All Posts by McNevins Group

MCNEVINS MOTEL TAMWORTH AND WARWICK PROUDLY SUPPORTING 1200KMS FOR KIDS CHARITY BIKE RIDE IN OCTOBER 2012

McNevins Motels will again be supporting the 1200kms for Kids charity bike ride by donating all accommodation and meals for the riders and their support crew on October 13 at McNevins Motel in Tamworth, NSW and October 16 at McNevins Motel in Warwick, QLD.

Since 2006, more than 20 sets of tyres have been wearing a well worn path between Sydney and Brisbane for the 1200kms for kids annual charity bike ride. Conceived of by Trevelyan Bale and Gary Richardson as a way to give back to the hospitals that had given so much to their sick children, the ride travels 1200kms and now sees over 30 cyclists slogging out the gruelling track to raise money for vital equipment for children’s wards and hospital equipment.

Last October, McNevins Motel in Tamworth donated all accommodation and meals for the riders. They also organised a fundraiser on the motel grounds to further support the charity raising just over $4000 with an afternoon of sausage sizzles, raffles, auctions, jumping castles and home-grown Tamworth music.

With the help of the Humpty Dumpty Foundation and the Children’s Health Foundation, 1200kms for kids identifies hospitals that are in need of vital medical equipment and the money raised along the ride is given to hospitals in the local communities for life saving equipment.

A cheque of $31,200 was presented to the Tamworth hospital last October to purchase a giraffe warmer for the maternity ward, a life saving piece of equipment for premature babies.

McNevins Motels in Tamworth and Warwick will be greeting the weary riders and their tired legs again this October and ensuring the riders receive the same hospitality that had some of the riders commenting “we don’t want to leave”, so they can continue their hard work and focus on raising money for our community hospitals.

For more information on 1200kms for kids go to www.1200kmsforkids.com

WINNERS OF THE FRASER COAST TOURISM AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN DELUXE ACCOMMODATION 2012 AND 2013 AND 2014 WINNER FOR OUR SAILS RESTAURANT.

On Friday 12 October 2012, McNevins Maryborough Motel won the prestigious Fraser Coast Tourism Award for Excellence in Deluxe Accommodation, beating out stiff competition from the region and we at McNevins couldn’t be more thrilled!

The award recognises McNevins for our quality accommodation, excellent dedication to staff training, going above and beyond for our guests, excellent business and marketing practices and promoting local tourism in the Fraser Coast region.

“We always strive to ensure our guests have a home away from home by delivering the best in service, comfort and quality in our accommodation and our restaurant.   It is nice to be recognised for all our hard work!” said General Manager, Narelle McNevin.

“And we would never have won this award without our wonderful Maryborough Managers, Sharon and Clint, who ensure that each element of the Motel is running smoothly from day to day. We see this reflected in the wonderful feedback that we get from guests who often call it ‘good old-fashioned’ service.”

“Our Marketing Manager, Belinda Corcoran, has been implementing key measures such as loyalty programs to benefit our guests and ensure the success of our business. She has many more exciting things lined up for the next year which we cannot wait to roll out.”

“Apart from our deluxe accommodation, we also know that the exceptional quality of our restaurant meals is something we are really excited about promoting throughout Maryborough and we’d love to see more locals come and dine with us.”

“We have lots of exciting plans for the Motel and the Restaurant in the next twelve months to continue to be the best accommodation and restaurant in the region well beyond 2012.”

For more information visit http://.mcnevins.com.au or call (07) 4122 2888

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN TAMWORTH FROM SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER AT THE AUSTRALIAN EQUINE AND LIVESTOCK EVENTS CENTRE? HEAPS!

There are events galore happening in Tamworth at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC) from September until November from Rodeos, show-jumping championships to Wedding Expos!

