A Victorian community has banded together to restore, reopen and revive their beloved local the Woodside Beach Hotel after it was shuttered and forgotten by all but those who missed it.
Woodside Beach is a Victorian town around 230 kilometres south-east of Melbourne that has had an unfortunate series of catastrophes beyond the COVID pandemic.
It was hit hard by the deadly Black Saturday bushfires of 2009, losing its post office and general store, and in 2016 its only pub, which had been serving the local community since 1849, was closed by its owners in the middle of a drought.
Locals lament “we lost part of ourselves” that day.
But late last year, about five years dry, news emerged a local posse of 10 people had pooled money to buy and renovate the pub. All boasting links to the town, the crew counted farmers, a fisherman, local legend former Western Bulldog Josh Dunkley, and an unnamed Financial Review Rich-Lister.
Taking possession of the old girl they found water leaks through the roof had been rotting the floor, and much of the 173-year-old pub was in a poor state of repair.
The determined partners established a GoFundMe campaign to help with restoration costs, and tapped their own savings, and at this point more than $500k has been invested bring it up to a modern standard.
Since taking ownership last year, the partners report having completed:
- A successful crowd funding campaign that raised over $52,000
- A new iron roof
- A brand-new commercial kitchen
- Re-creation of ‘The Woody’ front bar, with new CUB beer taps and lines
- Upgrade of the main dining room area to allow for 70 pax
- Creation of an Event space for bespoke events and experiences
- Revamping the current beer garden and adding a new family-friendly courtyard
- Fitting out a country-style Cognac Room, including open fire and framed pictures paying homage to the pub’s history
- Installation of a veranda outdoor area, which included a unique timber pylon from an old local bridge
- Displays of multiple memorabilia items showcasing local celebrities
- Establishing a Thirsty Camel bottleshop
The new operation has also announced a general manager in Braden Anderson, who previously managed the Criterion Hotel and Sale Greyhounds venues, and they have secured Rob Paget as head chef and taken on a local as apprentice.
The eager new entrepreneurs have also established a full merchandise range of Woodside Beach Hotel products, such as caps, beanies and stubby holders.
This community takeover continues a rare but proud pedigree, as seen when in 2007 23 locals bought and ran the Bunyip Hotel, built 1842. Similarly, another group of 23 people from Apsley bought and assumed operations at the Nandaly Hotel, in 2014.
Woodside Beach Hotel reopened its doors last week, to a rousing reception in a town of just 114 people.
Phase one now complete, it’s hoped within another six months further construction will bring forth well-appointed and self-contained accommodation villas, with views of the valley.
