Transformation?
I always like to feature classic Aussie pubs, many are totally iconic with our climate, history and lifestyle. Then there are others, like houses that for a time probably in the 60's to '80's period that underwent certain rebuilding that was not restoration as such and certainly not in style with the original architecture and fabric of the building.
This one, in the small Atherton Tableland town of Tolga is an example of how the best of intentions can go awry, especially over time. I note that it is what I call an equal opportunity pub too, advertising and selling both major mainstream brands of beer, the home grown XXXX (Fourex) from Brisbane and Great Northern which had its roots in Cairns in 1927 but is now owned and brewed by Carlton United in Yatala south of Brisbane.
Without being disparaging to the owners and modernisation, I do note those modern sliding and casement windows that were typically installed during the period I mentioned and some probable upgrading to the weatherboards. You can't really knock the use of solar panels these days but they do sort of cramp the style of the old corrugated iron roof. The pretty horrible besser block addition on the left is also typical of upgrades of the period. You can just see some of the fabric of the original verandah architecture with those doors on the first floor leading no doubt to what would have been and maybe still are bedrooms. Reversing all of this in a sensitive restoration would no doubt be an extremely expensive job. Note the rather temporary high visibility "gate" on the drive in, or drive through ("thru") bottle shop on the right.
Nevertheless, the place looks clean and smart, befitting this small rural and agricultural town. The pub no doubt caters more to locals than tourists in this particular location.
Whatever my personal tastes, a few small businesses in town are making a real go of it in a tough climate, we had a lovely coffee in a small cafe across the road that was really designed for locals. As is the pub of course.
Transformation?
I always like to feature classic Aussie pubs, many are totally iconic with our climate, history and lifestyle. Then there are others, like houses that for a time probably in the 60's to '80's period that underwent certain rebuilding that was not restoration as such and certainly not in style with the original architecture and fabric of the building.
This one, in the small Atherton Tableland town of Tolga is an example of how the best of intentions can go awry, especially over time. I note that it is what I call an equal opportunity pub too, advertising and selling both major mainstream brands of beer, the home grown XXXX (Fourex) from Brisbane and Great Northern which had its roots in Cairns in 1927 but is now owned and brewed by Carlton United in Yatala south of Brisbane.
Without being disparaging to the owners and modernisation, I do note those modern sliding and casement windows that were typically installed during the period I mentioned and some probable upgrading to the weatherboards. You can't really knock the use of solar panels these days but they do sort of cramp the style of the old corrugated iron roof. The pretty horrible besser block addition on the left is also typical of upgrades of the period. You can just see some of the fabric of the original verandah architecture with those doors on the first floor leading no doubt to what would have been and maybe still are bedrooms. Reversing all of this in a sensitive restoration would no doubt be an extremely expensive job. Note the rather temporary high visibility "gate" on the drive in, or drive through ("thru") bottle shop on the right.
Nevertheless, the place looks clean and smart, befitting this small rural and agricultural town. The pub no doubt caters more to locals than tourists in this particular location.
Whatever my personal tastes, a few small businesses in town are making a real go of it in a tough climate, we had a lovely coffee in a small cafe across the road that was really designed for locals. As is the pub of course.