Gabrielle Duykers, Naracoorte Community News

The Naracoorte Hotel Motel will bid farewell to long-time family operators the Pettman’s, with new owners to take over the business early next month.

Hotel Motel manager Josh Pettman runs the facility with the help of his wife Jody and parents Heather and David.

He said the family were presented with an offer from Australian Venue Co. that came at the right time.

‘’We weren’t planning on selling but the opportunity arose and thought we would take it,” Mr Pettman said.

“We’ve been in it for a while and I think mum and dad are ready to retire.”

The Pettman family are third generation publicans and first took over the facility in 1997 before selling in 2004. The pub saw several different owners pass through before the family repurchased the business in 2017.

When asked what he thought locals liked most about the hotel, Mr Pettman said it came down to the “traditional country” feel and consistent quality service.

“I think people like the feel of the hotel, it’s got a good atmosphere,” he said.

“We have lots of groups meet here so it’s become a community hub.”

During his stint as manager, Mr Pettman said he was most proud of how the family had developed the business over time, and how they adjusted hotel services during COVID-19 restrictions.

“A huge thank you to the Naracoorte community ‒ they’re the ones that have got behind us and especially through COVID-19 we were really supported,” he said.

“I’d also like to thank our staff, they’ve been a huge part of our success and our team.”

Mr Pettman said he was looking forward to taking a break over the summer season and spending time with his three young boys. 

Gus Grist has been working as hotel assistant manager for the past four years and will now take over as venue manager.

He said he was keen to work with the new owners and carry on with “business as usual”.

“I’m excited to take the big chair and just keep providing that good friendly service that we have to the community for the past few years now,” Mr Grist said.

Australian Venue Co. is due to take over the hotel on December 13. The purchase follows a string of hotel movements across the region, with the Bushman’s Arms, Woolshed Inn in Bordertown, and Royal Oak in Penola all purchased by the Duxton Pubs Group earlier this year.

This article appeared in Naracoorte Community News, 24 November 2021.