Our People

Meet some of the Grand Hotel staff...

George Dour - Doorman

Perine Grebe-Daniels – Reservations Sales Manager

Jeen Louis Abraham - Sous Chef

Patsy Sungovska – Housekeeping

Azeb Tewolde – Public Area Cleaner


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George Dour – Doorman

Tell us about your role at 'The Grand"...

I’ve been at the Grand for 2 years now, greeting guests and taking their bags, introducing them to the building.

I come from a background in communications and welfare so I love that I get to use my personality and skills to connect and identify with different people every day.

I am proud of the Grand and enjoy seeing people visit and hearing their comments about the hotel, and about our service. I think people expect it to be stuffy or overly formal, so I love their surprise at the warmth and intimacy they experience. That’s what makes the Grand - and I love seeing people appreciate that when they stay.

What’s the secret to being a good Doorman?

My background is Greek and I was born in France, so I can pick languages up quickly – which is very handy!

But I think it’s not only being someone who loves to have a chat and genuinely enjoys people, but someone who is intuitive and adaptive. I meet all manner of people every day and always find some way of identifying and connecting with them all.

I truly love being of assistance, providing service and helping people. I know Melbourne intimately, and lots of people now come to me directly for the latest restaurant recommendations or suggestions on what to do.

I really enjoy conversation and finding out about people and their stories. I think being able to open people up and see them comfortable to be themselves and truly enjoy and connect with the hotel is important.

What do you like most about Melbourne?

The city is beautiful. I regularly enjoy taking a stroll around the streets and just observing people and the sights – the beautiful buildings. We have fabulous shopping here and world-class restaurants. I love to eat and drink, and visiting Melbourne’s best fresh food markets is always a treat!

I also love Melbourne’s sports scene. I am a fanatic (would you believe I was going to be an AFL footballer!) and we’re host to so many great events…

Where would you travel if you had the chance?

Back to France where I was born – I love the culture.

What wouldn’t we guess about you?

I’m a bargain hunter! I love a great deal …

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Perine Grebe-Daniels – Reservations Sales Manager

Tell us about your role at ‘the Grand’…

Like most of the staff at the Grand I wear several hats!

I’ve been here for over 4 years and it’s flown by! I look after customer service, selling the hotel and organising conferences in our beautiful She Oak boardroom.

I love speaking to different people, and enjoy being able to assist and pass on information that helps make people’s experience of the Grand and Melbourne really memorable.

How did you get into hospitality?

When I was very young I watched a TV show on the hotel world and was intrigued. Then my sister started working in the industry and came home with fabulous stories and fascinating anecdotes from the front desk.

I was attracted to the vibrancy and the coming and going of so many people… it seemed like an industry that would always be interesting.

I started out on the leisure desk - now hospitality is in my blood!

What do you like most about ‘the Grand’?

I just adore this hotel - the building itself, and the hidden elements that people discover when they stay. The hotel really sells itself with its character and charm…

But it’s the rooms that are my favourite spaces. They are really unique – certainly not what you’d find in the average hotel. They are extremely spacious, and I love the positive feedback we get and the fact that they feel like a “home away from home” for guests.

What do you like most about Melbourne?

Melbourne is a fantastic city. I love the fashion and shopping and the friendly nature of our people. I also love food, so I am a big fan of our myriad of fabulous restaurants, and beautiful historic buildings. And we’re right here in the centre of the action to experience it all…

Where would you travel if you had the chance?

Spain…! It looks so vivacious and exciting…

What wouldn’t we guess about you?

I’m a practical joker! I love a cheeky laugh…

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Jeen Louis Abraham - Sous Chef

Tell us about your role at ‘the Grand’…

I’ve been Sous Chef at the Grand for 2 years and manage all aspects of the kitchen and food. Before this, I worked under chef Albert Roux for 2 years in London and in the US in various 5 star hotels.

How did you get into chefing?

I was actually going to be a doctor when I was young but chose to change over to hotel management in India, and in my last year of training I decided to specialise in chefing.

I discovered I love to cook – and it’s my belief it should be done with love…!

What do you like most about ‘the Grand’?

Apart from the beautiful building, I love the fact that the staff and managers here are like family. I work with a terrific group of people, who really know what team work is about. The managers are understanding and fantastic communicators. It makes coming to work a pleasure…

What do you like best about Melbourne?

I particularly like the fact that the people here are friendly – it’s much more personal than a city like London!

My favourite place to visit here is the Melbourne Zoo. It’s a great experience and the gardens are beautiful. I have a yearly pass and love to take the kids.

Where would you travel if you had the chance?

Back to the beauty of Germany.

What wouldn’t we guess about you?

I have travelled to 66 countries!

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Patsy Sungovska – Housekeeping

Tell us about your role at ‘the Grand’…

The Grand is like home to me… I’ve been here for 10 years in total, with the last 3 in Housekeeping. I started as a room attendant, and then took on extra responsibility and worked into Housekeeping management.

I’m a naturally pedantic person by nature and I’m like this in my environment at home too. I like everything to have its place, and notice everything about a room and all its details – so the role is a perfect fit for me!

I enjoy the challenges of the day to day because you never know what to expect. Each day is different and varied – it’s certainly never boring!

What do you like most about ‘the Grand’?

I love the fantastic team we have here. We’re all close and have fun at work.
And of course I love the building, especially the corridors, which feel like those of a grand palace – so wide and tall.

I love to watch the first-time guests exit the elevators and see their eyes widen as they see how magnificent they are.

What do you like most about Melbourne?

Melbourne has great people – friendly and down to earth. And the city that offers just so much to do and see.

Where would you travel if you had the chance?

To Macedonia where I was born.

What wouldn’t we guess about you?

I used to be a keen sportswoman and a competitive swimmer.

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Azeb Tewolde – Public Area Cleaner

Tell us about your role at ‘the Grand’…

I have been at the Grand for 4 years and have worked in housekeeping, as a kitchen hand, and now am responsible for cleaning all the public areas of the hotel.

I’m originally from Ethiopia, but have lived in Brisbane most of my life, and was referred to the Grand by a friend when I came to Melbourne.

I am just lso lucky that I was invited to be part of the team here. I’ve spent so long at the hotel because I love the environment. These are special people and we’re more like friends rather than workmates. We all pitch in and support and assist each other wherever we can. It’s like a big family …

What do you like most about the Grand?

I have worked in a number of other hotels, but honestly believe the Grand is special. The environment is caring and intimate and the building is so beautiful. The rooms are comfortable and spacious and are more home-like than the average hotel.

We work really hard here, but I enjoy getting up every morning and going to work…

What do you like best about Melbourne?

Definitely the people!

Where would you travel if you had the chance?

Back to Ethiopia where I was born.

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