Debby Donkers...the energy behind the project
Have you ever been so tired from sheer exhaustion that the idea of taking time out from your daily life sweeps you with waves of excitement. All you want is a few moments, what you probably need is a few weeks! But…life soldiers on! Well that thinking is exactly how the spa at Beechworth began. I remember sitting at the Doctors waiting for an appointment, swamped with fatigue and feeling totally over whelmed and frustrated. I picked up a magazine after wiggling in my seat and read an article about an ‘urbane day spa’ (quite a new concept to me). The opening line: It felt like my world stopped…. I closed my eyes and imagined what it would feel like to have complete peace, to be well rested, like I had been away for 2 weeks, you know that feeling. It’s like you can align the world again. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, how many people must feel like me, in desperate need of a holiday but are too time poor to make it happen. So I began to explore the concept of creating a place where people could escape and in effect “make their world stop”, to rebalance, revitalize and reawaken the soul, a place that draws you back to nature. And The Spa at Beechworth was born, now I only had a few more obstacles, a location, selling the concept to my loved ones and money.
I worked hard for the next few years and purchased my first business in Albury, a run down beauty salon that I thought I could make into an ‘urbane day spa’. Despite holding onto my vision, it didn’t take long for me to realise it was not the right business for a day spa, in fact it was only run down, it didn’t need a new concept. So the search continued and after working to establish Albury I was finally in a financial position to create the dream.
I felt a real connection to Beechworth and it was where I really wanted to be. So I began to explore my options, when an opportunity to open at our current site presented itself. It was too good to miss! It was perfect, with the magnificent grounds and historic buildings as an enormous draw card. The hard work soon began. A number of tradesmen took one look at the building condition and my time frame and said ‘Lady, are you for real? You want what and by when?’ it took some convincing to get their support behind the project but eventually the roller coaster ride of energy, emotions, decisions, staffing and sleepless nights was all consuming. My heart and soul went into it and I was determined to open even if everyone else thought I was crazy. After a lot of fast talking and many local tradies later, the spa started to come together, an opening date was set.
We opened our doors on the 22nd of October 2006 in a flurry of total exhaustion. Just 8 weeks and 4 days after the lease was signed. The Spa at Beechworth was a reality, and despite the chaos, noise, set backs and challenges it is now a place of complete tranquility and a place for everyone to …dream freely.
My aim is to tread lightly on the earth. To give back what we take. To do this our carbon emissions at the spa have been measured and reduction plans put in place. Our goal is to restore the faith in the everlasting healing power of touch to our clients. To do this we eliminate the use of modern machine treatments and use organic and natural products to restore health and well being and in so doing provide a space for nurturing and self.
My dream is a fruition and ever evolving. My wish is that you are able to grow with us and we can all ……… dream freely.