It’s every guy’s dream to own a pub – and while that might not be possible for every guy, the Tatura Hotel, located 183kms north of Melbourne, is offering Australians the next best thing.
Tatura’s favorite watering hole, owned by loved local larrikin Bugs Ryan is offering everyone a chance to become part of his beloved pub and a piece of Australian history. By calling on the good folk from ‘the Internet’ to contribute to a crowd-funding site to help finish off some much needed renovations, Bugs will shamelessly name parts of his pub in their honour.
This unconventional way of subsidising the pub’s future came to Bugs after a couple of regulars told him about how ‘the Internet’ was being used for things other than ‘the book-face’, ‘goggle’ and watching ‘greatest catch’ videos.
Built in 1901, The Tatura Pub is the town’s hub (well, Bugs thinks so) and many of the region’s big issues have been solved at Bugs’ bar. Famous for its cold beer, great tucker, friendly staff, the straight shooting darts team and larger than life publican, Bug’s – this is one local pub worth help- ing.
“We need a hand finishing the place off. We’re about $65,000 short of what we need to get our guest rooms up to standard, fix the balcony and replace some outdoor play equipment for the local kiddies. We’re ready to pull out all the stops and open this up to Australia to lend a hand,” says Bugs.
In return for contributions, Bugs will name parts of his cherished pub in the contributor’s honour; the greater the contribution, the greater the honour.
Australian’s (and international fans) could have the honour of having their name on a bar mat, the Happy Hour, a guest room, or could even a weekend of drinking and country hospitality with Bugs at the pub. Bugs has come up with a couple of celebrities he’ll be calling on, including; Kim Kardashian (he wants her famous derriere on a barstool), Jimmy Barnes, who he reckons could liven up the stage with some old-school Cold Chisel, and he’s asking the ladies of Tatura to vote for who they think should take pride of place in the gold guilt frame in the powder room.
“For all the folks that contribute, I’ll send an official ‘selfie’ of me and their item, so they can stake their claim on the pub and spread the Tatura-love on ‘the Internet’. We’ll be proud to have our great pub finished and to honour everyone who helped us,” said Bugs.
Some famous Aussies that are on board include comedian Peter Helliar, ex-AFL footballer and radio host Billy Brownless, as well as Australian companies Coopers Brewery and Pokies.com. Peter Helliar and Cooper’s founder Thomas Cooper will have their oil paintings hanging proudly, Pokies.com will ‘own’ the pub’s one pokie machine, while Billy Brownless has bravely agreed to have the men’s urinals named after him.
This is everyone’s chance to be part of the furniture at a true blue Aussie country pub, and we invite you to visit the crowd-funding page to make your mark on The Tatura Hotel and give the place a new lease on life.
Bugs now has ‘The Instagram’, so make sure to follow him on @bugsryan for updates on The Tatura Hotel – just bare with him as he figures out what hashtags are!