DESTINATIONS MAGAZINE - ISSUE 2 - 2009
FRIENDS FIRST WINNERS - January 2009
Here is a story about one of the previous Friends First competition winners: Karen & Allen Geard – January 2009 - won a $5,000 travel voucher!
Our most recent Friends First Winners have never been more deserving of their $5,000 holiday voucher: Karen and Allen Geard will be taking a well-earned break after surviving the devastating bushfires that swept through Country Victoria.
The team at WorldMark South Pacific Club couldn’t be happier to provide the Geards’ with a holiday that will hopefully see them relax and enjoy themselves after a stressful couple of months.
The recently married couple, who have a beautiful 14-month old son named Logan, almost had to evacuate their property as fires from neighbouring regions closed in. “We’re ok now, and we were doing as well as we could be at the time. It was definitely hard to consider leaving,” said Allen.
Their beloved town of Woori Yallock managed to stay relatively untouched by the fires, but for an anxious time, destruction seemed to be just around the corner. Karen’s father was lucky to escape with his life – and house - after fire destroyed a large part of his property in the region of Hazelwood.
“He was running around just trying to keep the cattle safe. It’s lucky that his house and barn are elevated on a hill. The fires got very close,” Karen said.
The community spirit and support of Country Victoria was never more obvious than it was during that devastating time.
“We love this place. It’s very peaceful,” said Karen. The family will be pulling together to help Karen’s father recover. After that - hopefully a holiday!
“We’re thinking about either Queensland or the Northern Territory, and we’d like to go in the summer months. The last time I visited these places I was very young, and Allen has never been, so it will be good for us,” said Karen.
While this gracious couple have been Owners with WorldMark South Pacific Club for three years, both Karen and Allen have been busy working and starting a family and have not had the chance to take a holiday for several years.
“The last time we went on holiday was six years ago to spend Christmas with the family just north of here. It will be nice to take a proper holiday,” Karen said.
Enjoy the trip Karen and Allen, you’re truly deserving of a holiday.