Chinchilla school teachers to convert Chinchilla News building into microbrewery

A group of Chinchilla school teachers have set out on an endeavour to repurpose an iconic building into a microbrewery. See their inspiring story and plans here.

Three years after the Chinchilla News printed its final newspaper, a brewing club which outgrew its convent digs has moved in to save the building’s legacy.

Instead of letting the historic icon fall into disarray, the 12 Mayne Street property has been purchased by a group of school teachers who plan to repurpose the building as a microbrewery.

The original Chinchilla News building -The Chinchilla news-job printing-Thomas Birkett, proprietor.Left to right: W.O. Brie, Sydney Blanchard, D. Hoare, O Mackay (later Mrs Frank Mann) 1915.

The group has a wealth of knowledge and experience across academic and practical faculties, which they plan to use in their unique endeavour to turn the former Chinchilla News building into a Microbrewery.

Brian Hobson, aka the ‘Grainfather,’ is a chemistry, maths and science teacher at Chinchilla High School, and the initiator of the endeavour.

Mr Hobson started home brewing beer out of his interest in chemistry, and the hobby soon spiralled into the Convent Brewing Club which took place in the unused convent attached to a local Catholic school.

Mr Hobson described the endeavour as “serendipitous”.

“It’s been a happy coming together of a number of things,” Mr Hobson said.

Mr Hobson said he had a vision for the legacy of the Chinchilla News building to be preserved and celebrated through the branding and design of the microbrewery.

And, with the help of some friends entering retirement and seeking to repurpose their wealth of skills, the vision is on its way to becoming a reality.

Steve Johnson, a retired manual arts teacher who runs a successful cafe in Chinchilla may not be a keen brewer but his experience in hospitality and aptitude for construction made him an attractive team member to have on side.

Mr Johnson said that he thought this would be a good use of his time in retirement.

“I’ve just retired but I’m busier than ever,” Mr Johnson said.

Brad Hubbard is also a retired Chinchilla high school teacher, who is equally interested in brewing beer and doing something good for the community.

Mr Hubbard said he hoped the microbrewery would prove to have a positive impact on the town after teaching there for 21 years.

“We’re old enough that if we do something, we want to do it for good,” Mr Hubbard said.

Glen Ivers and Emma Hubbard are also part of the venture. Mr Ivers is also a Chinchilla teacher, and local musician. Ms Hubbard is Mr Hubbard’s daughter, and a Goondiwindi-based teacher.

Relying on their combined skill sets, money they’ve all put in, and a whole lot of gusto, the project doesn’t have a timeline yet.

However, their priority is to get their Brew Club back on in the new digs as soon as possible.

Originally published as Chinchilla school teachers to convert Chinchilla News building into microbrewery