COMMUNITY RALLIES TO REVIVE WOODSIDE BEACH PUB

A community and crowd-funded campaign including an AFL footballer is rebuilding the closed Woodside Hotel, destined to return as the destination Woodside Beach Hotel.

Woodside Beach is a Victorian town around three hours from Melbourne that has experienced tremendous loss in the past dozen years.

Beyond the effects of COVID, it was hit by the deadly Black Saturday bushfires of 2009, burning down its post office and general store.

And in 2016, its only pub, which had been serving the local community for 170 years, closed.

The vacant hotel was sold four times during the pandemic, but the deal reportedly fell through each time.

Locals decided to fight back, to reopen the treasured watering hole.

Late November sale was contracted to a group of 10 buyers, understood to include high-profile footballer Josh Dunkley, an unnamed BRW rich lister, local fishermen and farmers and local hospitality professionals – all with links to the town.

Dunkley said via social media he was “excited to be joining” the group.

Another of the syndicate is Clint Hillas, who moved to town in 2020 after losing his employment.

He eyed the shuttered building, being passed by so many cars and caravans headed to the nearby beach, and saw opportunity. He has gone on to attract neighbours, who will provide knowledge of local produce to incorporate into the pub’s menu.

“Of course, being in Gippsland, we have access to the best produce known to man, so food will be sourced from local farmers, fisherman, wineries and other producers.” 

The group has established a GoFundMe campaign to help with the restoration costs, hoping to raise $75k by 15 January, 2022. So far 39 donations have racked up $20,695.

And it’s said every dollar contributed will be redeemable over the bar at the new pub.

Phase one has begun, the old building already gutted. Infrastructure must be updated, including a new roof, above the new bar for up to 500 people, a commercial kitchen, a 120-seat dining area, new bathrooms and a kids’ play area.

Phase two, slated to open about six months later, will bring well-appointed and self-contained accommodation villas, with views of the valley.

There will also be a function space and stage, available for private or corporate events.

The completed project is expected to cost over a million dollars, with hopes phase one will see the hotel back to life in March or April.

Local buzz has attracted onlookers, standing around watching works and regularly coming inside to ask what’s happening, to the extent that Hillas, spokesperson for the syndicate, says “we may have to put up a few barriers”.

Darren Chester, Federal Member for Gippsland, voiced that the stricken community has “endured more than its fair share” and believes it would greatly benefit from the reopening of the pub.

“A pub is the lifeblood of any country town and Woodside and its neighbouring towns need it’s local pub back.

“This is what being Australian is all about!” say the organisers.  

Bringing the Woodside Pub back to life!