After 82 years operation by a loyal family, a landmark Queensland pub has closed until the right “publican who can love her” comes along.
More than once the Bremer River has burst its banks and flooded the town of Ipswich, and engulfed the street and basement levels of the historic Ulster Hotel.
Almost precisely five years ago this occurred again, and Bev and Denis Johnston faced the enormous task of restoration. They had taken over operation of the hotel from Bev’s mother Norma Flannery, who had run it with her husband for nearly 60 years.
With the basement and lower level in ruins, the Johnstons were able to get some flood relief money. Denis is a prominent local architect, and they spent 18 months rebuilding and modernising the 1910 country pub.
Bev’s mother, Norma, residing at Nowlanvil Aged Care Facility, was promised the Hotel would reopen and stay open so long as she was alive. Norma passed away 13 January last year aged 87, 
and over 600 people packed Ipswich’s St Mary’s Church to honour her.
And on Christmas Eve 2015, Bev and Peter’s daughter Chloe pulled the last beer at the Ulster, as the pressures of maintaining the family legacy finally took their toll.
Somewhat forced into the situation after the flood, the Johnstons have tried to do the pub business justice while maintaining their regular lives and employment. The couple’s children Chloe and Declan each helping as much as possible, while also attending tertiary studies.
Peter told the Queensland Times they were really “accidental publicans” in a caretaker role.
“This is a great old pub and she needs a full-time publican who can love her and devote the time needed into making this a successful, long-running enterprise.
“It was sad to close, but we knew we weren’t the right people to do that.”
The Johnstons can be contacted via the Hotel’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/TheUlster