Come and stay with us at McNevins and check out these fantastic events. http://.mcnevins.com.au/

September

• 1st September – Monty Roberts. – Tickets $110 each, General Admission. – On sale through Destination Tamworth – http://.visittamworth.com/ticket_sales.html or phone (02) 6767 5300 – Kids under 10 are FREE!
• 9th September – Tamworth Bridal Expo – Entry is a gold coin donation. 10am to 3pm
• 14th – 16th September – Australian Professional Rodeo Association – Tamworth Pro Rodeo & Team Roping Competition – Cow Boys In Blue (Fundraiser for NSW Police Legacy) – Adults – $35, Children U16 – $25 – On sale through Destination Tamworth –http://.vistittamworth.com/ticket_sales.html or phone (02) 6767 5300
• 28th September to 1st October – Agility Dog Association of Australia (ADAA) Grand Prix

October

• 10th – 13th October – Reining Australia National Futurity & Continental Championships
• 20th & 21st October – Australian Horseball Championships
• 25th – 28th October – NSW Indoor Show Jumping Championships

November

• 2nd – 4th November – NNWSJC Spring Show Jumping Championships
• 10th – 11th November – Northern NSW RPG Welsh Pony Show
• 24th November – PBR Tamworth Invitational – tickets on sale NOW!http://.visittamworth.com/ticket_sales.html or phone (02) 6767 5300.

THE MASTERCHEFS OF MCNEVINS – PART 1 – WARWICK

Head Chef, Grant Calvert, started his apprenticeship at the tender age of 19, and has been going from strength to strength ever since.

“I really love to cook and enjoy experimenting with new ingredients and ideas,” he said.

Being influenced by famous chefs such as Alastair McLeod, Jamie Oliver and Maggie Beer, Grant makes use of the local produce in the area and says he couldn’t live without the great beef that he gets in for the restaurant.

But when it comes down to it, Grant is just a little bit sweet “the one dish I could live on for the rest of my life is anything chocolate,” he says jokingly.

Grant joined McNevins as Head Chef at the Gunyah Restaurant in February 2012 and put together his autumn menu with some of the highlights being King Prawns wrapped in filo pastry, Lemon Scented Arancini Balls,  Gremolata Crusted Barramundi and Traditional Merguez sausage to name a few.

Despite having a decadent menu with fantastic produce, Grant says that what inspires him every day in the kitchen is his customers.

“I just love seeing empty plates come back to the kitchen and knowing I have satisfied customers,” he said.

McNevins Gunyah Restaurant is open Mon – Sat from 6pm and has a cocktail lounge area with fireplace that creates a cosy atmosphere in the cooler months.

MASTERCHEFS OF MCNEVINS – PART 2 – TAMWORTH

Andrew Hogan, Head Chef at McNevins Restaurant 999 in Tamworth, is quickly gaining the nickname as the ‘singing chef’ as you can often here him singing in the kitchen as he creates his tantalizing dishes. As one customer joked “You get dinner AND a show!”

Andrew has been cooking as long he can remember and says he was inspired to become a chef from watching his mother in the kitchen.  Now with 15 years professional experience he is still being inspired by renowned chefs such as Gordon Ramsay, Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver.

When asked what his favourite dish is he is quite emphatic on the matter: “Chicken, anything with chicken.”

With Andrew at the helm of Restaurant 999, the menu serves up a decadent a la carte menu with a Port and Prawn Scotch fillet steak and the Chicken Timbale being very popular choices.

Knowing what a difference great food and customer service can make to the overall dining experience, Andrew takes pride in making sure that the restaurant is running smoothly so his customers can sit back and have a fantastic night.

“There is nothing worse than going out to dinner and finding a problem with your food or getting bad service,” he says.

McNevins Restaurant 999 is open Mon – Sat from 6pm and also caters for weddings, conferences and functions.  For bookings or more information call (02) 6760 9200.

MATERCHEFS OF MCNEVINS – PART 3 – MARYBOROUGH

Franklin Lapthorne is the head chef at McNevins Sails Restaurant in Maryborough and has 15 years of experience under his belt. His reason for becoming a chef is pretty simple, ‘I just have a love of good food’ he says matter-of-factly. This shows in abundance with the amazing dishes that come out of the kitchen.

Never resting on his laurels, Franklin is always looking to be inspired and is constantly creating and perfecting new dishes. Neither sweet nor savoury sways him either way though, in fact the dish that changed his life and steered him towards his culinary ambitions was a crème brulee, but if you were to ask Franklin what dish he could live on for the rest of his life, it’s a seafood marinara – hands down!

