mental health advocate who does lots of work within community and have had my own battles.

“This sort of behaviour is exactly what makes people feel sh-t about themselves including myself,” he continued.

“I would hate for this to reflect badly on your venue so I’m willing to give you another chance with this and just move on.”

Hughes said she felt compelled to speak out after her venue had been trashed online by the former AFL player.

“I really have no idea about this guy. We are a popular venue and been operating for three years. It’s torn me up.”

Beams, 31, retired from football last year after reaching a well-publicised contract settlement with Collingwood.

The 2010 premiership player has been vocal about his mental health battle and gambling addiction.

Beams said he referred to being a mental health advocate because he found the experience caused him stress.

“I’m trying to organise something for my wife’s 30th. How is this going to affect me moving forward? One, it causes a lot of stress and a lot of anxiety when someone can talk to you like that and think that it is okay,” Beams said.

“I’m not even relevant anymore. I’ve got bigger and better things to worry about.”