By Rowan Forster
Gumbuya World has notched a marquee milestone, celebrating its first birthday since reopening after a multi-million dollar overhaul.
Amid the celebrations, the theme park’s business manager Ron Weinzierl predicted that the Tynong North attraction will grow to employ more than 500 staff.
Australian musicians Phil Ceberano and Russell Robertson performed Gumbuya World’s unique new jingle, while the park’s newest mascot – a giant koala named Gumbo, was unveiled.
To give the event some Christmas spirit, Santa Claus joined Victoria Police Sergeant Danny Hower to tackle the Taipan, one of the largest waterslides in the southern hemisphere.
Santa even gifted one lucky junior parkgoer an early Christmas present; an annual pass to Gumbuya World.
Mr Weinzierl told the Gazette he was humbled to see facility transform from a humble park into one of the country’s leading theme parks.
“To get to where we are from where we started, it’s extremely exciting,” he said.
“Hearing the screams on the waterslides, seeing the families smiling and having fun in the café’s – the fun part is inviting people to come and enjoy themselves.”
He said the theme park is quickly approaching the prestigious record of welcoming one million visitors through the gates.
“Once we get the international tourists coming through, it will get to that level,” Mr Weinzierladded.
“At the moment, we’ve got our focus on the local community and coming into next year we’ll target that one million visitors.”
When Gumbuya World, formerly Gumbuya Park, was sold in 2016, just 23 staff were employed on a daily basis – with up to 60 sometimes working weekends.
Now, the park has more than 150 as a base, with staff levels exceeding 200 on weekends.
In a bid to coax families to visit Gumbuya World this weekend, to join the celebrations, Mr Weinzierl said: “All the things we have from the water to the wildlife, the rides and the fun; it doesn’t matter how old you are, you can come down and enjoy yourself.”
It comes as Gumbuya World prepares for a prehistoric overhaul as part of a $90 million revival, which will bring the Tynong attraction on par with renowned global theme parks.
Upon completion in 2021, the world-class destination will offer 50 new allures, including its own rendition of Jurassic World, an 80-room hotel, 50 “glamping” tents, a day spa, chocolate factory, micro-brewery and a helipad for cashed-up tourists.
For Deputy Mayor Collin Ross, the park’s birthday was extremely sentimental.
“It was the very, very first thing I ever opened as mayor,” he said.
“Our family were that excited about the place that they’ve all got season tickets.
“Our youngest daughter even wanted one for her birthday.”
Cr Ross said Gumbuya World had even more appeal than commercialised Gold Coast theme park worlds.
“This is local, it has got a characteristic of a Healesville Sanctuary mixed with Wet’N’Wild,” he added.
“It really blends in with the area and it is one of the top tourism attractions in Cardinia Shire.
“Even the City of Casey are excited about having Gumbuya World here, and they have a population higher than Canberra.”
