Plans for Spicers’ guests
Fire-ravaged resort puts visitors first
ALTERNATIVE arrangements will be made for upcoming weddings scheduled at Spicers Hidden Vale resort devastated by fire.
The restaurant, kitchen and reception building of the Grandchester establishment were engulfed in flames on Saturday.
Almost 100 staff and guests at a nearby wedding were evacuated as flames quickly took hold of the historic homestead.
It was brought under control with Queensland Fire and Emergency Service units remaining at the scene until 11.50pm soaking embers.
Despite the accommodation buildings and many other retreat facilities remaining intact, wedding guests were evacuated from the site.
Hidden Vale is the flagship property in the Spicers group of eight resorts, owned by Flight Centre founder Graham Turner and his wife Jude.
Spicers Retreats marketing director Kira Klein said the couple had been married and staff looked after them “as best we could”.
“Obviously it’s certainly not something anyone would dream of on their wedding day,” she said.
Queensland Police said the fire was not suspicious.
Ms Klein said employees were devastated to lose the homestead.
“It’s certainly a loss but we’re absolutely going to rebuild and we’ll be doing so so quickly - as quick as we possibly can,” she said.
She described entering the building, which is more than 100 years old, like “stepping back in time”.
The Spicers Retreats team spent Sunday assessing upcoming bookings and making alternative arrangements.
“Fortunately at Spicers Hidden Vale we’ve got a lot of alternative facility sites so we are confident we’ll be back up and running quite quickly,” she said.
“We’ll be contacting all of the brides and grooms upcoming to put together a plan.”
Hidden Vale Homestead was the location where the real-life inspiration for Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007, Sidney Cotton, grew up.