International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate and honour our appreciation of the social, political and economic achievements of women around the world. At alluxia, we’re turning the spotlight on two inspiring women at the forefront of the Australian tourism industry.
Alla Wolf-Tasker, The Lake House
Few people have done more to shape the face of regional dining in Australia than Alla Wolf-Tasker. An icon in regional dining, the executive chef and co-owner of the acclaimed Lake House, Alla has long been a champion of local seasonal cuisine before it was fashionable.
Inspired by the fond memory of her childhood spent at the family summerhouse in Daylesford, Alla and her husband Allan purchased a blackberry infested paddock in 1979 and commenced a hands on, four year construction in 1980.
Wolf-Tasker's dream, to build a gourmet restaurant, astonished the locals, who were more partial to meat and three veg. The couple worked in Melbourne during the week, driving to Daylesford on weekends with their infant daughter to work on the property. The first building, a 45 seat restaurant opened its doors in 1984.
Over time, the small luxury hotel of 35 suites and villas was added as well as Salus Day Spa, functions and events space, demonstration kitchen and cellar housing over 10,000 bottles. All the elements have been created to add value to the restaurant experience as a destination restaurant.
"I often sit on the terrace overlooking the lake and am gob-smacked by what we have achieved from such inauspicious beginnings." Wolf-Tasker says.
Lake House continues to garner awards and accolades in this, it’s 30th year of operation. Alla has also been recognised with two Living Legend Awards and the Australia Day honours for her contribution to the industry.
Hard work, passion and determination are the cornerstone of Alla Wolf-Tasker’s success and we solute this icon of the industry.
Brett Torossi – Avalon Retreats
It takes a true visionary to hoist an Omnipod atop a building in Hobart’s CBD to create the most innovative tourism development of 2013. Now that’s thinking outside the box!
Brett is a respected Tasmanian property developer and business woman. Brett’s major projects include Avalon Coastal Retreat & Rocky Hills Retreat on Tasmania’s East coast. These beautiful properties set the benchmark in luxury, thoughtfully designed and perfectly executed.
These multi-award winning properties were followed by last year’s launch of Avalon City Retreat. Inspired by the Musee de l’Orangerie in the Tuileries Gardens in Paris as a place where urbanites can seek relief from the chaos of city life. The prefabricated “omnipod” designed by local architect Craig Rosevear, was craned on top of a 1960’s building, guests access via the buildings lift, a dozen stairs leading to an outdoor terrace with deep Huon pine bath tub, “moon lounge” for stargazing and your luxury accommodation overlooking Hobart. Amusingly, you can even purchase an omnipod from the extensive minibar!
The innovative design explores ideas of adaptable inner-city living and broadens our minds to what’s possible for the future of tourism and ecological sustainability.
What are your thoughts on International Women’s Day and women in tourism? Share your thoughts on twitter #alluxia.
