Pleasant Hills Community Hotel celebrates its centenary

Back in 2000 the eastern Riverina watering hole was under threat of closure. Yet the decision to make it a community pub has since paid off.

On Saturday night more than 300 people visited the Pleasant Hill Community Hotel to celebrate 100 years of its existence. 

Pleasant Hills Hotel committee chairman Corey Beckett said to say the evening was a success was an understatement.

He said people travelled from as far away as Melbourne and Brisbane to join the gathering. 

Initially organisers had an estimate of 205 people for the centenary event but ultimately more than 300 people attended.

Mr Beckett said the big crowd contributed to a record of $13,000 in bar takings for the venue. 

“I hope we can see it go for another 100 years … that’s a hard one to call but we would love to see that,” he said.

Members of the community researched the history of the pub and Mr Beckett said there were displays of memorabilia too. 

Pleasant Hills became a community hotel back in March 2000 and Mr Beckett has been involved since 2004. 

Despite the big gathering on Saturday night he said the venue usually had a relaxed family atmosphere.

He said it was a place where people could catch up, share a conversation, mateship and a meal.

And community support, and rosters were what made the pub run. 

In addition to catering for locals in the region he said visitors often came past.

Anything from mystery bus tours to car cubs and cycling groups have supported the hotel over the years. 

If members of the community hadn’t intervened back in 2000 the closest pub would have been Henty on the eastern side or Walbundrie and Lockhart to the north. 

“It is a close group who run it and all of the local people to a lot to keep it open, they work behind the bar and take turns on the roster,” Mr Beckett said.

“The centenary was certainly a big achievement and worth celebrating,” he said.  

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