The oldest publican in Australia has announced plans to sell the legendary Outback hostelry that has become a hugely popular place for grey nomads to stop.
Mary Crawley, 93, has been behind the bar at the Tattersalls Hotel in the tiny New South Wales of Barringun since 1977.
Barringun, one kilometre from the Queensland border, now has only four permanent residents, but was once a booming country community with five hotels, a racetrack and a brewery.
Mary has been running the hotel, which was built in about 1884, on her own since her husband died but she has now decided to retire and move to Bourke.
The sale is being run by McKimm Real Estate Director, Adam Crawley, who is Mary’s grandson and who grew up in the hotel.
He told the Northern Daily newspaper that his grandmother’s main aim was to find a buyer who recognised the significance of the hotel and would keep it running in some capacity.
He said with Outback tourism taking off, there was real potential for someone to take it forward.
“Bourke has its own festival and there’s a stream of grey nomads going past that hasn’t been tapped into,” he said. “If you do some caravan accommodation and room accommodation and some meals, you’ll have a humming little business.”
Along with the historic pub, the accompanying 87 hectares of land includes an old post office which has been converted into a second residence, a large shed, and land that could be used for farming, recreation, camping or tourism.
“She doesn’t want it to be closed down,” said Mr Crawley. “We’d be happy for it to be taken into the 21st century, for it to be improved and expanded, but we’d hate to see it shut down or run into the ground.”
There has been a noticeable trend of late for country pubs to do all they can to attract grey nomads as a way of surviving in difficult times.
• Have you visited Tattersalls Hotel? Comment below
Yes, I stopped to take a photo in 2013 on my way to Darwin.
I saw this old lady sitting in a chair on the front verandah and when I was photographing it she asked me I she could help me, I said yes and my wife and I started to chat with her, we went into the pub and I had a beer and my wife a glass of white. 50 minutes and 2 beers later we left and continued our journey.
What an interesting Australian she is, I noticed photo’s of racehorses on the wall and pride of place was a large photo of Kingston Town with Malcolm Johnson aboard, that got my interest as I was at Rosehill the day Malcolm rode his 1st city winner as an apprentice on the classy mare
Sasha. The fact the I also had owned a racehorse got Mary really involved in conversation and we discussed horses and racing for at least 45 minutes, she is an enthrallingknowledgabke and interesting lady. She recalled that Malcolm Johnson once called in to the pub on his way to race meeting in Qld, he was so impressed (my impression not Mary’s) with Mary that he offered to come back and ride at the local once a year race meeting and he did. Thereafter, Malcolm has always called in to see Mary whenever he made an infrequent trip to country Qld.
I got the distinct impression that Mary would marry Malcolm if he asked her (lol).
My 2013 trip will always be memorable for that chance meeting with wonderful Australia, Mary Crawley.
God bless her and I hope that both she and her historic little pub live on for many years to com.
Ray Brown.
Such a beautiful lady. I used to go there in the ninetys to service the fire extinguishers for her. Always stayed for a cold stubby of VB. I always admired the huge billiard table out back. Ill be sorry to see her hang up her shingle.
Thank for the memory’s.
Regards and best wishes for retirement.
Robert King
Ex Dubbo Fire Protection.
Yes, we stopped in at Mary’s pub a few years ago and got caught up in the stories as we listened to her for the best part of 2 hours. Her love of the place is obvious. We were taken out the back to be shown the famous pool table that stands on its own stumps in the back room – way too heavy to sit on the existing floor. Mary told us how it had been bought up from Melbourne on 2 bullock drays – not too many games played on it anymore sadly. I hope Mary finds a suitable buyer for the hotel and that it continues to remain open for many years to come. Wish you all the very best Mary, enjoy your retirement and your many wonderful memories of the pub and its many patrons over the years.
Pauline Coe
In 2014 we called in to Mary’s pub on our way to Qld and had an hour or more chatting with Mary. She was most welcoming and very interesting and knowledgeable. A grand lady and we wish you a successful sale and happy retirement Mary.
George & Margaret Thrift
Been there a couple of times 2013, 2016, Always enjoyed having a yarn to Mary, Lovely lady,[Ruth Cracknel look alike}