lockdowns , forced the couple to pivot their business direction ; as they endeavoured to continue to improve the offerings of the Estate for when they were able to reopen . Given the environmental damages of the fire and flood events , the couple used the lockdowns to passionately work to increase the biodiversity and sustainability of the property ; installing a huge solar system , EV chargers and natural pond ecosystems .
You may recognise the Estate from three years of watching the Retreat on Married at First Sight . After losing all their bookings due to Covid lockdowns , the couple made the most of the closures by accepting filming opportunities ( as these had exemptions to film ). Even though Mandy , being a clinical psychologist , was nervous about hosting reality TV , they agreed to the partnership with Endemolshine . Mandy figured it would be good for a laugh considering they were forced to be closed anyway , but given the huge following of the show , that it would ultimately help get the word out about the fabulous offerings in the beautiful , regional area for when people could travel again . As a result of the television partnership , Kalinya has become well known both in Australia , NZ , and many countries overseas , particularly in the UK . This has provided the much-needed increase in tourism that is so vital for struggling regional communities .
Corporate offerings Chris and Mandy have spent their professional lives in the corporate world and knew that the huge number of facilities and high-end group accommodation would make Kalinya the perfect location for corporate retreats . The Estate offers the perfect blend of a rural , away-from-theoffice destination , combined with the convenient location for delegates to access ( 45-minutes from Sydney Airport ; 1 hour from the Sydney CBD ).
Kalinya is about building relationships ; so instead of simply hosting meetings and getting work done , the facilities and opportunities afforded to guests at the Estate allows teams to grow in cohesiveness and strength going forward .
The couple have worked to design and set up multiple meeting and events spaces ; each vastly different in terms of architecture , feel and size . Keep it intimate for 20 or 30 in the cosy and luxurious Terrace room , Music Lounge or Gold Class Theatre , or address over 200 guests in the spectacular Carriage House ( designed to open entirely onto the gardens to assist in hosting the most stylish of garden parties , training days and launches ).
“ We wanted to design the estate and spaces to offer something entirely different . We were sick of white conference rooms with fluro lights and a bowl of mints . We knew we could offer spaces that helped people to be productive , that were conducive to relationships , that were entirely fun and motivating . We wanted people to leave feeling restored and revitalised , ready to go back to their workplace with a new sense of passion and connectedness with their teams .” S
Winter Issue 2023 | Executive PA 41