Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews officially opened the new $20 million Curlewis Clubhouse and Accommodation facility on Wednesday.
The premier joined Bellarine MP Lisa Neville for a tour of the complex, a meeting with Curlewis staff and local business and community leaders before speaking to invited guests and participating in a ribbon cutting ceremony.
“It was incredibly exciting for everyone here at Curlewis to welcome the premier to the region for the official launch of the new facility,” co-owner and director Lyndsay Sharp said.
“The premier’s passion and knowledge of golf was very much at the forefront of his dialogue, which engaged the room.
Ms Sharp said the Portarlington Road facility was the most “exciting and terrifying” project she and husband, co-owner and director David, had ever undertaken.
“It was lovely to get a chance to speak with him [Mr Andrews] and show him around what is the biggest – and riskiest – project David and I have ever undertaken.
“We’re so very proud of it and extremely grateful the premier could find the time to visit our special part of the world.”
Ms Sharp said there was a “desperate need for accommodation across Geelong and the Bellarine”.
“It ended up being a logical adjunct to our existing operations here at Curlewis and I hope that it will help attract tourists, conferences, functions and golf groups,” she said.
“With sleepovers comes increased awareness, exploration and enjoyment of all our magical little region has to offer – and the subsequent economic injection into small businesses of the region is significant.
“There’s so much to see, do, explore and experience. We hope what we’ve built will contribute, in a small way, to reinvigorating local economic recovery and the capability to focus on a positive future.”
Mr Andrews used a pair of golden scissors to open the facility.
“The ceremonial scissors were hilarious – they were enormous and had the appropriate bling factor, but when it came to cutting the ribbon they were about as useful as using a cotton bud to do the job,” Ms Sharp said.
