Bellbrook pub up for Best Bush Pub award

The Bellbrook Hotel has a storied history dating back over a hundred years. Recently it was nominated for the Best Bush Pub category in the Australian Hotels Association 2018 awards for excellence. 

The current publican Shirley Smart is ecstatic her pub has been chosen as a finalist in the Best Bush Pub category of the awards.  

“The nomination is great. Just being in the top ten is really good, if we happen to win its just an added bonus.” Ms Smart said. 

“The more people who know about us the better, the Bellbrook is known for three things, the coldest beer,  great food and Nelly the pub dog.” 

Ms Smart hopes that the award will bring attention to bush pubs like hers and keep the tradition of the local pub going well into the future. 

“Country Pubs are doing it tough, little places like this need community support or they'll disappear.” 

“In my experience when the pub goes in small towns like this, the town doesn't survive for long after. 

“The pub is the hub of the town, without the pub, there will be no communal place to meet up and share a yarn.”

Despite its rustic appearance, Bellbrook hotel has updated with the times, it has a Pokie room, pool tables, a stage, kids playground and is even expecting a new kitchen next June/July. 

Even with the updates, the building has still managed to keep the good old fashioned feel to it, with its wooden floors, sheet metal walls and local yarns.

“A bloke with a horse tried to come in here once. I always wanted to own a little bush pub, stuff that like goes with the job.” Ms Smart said. 

Aside from the good old country vibe and beer, the Bellbrook Hotel has a wide variety of events and historical significance. 

“We have trivia nights, bands, karaoke, car rally's, an annual eel race and so much more. Bellbrook was Slim Dusty’s watering hole, and this was also a Yowie Hotspot, there was a big Yowie festival that has since stopped, hopefully, I can help get it up and running again in the next few years.” 

Anyone looking to experience a good old bush pub should check out the top ten finalist, Bellbrook hotel, located in the Main St, Bellbrook, NSW 2440. 

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