General News
19 May, 2023
Sibling power revamps historic pub
Sibling owners of the iconic Marma Gully Hotel in Murtoa are assembling antique pieces from all over the state, intending to renovate the pub to the highest standard. Geoff Summers and his younger sister Thelma Wakelam bought the hotel in 2020 in...
Sibling owners of the iconic Marma Gully Hotel in Murtoa are assembling antique pieces from all over the state, intending to renovate the pub to the highest standard.
Geoff Summers and his younger sister Thelma Wakelam bought the hotel in 2020 in a private deal after it was passed in at auction.
“My sister came to Murtoa in 2019 and found this building to be the one she was looking for,” Geoff said.
“She was present at the auction but didn't make an offer at the time and fortunately it was passed in.
"Following much negotiation with the real estate agent and the hotel owner we made a private offer months later after the auction and bought it.
“We were drawn to the township and the building as we'd always intended to purchase a historic structure.”
"The pub was first built in 1913, originally owned by the Ballarat Brewery which leased the building out for many of its 100 years of existence.
"Although the hotel hasn’t operated successfully as a pub for around 20 years, there have been tenants and owners of the pub occupying the business and accommodation rooms before we purchased it and people, including ourselves, have continued to stay here up to current times.
"The owner before 2019 was ill and with a carer they were residing in the building and maintaining the structure to a very limited extent, with the building falling into extreme disrepair.
"The owner passed away and the pub was put on the market."
Geoff said they were remodelling all parts of the pub with period items.
“I live near Mt Dandenong and Thelma lives near Philip Island but we still manage to go to Murtoa every fortnight for renovations,” he said.
“We're not undertaking any structural changes and just doing the interior renovations and refurbishing the many rooms.
“We're fitting out the rooms with antiques, including tables, chairs and dressing tables, and we find a lot of very precious items on Facebook Marketplace.
"On our way to Murtoa we pick up these treasures as we travel over such a long distance."
Geoff gives thanks to a kind friend Sue who has been undertaking painting, cleaning and garden work.
"She's tirelessly helped us in the ongoing renovations," he said.
“Sue simply loves the building and the people here she's met.”
So far the siblings have been cleaning, filling cracks, changing the upstairs carpets and floor coverings, and returning the ceilings to their original heights.
All bedrooms will also be embellished with ornate ceiling roses in keeping with the Victorian/Edwardian period style.
They have fitted classic ceramic basins in the bathrooms and toilet areas, decorated the lounges and established substantial rose gardens that may be used as a wedding venue.
Geoff said they were facing a difficult period ahead with council.
"We hadn't anticipated when we had discussions with the various council representatives that we're now required to apply for an application for a planning permit.
"According to council, the hotel is now not recognised as a business so we have to start from scratch, even though it was purpose-built over 100 years ago as a hotel with accommodation.
"Now it's seen as nothing.
“It hasn’t been used as a hotel with accommodation for over two years."
Geoff said it was "a dilemma" but he was hopeful there may be room for reasonable discretion to proceed with Yarriambiack council support.
“We must go through the permit application process because we're not currently recognised as a business under the current legislation according to the council,” he said.
“That's why the opening date can't be set at this time.”
Geoff and his sister won't move into the area due to family commitments but will establish a firm community presence.
“We won't be moving permanently to Murtoa and we've never had a plan to manage the entire building," he said.
"We always wanted to make space available for the full potential of this substantial historic building and to call on expressions of interest.
“We believe, firstly, it must be a pub, and with such large rooms it can include a restaurant or café and period-style accommodation”
“We'll maintain the management of the accommodation through an agent.”
Geoff said he appreciated the Murtoa neighbourhood and the many local friends they've gained.
"Our friend over the road, Bob Trotter, who also sells our roses, is always here to assist us and was there for us right from the start.
“Bob also loves the place.
“I’m very thankful to the Murtoa community.
"People came forward to support us and looked after our building and garden in the very difficult and challenging time of Covid.
"We even have some beds and furniture donated by some generous locals who want to be part of such an important building re-incarnation."