Whitesbeach History Trace

The iconic Whitesbeach Guesthouse (as its now known) in Torquay (Vic) was first built in approx. 1990 for Dato Hussain Yusuf (affectionately dubbed the “The Sheik” by Torquay locals) and his Malaysian actress wife Datuk Maria Menado and their three children (Hazizul, Haliza & Hazreek who attended Geelong Grammar). Over the next ten years, Whitesbeach served as the Australian compound for the Sheik and his family. The Sheik enjoyed entertaining and local government officials and Torquay businesspeople alike, were regular social visitors at the compound.
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Malaysian Royalty were also guests of the Shieik & Maria on occasions. The Great Hall housing a 12×6 ‘Thurston’ Billiard/Snooker table, plus in-built bar, witnessed many a lively night from all reports.

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Over this period, the Sheik saw a business opportunity and purchased land surrounding Whitesbeach as a property development enterprise, which included the Sands golf course resort. Sadly, the Sheik died in 2000 before all his development vision came to fruition. After his premature death, parts of the Whitesbeach complex were subdivided and sold off. The main property itself sat idle for some years before being purchased and converted into a Boutique Hotel by Torquay locals Julian & Heidi Sweeney. After its conversion, Whitesbeach hosted guests from all over the world with a 4.5-star accommodation experience. This boutique hotel attracted many high-profile guests including Kelly Slater who stayed during the Bells Surfing Classic.

Whitesbeach again changed hands in October 2012, when purchased by (current owners) the Handley Family. Originally from the Latrobe Valley in Gippsland, Brian & Maria Handley and their four children had been frequent visitors to the region for holidays. Their eldest son Stephen and wife Claudia had often talked about managing an accommodation business, so Brian & Maria made the decision to purchase Whitesbeach for Stephen & Claudia to manage.
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Concurrently with managing the business, a complete makeover of the external grounds was undertaken, which included the challenging task of transporting and planting five mature (60+ year old) Canary Island Palms as the basis of a complete landscape makeover.

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Many structural enhancements were concurrently undertaken inside, which included adding private decks to ground floor suites, incorporating outdoor showers to create a Bali style tropical setting within the screened garden area. This amenity proved very popular with guests.

After five years of an all-consuming experience of taking Whitesbeach to a whole new level, Stephen was ready to focus more fully on his fledging software business that he was developing for the financial services industry. At this point Brian & Maria had to make a call between selling Whitesbeach or embarking on a new venture in their nominal retirement years. They elected to take the plunge and moved into Whitesbeach in July 2017 and slowly phased into the role of hosting guests, albeit a scaled down lifestyle/business mix model.
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Whilst the volume of guests reduced by design, Brian & Maria have been fully engaged improving amenities for the enjoyment of both family and guests. These include a mini-golf course, croquet circuit, a virtual jungle safari, plus a Noah’s Ark populated with lifelike fibreglass animals, complete with sound.
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The tennis court has also had a complete makeover on which lawn bowls can now be played. The indoor pool/spa Atrium has been completely tiled in natural marble stone. There has also been a myriad of other enhancements, including an impressive bronze fountain which includes 16 separate water jet outlets within the structure. Property also boasts a dual power-supply system that can be readily switched-over to generator power in the event of mains power loss. Basically, everything that can be done, has been done to highest level said Brian. The only additional enhancement that could be contemplated is a lift covering the three stories of main house. We even have plans and costings for this but have decided to leave this project to the next owner should they wish. Sadly, it’s time for Maria & I to move on, as age does “weary” you and has become a factor, we can no longer ignore said Brian. We had hoped to keep Whitesbeach within the family for the enjoyment of the next generation, but the cards have not fallen that way, so Whitesbeach is looking for a new owner.

The Sheik did a wonderful job in first conceiving and building this compound. I would like to think the Handley’s have taken it to a whole new level of appeal and comfort over the past ten years. It’s now time for some other family and/or business to enjoy this unique high-profile property. The reality in life is that nothing lasts forever, and while we have thoroughly enjoyed everything this compound has to offer, it’s time for us to move on, while we still have choice.
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Whoever, the new owners might be, they will be buying their very own slice of paradise with this self-contained family resort, (which also includes a separate two story fully self-contained Coach House) or indeed, as an attractive business option. It truly is a unique, iconic property on so many levels, concluded Mr Handley.

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Expressions of interest should be emailed to Brian Handley >