General News
22 June, 2025
Locals save Maroona pub
IN an environment where many country hotels have closed, the Maroona community has something to feel proud of.
A community campaign to buy and save the town’s iconic pub paid off this week, with 88 members of the local community now holding a share in the pub.
The purchase of the pub is particularly significant for the region which has seen the closure of other watering holes at Willaura, Wickliffe, Buangor and Elmhurst.
Maroona Community Hotel committee member Bruce McDougall said it was a great outcome for the Maroona community.
“It has been a lot of work for everyone and it has taken a long time and a special thank you to Marg for her patience,” he said.
“There are 88 investors which is a fair chunk of the population in the immediate area,” he said.
Mr McDougall said there were some changes planned over coming months, including some cosmetic improvements.
“The committee will run the pub for a month three or four days a week, no meals, and then a builder will come in about the middle of July and the pub will be closed for hopefully no more than two months.
“There will be a new bar and a new kitchen in the same areas, carpet and wallpaper. Mr McDougall said the hotel will be leased out to new publicans when it opens later in the year.
He said there was a determination in the community to keep the pub open as a social outlet for local residents.
“When we did our research we found many communities regretted having their pub close. Once you let it go it’s gone,” he said.
“There’s a pub and a school in Maroona, not much else. It’ll probably save a few marriages keeping the pub going,” he said.
Mr McDougall paid tribute to the determination of local residents to save the hotel.
“There were an enormous amount of locals who want to keep it going.
Publican Margaret Wilson said she was adamant the hotel had to remain for the local community.
“I put it on the market in March last year and I had two or three very keen buyers but they wanted to buy it as a residence and I said sorry, I’m not selling it as a residence, it has to remain a hotel.
“Then Bruce (McDougall) came along and said the community wanted to buy the pub and it may take 12 months. I said, that’s fine as long as I have a date,” she said.
“It is important for it to survive. 88 shareholders will all support the pub and I hope the pub will thrive because of that,” she said.
Margaret said she is booked in for some surgery and will then explore the Australian outback.
“The most I’ve ever had is two days holiday in twenty years so I’m going to take a break, no destination, no plans and when I come back I’ll move into my house in Ararat,” she said.
Saturday night was Margaret’s last night at the hotel, where the drinks and food were on the house.
More than 100 loyal customers came along to farewell her and thank her for 20 years of service.
“I’ve enjoyed the whole time I’ve been here but the time has come,” she said.
Read More: Maroona