The People of Hopewood - Meet Marilyn

Meet Marilyn

Marilyn helps out Chef John in the kitchen. As a long-time employee of Hopewood, she loves seeing guests return and enjoys chatting with them in the dining room. 

How long have you been working at Hopewood?

6 years

Tell us a little bit about your role/job at Hopewood?

I help to prepare food and set up meals for our guests.  I also make juices and help to serve the guests in the dining room.

What do you enjoy most about working at Hopewood?

I love the family atmosphere.

What is your best piece of advice for healthy living?

Stay active, exercise often, take care of yourself, and eat healthy.

The People of Hopewood - Meet Sarah

Meet Sarah

Sarah is one of the friendly and helpful receptionists at Hopewood’s reservations desk.  She takes reservations, makes therapy bookings, and helps out with the day-to-day office duties. If you’re calling Hopewood or emailing us, Sarah may be the one on the other end answering your question.

How long have you been working at Hopewood?

11 months

Tell us a little bit about your role at Hopewood.

As a receptionist, it is my job to help ensure that guests have a relaxing and enjoyable visit. The reception team is the first port of call and so that first impression is the most important.

What do you enjoy most about working at Hopewood?

When I come to work it doesn’t feel like work, the staff and guests are so friendly and I enjoy meeting new people and listening to their stories! This would be the first time I have been part of a workplace which actually work as a team regardless of which department they are from, everyone is always willing to help. Work is no longer a thing I have to do it is something I enjoy doing!

Do you have any tips for how you take care of your own personal health and wellbeing?

Drink plenty of water and eat a balanced healthy diet.

What is your best piece of advice for healthy living?

Come to Hopewood! J  

The People of Hopewood - Meet Leman

Meet Leman

Ever tried the wonderful juices at Hopewood?  If so, there’s a good chance that Leman made yours. Leman is the assistant to Chef John and she helps with the preparation of meals at Hopewood. 

How long have you been working at Hopewood?

8 years

Tell us a little bit about your role/job at Hopewood?

I work in the kitchen and my main role involves making juices, setting the tables for meals and general preparations for dining at Hopewood.

What do you enjoy most about working at Hopewood?

It’s such a peaceful location.  I love working with friends and sharing stories.  It’s also handy to be working with some excellent health professionals!

Do you have any tips for how you take care of your own personal health and wellbeing?

• Learn basic things about your food, such as nutrition and healthiest preparation tips
• Make time for yourself
• Exercise

What is your favourite memory of Hopewood?

My fondest memory was the first Christmas party I attended.  Everyone was so happy to be surrounded by close friends with whom they work and I was so excited to be a part of that group.

What is your best piece of advice for healthy living?

Cook your own food and use only fresh produce.

The People of Hopewood - Meet John

Meet John

John Estival is the chef at Hopewood Health Retreat. You can often find him in the kitchen cooking delicious vegetarian dishes or in the dining room giving food demonstrations and offering tips about healthy eating.

How long have you been working at Hopewood?

6 months

Tell us a little bit about your role/job at Hopewood?

As head chef, I am responsible for the catering at Hopewood.  I also give cooking demonstrations for the guests and am looking forward to teaching cooking schools this autumn and winter.

What do you enjoy most about working at Hopewood?

Hopewood is the best place I ever worked in, the team is great and I can be innovative and creative in my job.  The surroundings are breathtaking.

Do you have any tips for how you take care of your own personal health and wellbeing?

• Live a Happy and Healthy life.
• Everything in moderation.
• Be kind to your fellow beings.

What is your favourite memory of Hopewood?

My favourite memory was Christmas Day lunch.  It was so good to see a full dining room of joyous people celebrating the holiday spirit and enjoying good healthy food.

What is your best piece of advice for healthy living?

Don’t worry, help where ever you can and enjoy life to the fullest.  

