“Welcome to the Maroona Hotel. The pub where if you don’t like it, f—k off,” says the introduction on the old-school Victorian country pub’s Facebook page.
In spite – or possibly because of this – the pub is a much-loved gathering place for the tiny town.
Owner Margaret Wilson, who had been the custodian of the hotel for two decades, had been well known for telling patrons to “f—k off” once they had outstayed their welcome.
Wilson was forced to step aside from her role due to health reasons, reluctantly putting the pub on the market.
However, finding interest from several potential buyers, who all wanted to turn the venue into a residence, Wilson told them ‘where to go’ and said she only wanted to sell it as a hotel.
At this point locals rallied, the town’s eighty residents drumming up 83 shareholders to buy the venue.
Twelve months later, the change of ownership is finally complete.
Local Bruce McDougall, one of the new owners, said the main concern of the town’s residents was the fear of losing their pub.
With little else to do in the town, the venue has been the hub of Maroona for the last 90 years, providing a much-needed space to gather … possibly even saving some marriages.
McDougall says the locals understood that once a pub was gone, that was it – and many other Victorian towns had regretted the loss of their own local watering holes.
McDougall told PubTIC that the process had taken a long time.
“Maggie, the previous owner, was very patient and worked with us. She could have sold it to others, but didn’t,” he said.
Proud locals are now running the pub, although the bistro is currently shut, for now.
McDougall says that following renovations throughout July and August, lessees will be taking over management, with one of the new duo a catering professional.
