FERMANIS’ RETREAT TO AUCTION
Abbotsford’s storied Retreat Hotel will go under the hammer as a vacant freehold, to optimise the buyer pool for the development potential site. Built in 1915, the modest and aptly named Retreat is a local landmark, on the corner of
POOLE’S KEVINGTON HOTEL HEADS TO MARKET
One of Victoria’s most history-smacked pubs has come to market, offering riverside acres in a former goldrush town. Built in 1862 as Garrett's Beer House, the Kevington Hotel is the last surviving pub of many that sprang up following the
NARELLAN HOTEL PUTS UP NAZ MAN CHALLENGE
Public House Group’s Narellan Hotel is gorging on the success of a good ol’ fashioned eating challenge, recently daring punters to take on the 3-kilogram bucket of ‘Grim Reaper’ chilli chicken wings. The promotion is dubbed the Naz Man Challenge,
PUBLICAN GROUP SINKS INTO RECEIVERSHIP DESPITE DIXON SWOOP
Despite divesting its entire portfolio late 2017, the beleaguered Publican Group has been put into voluntary liquidation. The cashed-up Dixon Hotel Group – since rebranded to Australian Venue Co (AVC) – bought the clutch of nine Publican Group venues in
PUBLICAN JAILED OVER PREMIER HOTEL FRAUD AND ARSON
The failed owner of Albany’s historic Premier Hotel has pleaded guilty and received ten years over a scam to fake a robbery and arson in order to claim insurance. Mid-2016 news emerged that lessee Graeme Roderick Cooper – new operator
MARY CRAWLEY’S TATTERSALLS HOTEL DESTROYED BY FIRE
The life and love of 93-year-old publican Mary Crawley has been lost, with outback cornerstone the Tattersalls Hotel destroyed by fire. The 1884-built Tattersalls sits on a stretch of the Mitchell Highway 136 kilometres north of Bourke, on the NSW/Queensland
BETOOTA HOTEL IS BACK AFTER ROBBO TAKES THE KEYS
After considerable anticipation, the beloved Betoota Hotel – sole structure in the iconic outback town – is set to reopen mid-2018. Betoota is a speck on the map in outback Queensland, a bumpy six hours’ drive east of outback oasis
GAMBLING ACT CHANGES FOR VICTORIAN PUBLICANS
The VCGLR has announced changes to Victorian gaming regulations, which include an increase to the non-cash payout figure for EGM credits. The Gambling Regulation Amendment Act was passed in Victorian parliament 30 November last year. Some changes to the Act
DIXON GROUP REBRANDS AND BUYS UP
Dixon Hospitality Group has hit 2018 running, with a new group name and deals for two new northern venues into the stable. The Victorian-based hotel group fronted by former Spotless director Bruce Dixon has rebranded to Australian Venue Co (AVC),
MAN AWAITS TRIAL OVER ONE-PUNCH DEATH AT THE ENTRANCE
The Entrance business owner George Habkouk is awaiting trial over the death on New Year’s Day of Haydn Butcher outside a central coast hotel. Wyong Local Court has heard preliminary details of the incident in the early hours of New