Sofitel Melbourne on Collins celebrated its 30th anniversary this week, recognizing its longest-serving employees in an event that highlighted the hotel’s strong connections with both staff and visitors. The gathering featured 30 “Heartists”—team members whose combined service totals 871 years at the property. Among them were Debbie Tay, a Senior Accounts Officer, and Terence Murphy, the Guest Relations Manager, whose combined tenure reaches 71 years.
The hotel’s General Manager, Stephan Leroy, described the milestone as a sign of the institution’s lasting relationships. Stephan Leroy, the hotel’s GM and David Fraser, VP Operations for the Pacific for Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems
“What stays with me most after all these years is the people,” Murphy said. “You welcome someone for the first time and then they come back for an anniversary, a birthday or another special occasion, and before you know it you’ve known them for 20 or even 30 years.
You see their children grow up and return with families of their own. That is what makes working here so special.” Leroy added that the hotel’s significance extends beyond its design or service—it lies in the lives it has influenced over three decades.
The hotel has hosted several famous faces throughout its 30 years, including Jane Fonda, Lady Gaga, Kylie Minogue, Luciano Pavarotti, Baz Luhrmann, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Dame Joan Collins, Queen Mary, and Anna Wintour. A visit by Narendra Modi also took place at the hotel.
The event also emphasized the hotel’s status as a Melbourne landmark. Leroy stated that the anniversary was not just about the property but about the individuals who shaped its history. “Some of our Heartists have spent decades here and some of our guests have been returning for almost as long. That sense of history and connection is something very special, and this anniversary gives us the opportunity to celebrate the people who created it.”
For now, the focus remains on the people who have made this anniversary meaningful.
