Balldale was buzzing over the weekend as cars lined the entirety of Railway Street and droves of people from across the region filled up the entire venue to usher in a new era for the hotel, which first opened in 1905.
New owners Leigh and Glenn Booth and their partners Jo Monger and Michele Booth brought the town’s meeting place “back to life” on Saturday, marking the end of the pub’s eight-year hiatus.
“I’ve never seen so many cars in Balldale in my life,” Ms Monger said.
“The small town came alive with about 800 people coming through over the weekend.
“We knew the word got out about the opening, but we did not expect this sort of turnout. We’re truly humbled by the entire experience.”
Corowa Apex Club members Jamie Warner, Derek Brown and Greg Dickins were awarded the first beers on tap after they put forth a $2,000 bid for the privilege, with proceeds going to the Royal Children’s Hospital.
The event was attended by several prominent guests which included; Farrer MP Sussan Ley, Albury MP Justin Clancy and Federation Council Mayor Pat Bourke who commended the reopening as being a big win for the community.
Ms Monger said the vision to revive the pub first came to fruition when they were in Howlong last Christmas and went to check out the building after hearing it was still on the market.
“Despite being derelict on the inside we thought it was a really nice old pub and decided that we’d see if we could try and have a go at it ourselves.
“With the school, general store and the pub all closing within six months of one another back in 2011, we wanted to help revive the town.”
Despite boasting a renovated main bar, ladies lounge, formal dining room and large beer garden, the Balldale Hotel still feels like a bastion of its traditional glory with sporting and community photos displayed on the wall and restoration of the original bar.
“People were walking in all weekend and saying, ‘I remember all of this, this is the same pub but just bigger and better’ which was really nice,” Ms Monger said.
“It was so lovely to see all of the old families come back and actually catch up with each other. I saw so many people look across the bar and recognise one another and that’s what an old pub is really all about – bringing the community together.
“It’s just been amazing to be a part of bringing it back to life and helping to revitalise the town again.