Across rural NSW, in communities big and small, the local pub or club often stands as more than just a watering hole.
These establishments are the beating heart of their "It’s the hub of the communities, a place where people gather to celebrate the highs and the leans on each during the lows.
They are the unofficial town halls, offering a space for connection, resilience and storytelling.
The Land has complied a small list of regional pubs and clubs making waves in their local communities.
Renovating a 141-year-old pub in a rural town of just 2000 people is no small feat. Yet for fifth-generation Nyngan local Emily Stanton and her husband James, it was a crazy idea worth chasing.
Driven by a vision to restore the historic Larry Galvin's Commercial Hotel, the couple poured countless hours into planning, renovating, and preserving the building's rich heritage.
For James, a local builder and Emily, the manager of a growing accommodation business that includes The Riverside Tourist Park and Pangee Street Apartments, this project was more than a renovation or a new challenge.
"We wanted to create something really exciting and put Nyngan on the map," Emily said.
"It was about making a destination that people wanted to stop at to bring something to our community."
The journey began in 2022 when the couple inquired about buying the building. While it wasn't officially for sale, an old Elders "For Sale" sign had been gathering dust in the window for years.
Today, the restored pub is far more than a place to stay. It features a boutique hotel, a vibrant pub with a beer garden, a café, a restaurant, a function area, a playground and even an all-important ice-creamery.
In the bush, pubs are more than just places to quench your thirst, they’re lifelines for rural communities. For publicans Sarah Ker and Matt Young, running Australia's Best Bush Pub, a title they've held for two years now, it's all about the people who make it come alive.
"It's the hub of the community, an outlet for people to just come and have a yarn, sort out a few problems and we're there to listen and talk," Matt said.
"There are a few people that it is almost like a check-in; if they don't turn up at their normal time, you might go and do a welfare check; it is almost like doing a roll call."
Sarah, a born and bred local, grew up on Tarella Station, White Cliffs, before moving to the Northern Territory.
She returned home in 2017 and met Matt, who was managing the pub for it’s previous owners at the time. When the pub came up for sale, the couple took the leap and bought it in July 2022.
Established in 1893, the pub has been the heart of the white cliffs community for generations in a well loved pit stop for tourists.
Matt's pretty handy, so if visitor’s breakdown, he'll give them a hand to get back on the road Sarah said. People often call us asking about the Road conditions sometimes we can help other times we joke about needing a crystal ball.
When Renée Ryan, a long-time teacher at Gulargambone Central School, decided it was time for a care change she said her sites and something unexpected running a pub.
Well, owning the business had always been a dream Renée admits she never envisioned herself as a publican. I was approaching 50 and thought it was time To try something new but living in a small town there is a lot of options, especially since we've got a farm also.
When the Armatree Hotel came onto the market Renée saw an opportunity. Trading the whiteboard for bar taps has been a significant change but since reopening an early September Renée has found the experience incredibly rewarding.
Other than AMPS Next door, the pub is the only other business in town so it's really important that there is a place people can meet up with friends and family she said. Been in a rural community with lots of surrounding farms. It can be quite an isolating profession on the land, so I think the pub provides a place for farmers or anyone really to come and connect with each other without having a formal invitation.
These days nobody pops in for a cuppa any more. You have to feel like you're invited but you don't need an invitation to the pub. You can just jump in your car pull up and there is always Someone to chat with.
When publicans Emma and Brendon Reynolds first stepped into the historic Junee Hotel they felt an undeniable connection to the 147 year-old building. Though the pub was weathered and showing its age, the Reynolds family saw its potential from signing the lease in May 2023 to buy the pub a year later restoring the Junee Hotel has been a labour of love for the husband wife duo.
Emma admits the restoration has been no small feet, especially for Brendon who does most of the But the opportunity to showcase the local community makes every challenge worthwhile.
"We live in the food bowl of New South Wales and there is a lot of history inside the walls of this building. It was the first commercial building in town" she said, for Emma the project is about more than preserving a building it's about fostering community pride.
As such, the Junee Hotel has become that space, a gathering place where neighbours catch up kids play and farmers take a break during Harvest.
"It's where the deals are made friendships are formed and the latest innovations are shared", Emma said.
With no less than 230 members in a community of 211, The Bellata Golf club plays a vital role in bringing people together. From Friday night raffles to footy games, CWA Meetings, weddings and farewells it's a gathering place for where locals share joy shed tears and find comfort in one another's company.
Grower, agronomist and Bellata Golf Club licensee Drew Penberthy, Lochearn, Said the club is a place to Go when things get tough and you get a house and you lose half your crop.
Aside from the local public school and memorial hall, the golf club is the only other meeting place in town said Farmer and Galletto golf club treasure Grant Lowein, Black Mountain. Former manager Steve Angelikas, Said the club has played an integral role in Bellata Generations and will continue to do so. We've held weddings, many New Year's Eve celebrations and farewelled loved ones here, it really is at the centre of the community he said.
Built in 1860 by William McIlveen, The Peel Inn Hotel , quickly gained a reputation as a community favourite. But not long after it's doors opened the pub became the ultimate high-stakes Gamble when McIlveen Used it as a betting chip in a card game. To his dismay he lost an ownership passed to John Schofield.
For more than 150 years, the Peel Inn has remained In the Schofields family, standing as a beloved pillar of the Nundle community. Fourth generation publican Drew Schofield remembers running down the halls in the flat above the pub as a kid.
It's a quintessential country Hotel you come in there there's an old cocky in the bar, The publican has a good yarn to you and you can get something great to eat he said.
I also love the heritage that goes with the pub. It certainly stands out in town and I think it gives us a bit of character as well.
Mr. Schofield said the majority of the towns events are held at the pub from funerals to birthdays family reunions and even the great Nundle dog race.
A majority of our staff is made up of locals as well and it takes about 20 staff to keep this place running so in a town of 300 it is fantastic.
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