THE story went that when Redesdale’s pub closed two years ago, a group of men would continue to gather on the front porch with stubbies, paying homage to their home away from home.
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When the sun would set on the quiet township, the street would be deserted. All had returned to their homes.
But today, signs of a town reconnected are clear for all to see: The Redesdale Hotel is back in business.
Melbourne couple Garth Campbell and Beth McIlwain reopened the historic pub at the end of October – and business has been booming.
“The pub really is the heart of this town, people have just been delighted that it’s open again,” Ms McIlwain said.
“Every night we’re open it seems like people who haven’t seen each other for years run into each other again.”
From Eppalock to Langley, and Sutton Grange to Heathcote, locals have been stopping by to reacquaint themselves with the pub, to try out the new meals and have a sip of the beer on tap – fresh from the nearby Tooborac Hotel microbrewery.
The town now boasts a cafe, the general store and its own pub.
Works are needed to bring the kitchen up to scratch, but Ms McIlwain said they would try their hardest to ensure every patron was well fed and content.
“There’s still a lot to do,” she said.
“We’ve had to repaint the bar, bring in the beer lines, and we’re meeting with local suppliers. The kitchen isn’t quite up to scratch, but we’re finding a way to deal with it for now.”
For years, the couple and three children would regularly pass through Redesdale on their way to Echuca, developing a fondness for the bluestone hotel.
Their sea change not only ended with the reopening of the pub. The three children boosted enrolments at the Redesdale Mia Mia Primary School from 20 to 23.
With three of their first four Saturday nights booked out, the future looks bright for the family, and for Redesdale.
“We’re had the residents’ association hold a meeting here, a book club is interested and the CFA have looked at the pub for meetings too,” Ms McIlwain said.