Despite being an accomplished chef, Franklin finds little time to cook at home or watch any of the cooking shows that have invaded our airways. Still, inspired by Jamie Oliver, Franklin employs Jamie’s philosophy on ‘cooking with good fresh ingredients’ and takes the time to source his ingredients for the kitchen carefully.

Franklin also prides himself on making sure his kitchen team is running smoothly, “I love to lead my team and make sure they are happy. A happy team means our guests are having an outstanding dining experience,” he says.

An empty plate and feedback from his team definitely puts a smile on Franklin’s face but nothing pleases him more than to hear it first hand. “I like to engage with our guests as often as possible to ensure that they are happy and also so I am getting feedback on the food, flavours and textures so I can apply that to my next creations.”

With dedication like that it is no wonder that Sails is so popular!

Come and dine with Franklin and the team at McNevins Sails Restaurant in Maryborough and experience his current signature dish on the menu the Chicken Roulade. Open Mon – Sat from 6pm call (07) 4122 2888 for a booking.

TRIPADVISOR “RECOMMENDS” MCNEVINS MOTELS IN MARYBOROUGH AND TAMWORTH!

McNevins Motels in Maryborough and Tamworth have been awarded with an official “Recommended on TripAdvisor” sticker after consistently receiving reviews from satisfied customers rating their stay at the Motels of 4.0 or higher out of a possible 5.0.

Receiving one of these stickers is an honour but to receive two is something that McNevins Motels knows is to be cherished.

With properties in Maryborough, Tamworth, Warwick and Loganholme, McNevins is dedicated to high quality Motels with high quality service.

“Customers are savvy and they trust the opinions of other travellers beyond what we might tell them and that’s great! We actively encourage our customers to put reviews on sites such as TripAdvisor,” said Peter McNevin, McNevins Managing Director.

“We know we offer a quality experience at all our Motels and it is great that our customers want to share that with others.”

Here are some the comments from TripAdvisor that awarded McNevins Motel in Maryborough its sticker:

“Simply loved this motel, price is very reasonable and rooms were very clean and comfortable. What attracted me most was the free high speed internet and undercover parking in front of your room ….which is very hard to find. Loved both the onsite restaurants. Great location close to all attractions.”

– fbadr3 from Sydney

“Service was of high standard, staff attended to all our needs. The room was clean and the spa was the highlight after travelling. Location was excellent and we were provided with everything we needed. The wedding reception was absolutely beautiful and the staff were professional and very friendly. Food was of high standard. Loved the breakfast in the Glasshouse Restaurant.”

– helenrichards44 from Adelaide

Here are some of the comments from TripAdvisor that awarded McNevins Motel in Tamworth its sticker:

“…with all honesty I have to say that McNevins Country Valley Motel blew me away with the customer service… and I work in tourism so I know when I have a genuine welcome or a fake one. Check in was fun and friendly, dinner was absolutely delicious, my room was clean and comfortable and had windows that opened to let in the fresh air, and the price was oh so cheap! The whole experience from check in to check out was the best I have ever had and I will definitely stay there again.”

– Wendyov from Airlie Beach

We’ve stayed here many times over the last 3 years because we feel welcome with our children. The staff are consistently friendly & genuine. The rooms are comfortable, clean & quite spacious. The location is only a few minutes drive from the centre of town so it’s a quiet location for sleeping. There’s plenty of easy parking. I like that the staff remember who we are & do some little extras like having the air con on for when we arrive.

– Wicky68 from Narrabri

For more reviews go to http://.tripadvisor.com

MCNEVINS MARYBOROUGH NOMINATED FOR AN AUSTRALIAN BRIDAL INDUSTRY ACADEMY (ABIA) AWARD

McNevins Motel and Sails Restaurant in Maryborough have been nominated for an ABIA Award by one of its satisfied brides and grooms Rebekah & Doug Thornber.

The happy couple celebrated their wedding on the 24th of September, 2011 and chose to have their reception at McNevins Sails Restaurant. A few of their guests also stayed in the accommodation.

At McNevins we pride ourselves on our customer service and so it is always reward enough when we have happy clients. To be nominated for an award is just that extra ‘icing on the cake’.

Please see some of the pictures of the amazing day below courtesy of Velocity Images who were the official photographers on the day.

We look forward to serving many more brides and grooms and making their day just as special, whether they nominate us or not!