Country Comfort Coonabarabran

Please scroll down.
(For some overly dramatic news)

Coonabarabran Carers
Christmas Party (2006)

The Coonabarabran Carers have supported
(Country Comfort Coonabarabran)
The Amber Court Motor Inn since 2001.

What do Carers do?

Each care situation is unique. Some carers
need to assist with tasks of daily living,
and spend their days feeding, bathing,
dressing, toileting, transferring or administering
medications. Others care for people who are fairly
independent but need supervision or help with their
finances and transport. Carers also provide
emotional support day in and day out for
some of the most vulnerable, isolated members of our community.

Thank You!

Hello,

Admittedly the background music by Henry Purcell, is a tad dramatic, however it’s a milestone in the history of Country Comfort Coonabarabran formerly The Amber Court Motor Inn.

After six years at the establishment our Assistant Manager ~ Steven White is leaving, and we wish him the very best.

Arriving in Coonabarabran in early 2001, when the owner Ray Neal had just purchased the property. The building in tatters and grass as high as your knees, the property was just clinching to 2 ½ stars. In these six years the property has blossomed. With fully refurbished suites boasting a AAA rating of 4 Stars, and capping it off by being affiliated with the prestigious Constellation Hotel Group. Steven has certainly seen some changes in his time here.

Below is his personal account:

“Well I am in a tiny town called Coonabarabran, I wouldn’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of it. The reason I am in the central west is an Apprenticeship. After school I was still volunteering my time on Triple U FM (community radio) and I met this gentleman who had just started [at the station], he also had just purchased a motel out west.

I was currently working at the Uniting Church, Shoalhaven Retirement Village, and they kept promising me a traineeship as a Chef, they never came through. Anyway, this guy said to me that he had just purchased a Motel that’s 800km away, where there is no nightlife, no McDonalds, would I be interested? I said ‘yes’. The months dragged on and he would contact me every few weeks and enquire was I still coming. I’d reply ‘yes I’m still coming’. Nothing had sunk in, and quite frankly I had no intention of going. I even flew up to have a look at the town. So anyway, I resigned from my job (and that was the day they came through with a traineeship!), Mum and Dad threw me a surprise farewell party, and still nothing had sunk in. It was the next morning when I kissed my dog goodbye at 5:30 am in the morning that I said to myself “Oh bugger, what have I done? I’m 19 and leaving home”. The rest they say is history.

I completed my Apprenticeship at Tamworth, travelled each fortnight from Coonabarabran which is a two hour drive. 4 years later finally got my commercial cookery certificate. So, although I am now a qualified Chef….. I’m kind of over it. I’m managing a Country Comfort property, and learning a lot along the way, although not formally qualified in the area. I am enjoying this a lot more then cooking.

I appreciate all the time and effort from the Owner, Ray Neal who has taught me so much in the last six years, and wish him only the best in his future endeavours. Be it at Country Comfort Coonabarabran, or other properties.

When I officially finish here on February 17^th 2007, I will be able to leave knowing that I am far better prepared to approach the exciting world of Motel Management and Hospitality because of my time here.

Ray has been an inspiration, true friend and the best damn mentor that anyone could ask for. “Cheers, thanks a lot!”

It’s at this point, I would like to extend a warm thank you to the hierarchy of Constellation Hotels who I have had the pleasure of dealing with for the last 17 months. I have learnt a great deal, and naturally expect that process to continue. Bruce, Julie, Todd, Maryanne, Sharron, Daniel and everyone else that I haven’t typed in – thank you.

To all our valued Customers, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for sharing your tales of your days trip, your amusing anecdotes, your hopes, aspirations, personal difficulties,  your joys and lastly your famous question “How do I get the air conditioner to work?” It’s been an honour to have been able to serve you; be it at the front desk or from the kitchen. Thank you.

So, in my final words of this rather long Barbara Cartland novel, I bid you farewell and do hope that you’ll pop you’re head in and say ‘Hello’ at Country Comfort Narrabri if you're ever travelling through the town, I’d be delighted to see you again.

Kindest Regards,

Steven White
Assistant Manager