Cheers to our
pubs
& clubs
IN THE GOULBURN AND MURRAY VALLEY’S
Old world charm in the modern era
ROCHESTER COMMERCIAL TAVERN... local gem. Photo: Stacey Dalziel
STARTING a long career in hospitality at the tender age of 16 at the famous Glenferrie Hotel, the Rochester Commercial Tavern owner, Olivia James, has always had a soft spot for the Rochester area and in July 2019 purchased the Tavern and made it her home. Along with her two companions, English Springer Spaniels Barney and Pepper, Olivia has created a comfortable and homely feel throughout the 1870’s-built property. The Tavern comprises of six separate areas to relax, dine and experience wines from the Yarra Valley and Adelaide Hills regions. A paved courtyard area complete with a 100-year-old Peppercorn tree, an alleyway area under hanging lights, a formal dining room complete with a rustic fireplace, front bar area, bistro area with a formal lounge in between renders the Tavern is the perfect place for your next function or get together.
The kitchen is run by head chef Mel and offers a menu that has something to please everyone with your regular Pot and Parmi Tuesday night, wood-fired pizzas Friday and Saturday night, 800g Rib Eye and 450g steaks to the locally sourced exclusive Murray Cod which Olivia hand picks herself. The kitchen is open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner as well as Friday and Saturday lunches. Boasting four rooms upstairs with their own private bathrooms, guests are able to enjoy the upstairs balcony all to themselves, which provides views of the painted silos and the street below. It’s the perfect weekend getaway spot with everything at your fingertips. The Tavern is a pet friendly space and has its own distinct abstract animal décor and tasteful furnishings that bring a modern concept into the rustic era. For bookings contact Olivia on 0481 774 986 or drop in at 49 Moore St, Rochester.
A NEW BEGINNING FOR AN OLD PUB... Matt Sleeth and Mia Parkkola have spent the closedown during the pandemic to create a new warm atmosphere for this established country pub in Moorroopna. Photo: Steve Hutcheson
A pub with new beer COUNTRY pubs epitomise regional living. They have a habit of becoming meeting points for all the locals and a calling point for visitors. The Cricketers Arms in Mooroopna has had a checkered past, and the new owners, Mia Parkkola and Matt Sleeth, have spent the duration of the COVID lockdown rebranding its look and feel. They want it to be seen as a family friendly location, without the drawcard of pokies at its core. Mat t has scoured the countr yside locating old rural collectables that adorn the new look. His handcrafted benches made from old sheep station timbers gives the dining room a rustic look and feel that is warm and comfortable.
Where they have made major change is in the kitchen. A new chef and a hard look at the quality and quantity of their meals is impressive. Steaks fresh from the market filling large plates surrounded by garden fresh vegetable, and as Matt says, "The outsized parmi's are not set on top of the chips and our veggies are not frozen." The Cricketers Arms is reverting to what regional towns want, a warm and inviting place where they can have a night out with friends and enjoy a drink and a good meal at reasonable prices. The Cricketers Arms is located at 134 McLennan Street, Mooroopna, and can be reached on 5825 3993.
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Cheers to our
pubs
& clubs
IN THE GOULBURN AND MURRAY VALLEY’S
CHEERS... Your local pubs and clubs can be homes away from home. Each one tells a story, too. Photo: Supplied
Funding boost for local hotels By Stephanie Holliday SM ALL and medium accommodation providers across our region are being supported by the Federal Government in lowering their power bills. Through the $10.2M Hotel Energy Uplif t Program, hotels, motels, and serviced apartment complexes with less than 100 rooms can access grants of up to $25,000 for energy-saving projects, with 400 grants are on offer. Applications close April 1, 2021 (or earlier if funding is exhausted). This will reduce energy costs for hotel operators and support the creation of local jobs, including for electricians, carpenters, engineers, and plumbers. Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor, said the program comes at an important time, as the tourism
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and accommodation sector looks to get back on its feet. “With 80 per cent of small to medium hotels located in regional Australia, these grants will provide a significant boost to our regions,” Mr Taylor said. “The upgrade projects will provide genuine and lasting energy savings, and will have a positive flow-on effect for jobs and small businesses.” Federal Member for Nicholls, Damian Drum, said the grants will help hotels across the region to reduce their energy bills. “Energy costs are one of the biggest overhe ad s for publ ic a ns a nd hotel owners and these grants will reduce these operating costs and help them reinvest in their business during this critical time,” Mr Drum said.
Cheers to our
pubs
& clubs
IN THE GOULBURN AND MURRAY VALLEY’S
BEST-DRESSED BUNNY WINS... Some of the friendly team at GV Hotel including chef Bekir Aktas, venue manager Margaret Valentine, bartender Tyler Collins-Ash and chef Suman Thapa. Photo: Stephanie Holliday
An egg-citing Easter lunch MUCH like Christmas, Easter provides an opportunity for families and friends to get together and enjoy a day of eating and drinking but even better, over a long weekend. Hosting a Good Friday or Easter Sunday luncheon can be stressful, so allowing someone else to do the cooking is a surefire way to ensure it’s relaxing for all. The GV Hotel’s bistro and bar will be open across the Easter long weekend with the fun starting on Thursday April 1, with the chance to win cash prizes in a best dressed competition! Don your favourite bunny costume
and hop on down from 3pm onwards for complementary finger food on arrival and an afternoon of fun. There’s no need to make a mad dash on Good Friday, GV Hotel offers a fresh seafood menu as well as all your favourites with the full menu available all weekend. Make sure you book in early to avoid disappointment and keep an eye on GV Hotel social pages in the coming weeks for more information on Easter and long weekend events. Located at 223 High Street, Shepparton, The GV Hotel can be contacted on 5821 9822 for all enquiries.
The Adviser. Australia No.1:1552 Wednesday, March 24, 2021 – Page 17