Hawkesdale has a new publican and he’s moved in with a barrel of big dreams.
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Having retired from Glaxosmithkline after a heart operation in 2011, former Port Fairy resident Peter Dowie and his wife Sandy have found a new passion in the Hawkesdale Hotel.
They’ve been managing the rural drinking hole for nine months now but admit as soon as licenses are sorted they are hoping to transform the backyard ale house into a rustic oasis.
Last month they held their first wedding and hosted more than 120 guests.
By Christmas 2017 they’re hoping to fill the pub with families and festivities.
What brought you to Hawkesdale? My son was playing footy here and after I retired I bought a house here. I was going to build a house in the beginning but I changed my mind and bought a pub. I want it to be a real family pub. On New Years Eve and Christmas Eve we tested it out with rides, a castle and family meals. We had plenty of kids and it was a great day.
What is the best thing about living in Hawkesdale? The people and the quietness. It’s very relaxing. There’s never any trouble and there’s lots of laughter. We’ve got a great P-12 here with good numbers and the free camping spot is usually choc-a-block with backpackers.
What do you hope for the future of Hawkesdale? More people. We need a servo and a milkbar and more families to move to the area. It’s such a great spot. It’s in the middle of everything and we need more people to realise how good it is here.
And the future of the Hawkesdale Hotel? We want to bring the venue back to life. We’ve got a terrific cook, great venue and the support from the Hawkesdale people is just tremendous. We want to be known as a family pub.
Favourite movie? Braveheart.
AFL team? Collingwood.
Best dish to order at the Hawkesdale Hotel? Seafood parma, or pizza.
Nickname that won’t leave? Dags.
Tell us something people might not know about you? Nothing – everyone knows everything about me. My staff think I’m the best boss ever. (And that I have no staff other than family).
Favourite wine, red or white? Neither, I’d rather a beer, as long as it’s cold.
Favourite dish to cook? A good casserole or stew.
