00:00The old pub at the base of Brown Mountain has been many things to Bamboka.
00:06For decades, it was the town's heartbeat, a place where chins wagged, legends were crafted and beers were shared.
00:12What does it mean to be a publican? I don't know. It's the first time I've done it.
00:17So when its doors closed five months ago, the silence was deafening.
00:21Bamboka beef cattle farmer Rowan and his wife, Karen Alcock, couldn't stand to see the landmark venue closing indefinitely.
00:27It's just nice to have something open that the community can come and have a relax.
00:32It doesn't have to have a beer. They can just have a coffee, just have a chat, you know, that sort of thing.
00:38So our community needed it, which is, yeah, it's great. Great.
00:43And so far we've got plenty of support so far.
00:46They saw it as a nail in the coffin for their quiet town.
00:50Together they took on the challenge of breathing life back into the building,
00:54restoring the laughter and charm that was lost.
00:56They understood that a pub was more than just the building.
01:00So they called back a familiar face.
01:02It does feel good to be back after a four-month break, I think we had,
01:06and especially with our new owners who care a lot for the community of Bamboka.
01:14Lolita Lee Abel was back in her kitchen.
01:17It's not just the owners that make the pub.
01:19It's the kitchen stuff, it's the bar stuff, it's everyone and them working together as a family.
01:24That's what makes a good place to work.
01:27Like, not just for us to work, but if we're all having fun.
01:31Everybody's having fun.
01:32Everyone's having fun.
01:32We don't have a lot here in Bamboka.
01:40We have the bakery, which is good, and we have the little cafe that only opens on a Tuesday.
01:47That's staffed by volunteers.
01:49That's really good, but there is nothing else in town.
01:52So, I think being a pub and a cafe is going to be very good for the community.
02:00She said it was good to see Bamboka residents take it on,
02:04who understood the local demographic on the south coast.
02:09Alright, I'm going to run these out, and I'll come back and get the milk.
02:14For veteran trucker David Orem, finding a good meal on the road was a victory in itself.
02:20I think it's the best thing that ever happened to the town.
02:24It was sad when it closed before.
02:27It's good to see Rowan's got it, because I reckon him and Karen are making great public.
02:32They've done a wonderful job inside, fixing it all up, and it's very neat and tidy,
02:36and it looks like it's welcoming.
02:42Most things that Rowan and Karen do, they do properly.
02:45It's hard to find good food on the road now.
02:49Anywhere.
02:50It's a bit hard.
02:51It's all pre-packaged stuff for things that people freeze.
02:57But to get fresh food and something you can, good choice of, and pick something out that's nice.
03:04Rowan Alcock said it was another option for people to get together.
03:09It's a great feeling to get the door open.
03:12It's a bit nerve-wracking leading up to it, but yeah, it's on track.
03:17This isn't just a pub.
03:18It's a home.
03:19And for the people of Benboka, the doors are finally open again.
03:22I'm Jimmy Parker from Big District News.
03:27I'm Jimmy Parker from Big District News.
03:27I'm Jimmy Parker from Big District News.
03:33I'm Jimmy Parker from Big District News.
03:34I'm Jimmy Parker from Big District News.
03:35I'm Jimmy Parker from Big District News.
03:36I'm Jimmy Parker from Big District News.
03:37I'm Jimmy Parker from Big District News.
03:37I'm Jimmy Parker from Big District News.
03:38I'm Jimmy Parker from Big District News.
03:39I'm Jimmy Parker from Big District News.
03:40I'm Jimmy Parker from Big District News.
03:41I'm Jimmy Parker from Big District News.
03:42I'm Jimmy Parker from Big District News.
03:43I'm Jimmy Parker from Big District News.
03:44I'm Jimmy Parker from Big District News.
03:45I'm Jimmy Parker from Big District News.
03:46I'm Jimmy Parker from Big District News.
03:48I'm Jimmy Parker from Big District News.
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