O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat has been a family owned and operated business since first opening in 1926. After devoting over 40 years to the business, the second generation family members retired in the late 1990's, and so charged the third generation with the responsibility of carrying on the business into the new millennium.
Big Peter and Karma's eldest son, Shane, currently works at the Guesthouse while Peter Jnr maintains a place on the Board. Vince and Lona's daughter, Catherine, manages the Vineyard, and Jane works closely with the Family Business Australia, while Bernadette and Tom can also be seen working casually from time to time on the mountain. Michael, (or Big Mick to us), is a cousin to Peter and Vince, and also assists in the Activities Department part-time at the Guesthouse, while his niece Sue assists 'behind the scenes' in the Finance Department.
Rhelma Kenny, Bernard O'Reilly's only daughter, still visits the mountain every couple of weeks and presents the slides of the Stinson rescue.
The toast is cooked at breakfast each day by a member of the family or senior management, and is a tradition that has evolved over many years. It gives us the chance to say hello and ask you what you've got planned for the day... (it's also a nice warm spot on crisp winter mornings).
