Buy a share in a local country pub at Illabo, NSW
Love your weekends in Illabo? Then buy a share in the pub and join our country community!
Current Illabo Longhorn Hotel lessees Krissy Aurisch and John "Jacko” Jackson, with Illabo Cooperative Board Members James Croker and Fiona Hamilton
MEDIA RELEASE - Provided by Nicholas Pyers - Junee Community Network
February 22, 2024 - Illabo, NSW
The fun, connectedness and sense of belonging that comes from being part of a vibrant country community is rare and priceless. Most only glimpse it on weekend visits to country based friends or if you participate in the quarterly Illabo Motorsports Park events.
For those who would love to become part of a strong and spirited community, to enjoy that sense of belonging to something worthwhile, then the tiny village of Illabo, population 144, may just provide that very opportunity.
An exciting future is emerging at the Longhorn Hotel within the centre of this small village in south west NSW. Not only is the Hotel now under energetic new management but the community has formed the Illabo Co-Operative Limited to buy the Hotel, store, accommodation, Licenced Post Office and associated land and they are inviting residents, regular visitors, and supporters of the village to join them.
“If you want to be part of something that’s fun, genuinely country and will give you a reason to get out of the city and experience something wonderful and very regional, then this is the perfect opportunity”, said Chairperson of the Illabo Co-Operative, Fiona Hamilton.
“It’s $5,000 a share to become a Founding Member of the Co-operative and have a stake in the Hotel and businesses. Interested parties can purchase as many shares as they like and how fun would it be to tell your mates “I own a country pub” or have an excuse to spend time in rural NSW just visiting your pub!”, said Mrs Hamilton.
While the village may be small, it serves a large surrounding farming community well known for its incredible spirit, being tight knit and knowing how to have fun! When the people of Illabo decide to do something, they do it well and they make it a success!
October 2023 they launched the Illabo Cooperative Limited with the sole focus of taking the community forward and ensuring a stable future by securing ownership of the village services.
From a population of around 150 in the village and perhaps a couple of hundred on surrounding farms, this vibrant group pull together hugely successful and entertaining events including the Illabo Show (one of the biggest and truly best country shows in country NSW), a massive Camp Draft, The Vintage Motorsports Park meets are held four times a year, The Illabo Long Lunch, The biannual Melodrama and the list goes on.
These events have all put Illabo on the map and bring hundreds of people to the area every couple of months. Visitors rave about the community and many visit repeatedly for the friendly people and amazing time they have.
Illabo is set in the most picturesque rural landscape on the burgeoning Canola Way. It is not far to the Junee Licorice Factory, Monte Cristo Historic Homestead (Australia’s Most Haunted House), Junee Railway Roundhouse Museum, the Temora Aviation Museum, Bradman’s Cottage in Cootamundra, or the Coolamon Cheese Factory. There is so much to see and do all within 45 minutes.
Historically the community has had to ride the highs and lows of hotel owners and managers, together with the uncertainty about the continuation of services.
“The heartbeat of most small rural communities is most typically found within the local watering hole. When the future and consistency of this is under threat it can undermine the very fabric of the community and we don’t want that to happen in Illabo.”, said Mrs Hamilton.
“We are not a “Save Our Pub” story as it has not closed down, but rather we want to be a proactive community, on the front foot, to make sure we have a bright future for all who come to visit and live here.” she said.
While the hotel is not a pretty building at the moment, it does house the stories of many a good time. The ceilings are covered in signatures of patrons past and present, girls’ nights, the old regulars and community gatherings are a constant. On a Friday night it’s hard to park near the front door and during the week the truckies and travellers breeze in for coffees and lunches.
So next time you are here, rather than drive through in the 20 seconds it takes to pass from one side of Illabo to the other, stop in for a friendly chat and refreshment and maybe you too will want to be a part of this warm and welcoming community.
Visit www.illabo-coop.com for more information or to join this compelling project.