Fred and Sandi Brophy, the couple behind the famous Fred Brophy’s Boxing Troupe, have sold their last pub, the Kilkivan Hotel, to newcomers as they exit the industry.
The Brophys owned the Cracow Hotel, 500 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, which was the birthplace of the renowned travelling boxing troupe.
Travelling from Cracow to the capital to visit their children they would pass by the Kilkivan, which Fred described as a “good, fair dinkum” old Queensland pub’. They bought it in 2007.
Finding the time approaching to leave hospitality and focus on travelling, including visiting their children and grandchildren, they sold the Cracow in 2021, and listed the second asset.
New owners have now been announced for the Kilkivan Hotel-Motel, being John and Karen Panetta, who officially took over the pub this week.
The Panettas are the former owners of a dirt bike and camping park in Glen Echo, around 50 kilometres north-east, but having sold it last month they have now moved to Kilkivan.
The family had long been patronising the pub whenever they came to town, and sporting a background in hospitality and familiarity with the locals they deemed becoming publicans a “good transition”.
“I’ve always dreamt of [owning] a pub. I love the hospitality side and love a chat with people,” John told the Gympie Times.
The new owners sport no plans for any changes to the old Queenslander, vowing to carry on the Brophy legacy.
