Marty 'Moo' Thomas, Hospitality (Meeniyan)

Marty has the magic sauce to help transform a regional town. It's an insightful and personal conversation with the wonderful Marty 'Moo', widely known as the Unofficial Mayor of Meeniyan. He's just an extraordinary community builder.

In Meeniyan and beyond, Marty ‘Moo’ Thomas is a household name. In fact, it’s hard for me to think about the Meeniyan community without thinking of Marty.

His kind, spirited nature reflects a range of meaningful community achievements, and it’s no surprise he was nominated for citizen of the year in 2021.

Over the last 16 years, Marty’s helped to shape Meeniyan with his award-winning restaurant Moo’s. It’s success has helped attract other businesses to the town, where his enthusiasm and dedication led him to being President of the Tourism & Traders Association. Not to mention Marty Gras …. his annual sparkling fundraiser that attracts people from far and wide.

He's been in hospitality his whole life – and says that it’s always been his passion to make people feel happy and special.

We spoke on the phone before this interview - and my impression was that he’s very community focused, modest, kind, and with an infectious enthusiasm. I couldn't wait to get to know him better, to hear his story, and find out what it is that makes him tick.