Fair Go for the Bush: Dan Ahchow’s shift to Great Western in tree change

GREAT Western was another shrinking centre where locals had lost heart. But just when residents thought a planned bypass might gut the town for good, Dan Ahchow set out to put it on the map. Here’s how.

DAN Ahchow’s plan to make it in the Big Smoke led him back down the highway to a quiet country town.

Smack bang between Ararat and Stawell, Great Western was another shrinking centre where locals had lost heart. But just when residents thought a planned bypass might gut the town for good — Mr Ahchow set out to prove it could actually put their idyllic part of the world on the map.

“I could just see this place had real potential,” Mr Ahchow said.

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The 40-year-old grew up in Ararat but had been running a tech company in Melbourne for almost 15 years — commuting between Cheltenham and Collingwood each day when he decided he needed a tree change.

“I just got sick of battling the traffic every day, just to sit in front of a computer,” Mr Ahchow said.

FAIR GO FOR THE BUSH SURVEY

The town has the largest underground cellar in the southern hemisphere. Picture: Jason Edwards

When he heard that Seppelt Winery, a sprawling estate on the edge of Great Western was to be mothballed, he negotiated a lease with the owners.

Once a production centre for sparkling reds, the property just happened to boast the largest underground cellar network in the southern hemisphere.

Mr Ahchow figured plenty of people would want to see it — so he started offering tours.

“There was so much history here, it was too good to pass up,” he said.

Part of the Seppelt Cellar. Picture: Jason Edwards

A dining room with a difference. Picture: Jason Edwards

But he soon discovered Great Western was yet to nail its transition from a farm-based economy to tourism hot spot.

“Visitors were asking for somewhere to stay and eat and we were struggling to come up with consistent answers,” Mr Ahchow said.

So when the local pub was put on the market, he used the cash from the sale of his city-based start-up business to buy it.

And when the cafe across the road became available he bought that too.

Like Birregurra and Daylesford before it, this ideas man said the town of 600 could become a major stop on Victoria’s artisan tourist trail.

“Now we have accommodation options seven days a week and phenomenal food and wine,” he said.

“We just want to give people a reason to stop and check the place out.

Dan outside his new pub and with the old owner Chip Kipniak. Picture: Jason Edwards

Former pub owner Chip Kipniak said residents were heartened by the willingness of a young bloke eager to have a crack.

“He certainly has his head down and his arse up,” Mr Kipniak said. “I think he’s put a bit of a spark in the town, there’s no doubt about it.”

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