Tiny community rallies together to save iconic Yangan Hotel Motel

Determined to see their beloved watering hole and community hub open and flourishing once more, a small but mighty town near Warwick has plans to take the future of the historic venue into their own hands.

Faced with the long-term closure of the pub at the heart of their tiny community just outside Warwick, a group of determined residents and friends are taking the future of the beloved institution into their own hands.

The Yangan Hotel Motel has been closed since December last year when the existing tenants decided to move on, leaving the town of only a few hundred people once again without a watering hole.

Not content to leave the fate of the historic pub to chance, dozens of Yangan residents have now decided to pool their resources and purchase it themselves on behalf of their tight-knit community.

Thirty-four people have already pledged to purchase at least one $5000 share within the first weeks of the proposal, equalling a massive $240,000 of the total $500,000 target.

It is proposed the total investment would be put into a company or unit trust that would then hire hotel management and staff.

Long-term Yangan resident Margaret Bateman said the initiative was inspired by the efforts of the Grong Grong community in southern New South Wales to save their beloved pub, with the tiny town raising $1 million to prevent its closure last month.

Ms Bateman said she and many others involved had strong connections to the Yangan and Swanfels area dating back to the 19th century, including when her own great-uncle was publican of the Yangan Hotel.

“It’s a focal point, a community place. It’s more than just somewhere to have a beer,” she said.

“People around here are very willing to support new management, because they want this place to work.

“The thing about having a lot of people involved is we all have our own networks to help get the word out.”

For former Yangan resident Julie Willmann and husband David, the project is a chance to return to their roots and give back to a place special to them.

“It’s bringing back life to a country town that we’ve had connections to in younger life,” Mrs Willmann said.

The eager group already have big ideas to turn the Yangan Hotel into a drawcard for visitors from right across the region and wider southeast Queensland with themed pub nights and events, but agreed the real key to success would be nailing the basics such as a country meal and great service.

With another $260,000 to be attracted before before the community can turn their dream into a reality, potential shareholder Don Drane said anyone with means should consider it a worthy investment to see the Yangan institution alive once more.

“The main thing is we’ve got to attract people – and if it’s good, people will come,” he said.