Dean Oberin

Dean grew up in Gunbower on his family’s dairy farm and in 1971 he moved with his parents to Echuca where they built and opened the Nirebo motel. Through the '70s and '80s, the family’s interests in the hospitality industry flourished with several extensions and acquisitions including the American Hotel, the Motel Mid Pacific, and several retail and real estate investments.

After graduating from secondary school in Echuca, Dean graduated from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Economics, Banking and Finance.   He worked in the merchant banking industry for a number of years and then travelled through Africa, the Middle East, Europe and America - returning to Echuca to join the family’s hospitality businesses.

Dean established Oscar W’s Wharfside more than 15 years ago, recognised as one of regional Victoria’s unique dining experiences. He has now established American Hotel and recently The Nook on High. His inspiration was the desire to create something that celebrated the region and its people.  

Dean is currently Chair of Committee for Echuca Moama (C4EM) and also on the board of Echuca Moama Tourism Development Association Incorporated (EMT) is the industry based, peak tourism organisation in our community. Dean believes C4EM is a more relevant and important part of the community than ever before and we should all be confident the organisation’s ability to grow, develop and deliver will make our Echuca Moama region more liveable, prosperous and sustainable for its members and the community.