STANWELL TOPS CONFERENCE CENTRE IS "TOPS" AGAIN

Twenty months after the Black Christmas bushfires of 2001, The Tops Conference Centre is tops again after the official re-opening of the facilities on 9 August by Lord Mayor Alex Darling.
The most amazing transformation has taken place after the devastation of the fires. The loss of six houses, the main dining hall and kitchen and a 120-bed accommodation facility were the downside to the tragedy, but the opportunity to renew has given the centre a new life.
As well as new accommodation facilities, a conference/dining/office centre has been built, a magnificent building with a wonderful outlook over the gorge which is proving to be the hub of the new look "Tops" Centre.
General Manager, David Tolman, is suitably proud of the new facilities which came from a collaboration between the Churches of Christ, who own and established the centre more than 30 years ago, the designer and builders of the new facilities.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, David Tolman gave thanks to the many people that contributed to the success of the now fully recovered centre, and also to the fire brigades that had helped avert further tragedy during the fires. He also thanked the local community for their support and understanding, particularly during the construction stage, and his staff who he said had contributed more than was required and were prepared to hang in for the long haul.
Linda Bunclark