With Scenic founder, Glen Moroney

Why did you start the business, and what was your previous background?

After leaving school I went to university to do a commerce degree and after a break working at Newcastle steelworks to pay for the degree I left in year three without completing the course. My father at that time was involved in property development and after assisting with the redevelopment of Belmont Caravan Park & the Sundowner Hotel near Ipswich I was asked to “see what could be done” at the Riverside Gardens Motel in Warrnambool. The hotel was empty at the time and a previous entertainer that had worked there advised they used to have many coach groups staying for extended periods. As our hotel was well out of town off the main road and didn’t have a liquor licence it seemed like the only opportunity so I packaged a tour that stayed six nights at the hotel touring the local sights and then sold it to a number of senior citizen and Probus groups initially in the Newcastle central coast region and then afterwards to Sydney and beyond.

Can you name some of the biggest decisions you’ve made in the business?

Certainly signing contracts for our first four river cruise ships for well over AU$100M was one that stands out. I had no finance at the time but knew the opportunity wouldn’t last forever so had to make a tough one. Of course it’s worked out well but during the GFC we had our moments.

Did you think 30 years ago the business would be this big?

I don’t think we’re that big. I’d say in another 30 years we could be a substantial company.

What’s a career highlight?

When we launch Scenic Eclipse. It’ll be truly special. As will a few after that...