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On the Beach Resort - Bribie Island

Uniquely furnished modern and spacious apartments opening out to an uninterrupted ocean view and glistening golden sand.

These are just some of the highlights of the 4½-star On the Beach Resort at Bribie Island, Queensland — located 70 km north of Brisbane.

On site managers, Sally and Garry Rigby took over management rights on July 1 this year. Although not new to the hospitality accommodation industry, this is their first management rights business.

"We came from England to New Zealand ten years ago. I was working fulltime at the Massey University in Palmerston North and Garry needed something to do so we bought a motel in NZ and ended up having three different motels in the North Island," said Sally.

Coming from a background of hospitality in England where Garry was involved in the family snooker, bar and cinema business, transition into the motel and now management rights business was a natural progression plus Garry was used to interacting with a variety of people.

After three years at the university Sally then became involved full-time in the accommodation industry with Garry.

"We became interested in management rights when we stayed in holiday apartments during our visits to Australia and we found out more about it through the owners," Sally explained. "We wanted to come over here to the sunshine and, although management rights is similar to the motel industry, it does give you more free time."

Originally the Rigbys wanted to move to Noosa but as they have a dog they had to find something that would accommodate their pet.

"We couldn't find what we wanted at Noosa so Glenn Millar from Resort Brokers suggested we have a look at Bribie Island," Sally continued. "Initially we said we didn't want to come this far out but when we did we fell in love with it."

"By then we had seen about eight management rights businesses before we viewed On the Beach Resort on the Sunday and put an offer in the next day.

"Like anything, it has its moments but it is our own business and we steer it. We can see the direction we are going to take it," said Sally

There are always new things to learn and management rights offered a few challenges such as learning the hospitality software package and trust accounting. Sally runs the administrative side of the business, while Garry attends to general maintenance as well as the spa and pool, gardening and anything else that keeps the business running smoothly.

The first newsletter to the apartment owners informing them about proposed future improvement and marketing plans was well timed with the September launch of the new website for On the Beach Resort.

Cleaning is supplemented by local contract cleaners and other local businesses are utilised when needed.

Guests have a luxurious choice of accommodation from the 26 apartments in the available letting pool of the total 37 apartments. There are two apartment blocks. One is the Tower Block with lift access to the five levels of 21, one- and two-bedroom apartments and six luxury penthouses.

The other is a villa block with four, three-bedroom ground floor apartments and then six penthouses set over three levels.

The three-bedroom ground level beachfront apartments are popular with families because of the private gated courtyard and are only seconds from the beach.

Added features of the resort are: a 20m saltwater pool and spacious sundeck; poolside barbeque facilities; beautiful Balinese-themed gardens; undercover parking; two nearby parks in Woorim with modern play equipment, picnic areas and skateboard park and it is only a short walk to cafés, restaurants, bakery, newsagent, chemist, doctor's surgery and other shops.

There is something to suit everyone including a choice of two golf courses, water sports, fishing, boating, surfing, four-wheel driving, parasailing, nature walks, eco tours and ferry cruises to the beautiful Pumicestone Passage. Right at the doorstep of On the Beach Resort is the clean, friendly, award winning and daily patrolled Woorim surf beach.

Built only five years ago, On the Beach Resort is one of those secret getaways where beautiful ocean views and native scenery abound as well as the opportunity to be involved in an array of interesting activities or just doing your own thing. Imagine sitting in your own private spa, gazing out to the magnificent views over Moreton Bay, watching passing ships or the gracefulness of dolphins.

For resort managers out there who need a break, the Rigbys offer a special rate when you book your well earned holiday, through them, at On The Beach Resort.

"We have always wanted to live by the sea," shared Sally and Garry. "For us it is the most fabulous place to live and work especially with the gorgeous weather, pristine beach at our front door and magnificent surrounding scenery.

"The guests love it much for the same reasons as us — no roads to cross, by the sea and a beautiful beach."

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