Schonegg Story
The Dream
Welcome. Country Guesthouse Schonegg is the realization of a shared dream for your hosts, Evelyn and Richard Everson. ‘Schonegg’, pronounced ‘Sher neck’ is Swiss-German and means ‘pretty corner’. Since commencing hospitality studies your hosts each knew their goal was to own their own business.
Your Hosts
Evelyn completed her Housekeeping Apprenticeship in Germany and spent many years working in 4 & 5 star hotels in Europe. Richard, a Canberra local, completed his commercial cookery apprenticeship at the Canberra International before heading overseas. Richard and Evelyn met at the May Fair Intercontinental in London and worked together for one and a half years on the QEII and later at the Metropole Interlaken, Switzerland. Richard also worked at the Intercontinental Geneva, the hotel’s restaurant ‘Les Continents’ held a Michelin Star. Whilst in Switzerland Richard completed a Hotel Management Diploma. They married in Germany in 1994 and settled in Canberra in 1995.
Schonegg’s Early Development, 2003 – 2008
Evelyn and Richard purchased 8 hectares of grazing paddocks in 2000. They built their home, the dining room and the first two guestrooms in 2002 and welcomed their first B & B guests, Lara and Tim Kirk from Clonakilla Winery, in March 2003.
Café Schonegg opened in July 2003, serving lunch and dinner on weekends and public holidays. From 2003 to 2008 Evelyn and Richard operated the cafe and provided catering for on-site functions and off-site events.
With the assistance of a grant from AusIndustry your hosts were able to add 4 additional guest rooms and a private guest lounge; these were opened in January 2007.
Focus On The Guesthouse, 2009
Guesthouse occupancy grew steadily and in early 2009 the decision was made to cease lunchtime trading and wind back catering operations to allow for a stronger focus on the guesthouse.
New Directions, An Ongoing Commitment, 2010
After 7 years in the kitchen, Richard is moving on to new challenges as a business coach. Find out more about Small Fish Business Coaching here.
We look forward to this exciting new chapter in the continuing evolution of our dream. Whilst our food offer is changing, we promise that our commitment to making your visit to Schonegg a truly uplifting experience remains as strong as ever.
Have a good look through our website. You will discover Schonegg has so much more to offer than just a comfy bed. We promise you an experience that will nourish body, heart and soul long after your visit is complete.
