General News
12 June, 2023
Hotel's renovation a huge labour of love
One of Warracknabeal's oldest hotels is halfway through a painstaking renovation to restore it to its former glory. David Kerin, a carpenter, bought the hotel in October 2021 and has since been repairing various areas. Being in the building trade...
One of Warracknabeal's oldest hotels is halfway through a painstaking renovation to restore it to its former glory.
David Kerin, a carpenter, bought the hotel in October 2021 and has since been repairing various areas.
Being in the building trade has come in handy for the dedicated task.
“I’m doing all the renovations myself and one guy helps me if I need something,” Mr Kerin said.
“I’ve fixed the old brickwork, floor and all the cracks which haven’t been touched for years.
“Plumbing is the next stage, and I’m also waiting for a plan to be submitted to get planning permission from the council.
“Every time I’m around I find something new to fix, because nothing has been put in or installed at the hotel for over 100 years.
“I painted the balustrade a few months ago and put it back.
"I work every day. We’re getting there."
In 1876 Phillip Woolcock founded operations at the site by opening a wine shack and hotel at the back of what is now the present-day building.
Mr Woolcock's earliest structure was a shanty, known originally as Woolcock’s Public House.
It was renamed the Warracknabeal Hotel later that year and was run in a single-storey wooden building until 1890.
At that time it was situated deeper in the block, closer to Jamouneau Street.
The current two-storey brick hotel was built in 1891, and extensions to the north side were added in 1928.
John “Poppa” O’Dea bought the hotel in September 1890, and three generations of the O’Dea family ran it until 1978.
The hotel was then owned for four years by Gary Pike, after he purchased it in 1978.
From 1982 to 1985 the hotel was managed by Lindsay and Margaret Heal, from 1985 to 1987 by Wallay and Beryl Balden, and by David and Tasma Wordingham from 1987 to 1990.
Bob Flemming bought the hotel in 1990, and he and other owners operated it until 2018.
In 2018 the hotel was closed.
Mr Kerin doesn't have an opening date yet: "It’s a three-year plan – we still have a year and a half to go,” he said.
“It’ll be an accommodation place when we open, and we’ll look for further additions after a few months.”