Alison Heath and John Hird in the Great Room at Southern Ocean Lodge.
Alison Heath was the first permanent employee of Baillie Lodges and helped them build their Capella Lodge at Lord Howe Island. Now she and husband John Hird, pictured left, are the new managers at Southern Ocean Lodge.
Both have significant hospitality experience since having first met at hotel school in Switzerland.
Ms Heath also has island connections, visiting regularly as a child to see her mother’s family and even attending a school camp at Karatta.
Mr Hird said Southern Ocean Lodge was “perfect”.
“We can’t even tweak it”.
Guests at the lodge were divided equally between international and Australian.
“It’s surprising… most of them are not famous. But of course all our guests are VIPs,” Mr Hird said.