The People of Hopewood - Meet Val

Meet Val

Val has studied spiritual healing and yoga, qualifying as both a Hatha Yoga and an Ashtanga Yoga teacher. Val is also a qualified staff trainer, has qualified in Hypnotherapy and Time Line Therapy and is a Master Practitioner of NLP. With 20 years experience in the health industry, Val incorporates all her wide variety of knowledge into the various interesting and insightful workshops and counselling and stress management sessions which she facilitates at Hopewood.

How long have you been working at Hopewood?

20 years

Tell us a little bit about your role/job at Hopewood?

I teach yoga, meditation and relaxation.  I also do stress management, visualisation and life coaching sessions.

What do you enjoy most about working at Hopewood?

Everything!  Interacting with staff and guests is my favourite part of every day.  I love being a part of such a wonderful retreat and I love taking advantage of all the healthy food that John cooks!

Do you have any tips for how you take care of your own personal health and wellbeing?

I think it is important to aim for creating balance in my life.  All of the advice that I give guests, I use myself.  I always try to “walk my talk” by living a healthy lifestyle.

What is your favourite memory of Hopewood?

I always enjoy facilitating staff training.  It is so rewarding to teach our new employees and watch them grow.

What is your best piece of advice for healthy living?

Love greatly, laugh a lot and keep in mind that life is short and precious.

The People of Hopewood - Meet Donna

The People of Hopewood: an ongoing blog series

Meet Donna

Donna assists Chef John Estival in the kitchen.  She oversees the preparation of the yummy soups, salads, and fruit platters that you see in the dining room.  Donna works hard to make sure that meals meet guests’ individual health needs.

How long have you been working at Hopewood?
16 years

What do you enjoy most about working at Hopewood?
I love the healthy lifestyle that Hopewood encourages.  And I enjoy working in such a great team environment.  The supportive and caring staff at Hopewood are like family to me.

Do you have any tips for how you take care of your own personal health and wellbeing?
I always try to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and to exercise.  I’ve also found that laughter and being positive are invaluable to my health and wellbeing.

What is your best piece of advice for healthy living?
Pottering in your garden is great therapy!

The People of Hopewood - Meet Ann

The People of Hopewood: an ongoing blog series

Meet Ann

Ann is the Health Support Manager.  Ann works with all the staff at Hopewood—from the chef to naturopaths to the spa therapists—to make sure that the health needs of all guests and staff are met. She also administers hydrotherapy to Hopewood’s guests and, during her tenure at Hopewood, Ann has been named a NSW Employee of the Year Finalist.

How long have you been working at Hopewood?
24 years

What do you enjoy most about working at Hopewood?
It is so wonderful to see our guests return time after time and saying Hopewood feels like “paradise.”

Do you have any tips for how you take care of your own personal health and wellbeing?
I keep PawPaw in my bathroom cabinet and use it on everything.  PawPaw ointment has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and can be used on minor cuts and burns, including sunburns.  I also keep Manuka Honey in the kitchen.  Honey is great for colds, flu, sore throats, and wound healing.

What is your best piece of advice for healthy living?
Listen to your body.  And always keep your hands & feet warm!

The People of Hopewood - Meet Anet

The People of Hopewood: an ongoing blog series

Meet Anet

Anet is the Duty Manager for the Reception Staff at Hopewood.  She is responsible for the smooth day-to-day running of the reception team, reservations, and the bookshop.  Anet helps to ensure that guests have a pleasant arrival and a relaxing stay.

How long have you been working at Hopewood?
10+ years

What do you enjoy most about working at Hopewood?
I enjoy seeing the ‘butterfly transformation’ of our guests.  When they arrive they may be stressed and in need of a serious break or health kick, and it’s a joy to see them on departure when they are happy, relaxed and refreshed and ready to float away back into their world.

Do you have any tips for how you take care of your own personal health and wellbeing?

Water is your best friend, keep hydrated.

What is your favourite memory of Hopewood?
Honestly, there are too many to tell.  Working at Hopewood is not like ‘going to work.’  I could not count the number of times that guests have said to me over the years, “You are so lucky to work here.” This verifies for me that Hopewood is a wonderful place to be.  A place where memories are created every day.