The man responsible for resurrecting the Big Banana has passed away aged 89, surrounded by loved ones in their Cornubia home.
Kevin Arthur Rubie lived a full life. He travelled the world several times over and witnessed the celebrations on Sydney Harbour Bridge as the second world war ended, but he is best known for his role in pulling the Big Banana from the brink of financial ruin.
“He’s probably lived the life of about 10 people,” daughter Mary-Anne Costar said.
“I’ll forever remember his work ethic, his generosity for helping people, and selflessness.
“He was a pillar of strength for his community.”
Mr Rubie launched his career as a fitter and turner on the Snowy Mountain scheme – one of the most complex engineering feats of the 20th century – and then became a developer on NSW’s central coast.
His debut in the world of amusement park operations came later when he saved enough money to buy 110 acres that would become his first park.
“That is where he set upon his dream of building an amusement and tourism park,” Ms Costar said.
The park had a 72-hole putt putt course, a waterpark, sugarcane railway, and race car track.
Mr Rubie was then forced into the heartbreaking decision to sell the business.
But he kept going. The ever-optimistic businessman set his sights on the Big Banana in 1993 when it went up for auction amid financial troubles.
It is widely regarded as Australia’s first landmark or “big” object.
A $24 million redevelopment didn’t work out to plan, but Mr Rubie jumped in to help.
“Dad, myself, and my husband moved up to Coffs Harbour in 1993 and started the rebuild and building the confidence of the people again,” Mrs Costar said.
“A lot of Coffs Harbour people had been burnt.”
Mr Rubie then had the vision to incorporate more leisure attractions, like a stainless-steel German taboggan ride.
In the early 2000s, Mr Rubie decided it was time to take a step back to allow more time to travel the world and spend time with family. He sold half of his ownership rights to Village Building Company.
He then moved to Queensland to live with his daughter, but remained involved with the park in an advisory capacity up until 2016.
He passed away on January 24 in the company of family.
