Di’s patrons best part of pub life
DI Houghton has seen some "real characters" walk through the doors of the Westwood Hotel, but she says that's the best part of the job.
The hotel owner meets people from around the country on a daily basis, as they stop by on their travels through Central Queensland.
It's not only travellers she meets, there's plenty of truckies who stop in and always have a few stories. Di says they are simply "good guys and top people".
Di, a former truckie herself, even made off-road parking and shower facilities for fellow truckies so they could take a break at the hotel.
Di grew up in Rockhampton and returned to the region after moving around the country as a barmaid and eventually buying her own truck and driving interstate for 10 years.
The 68-year-old ended up back in the region running the Keppel Sands Hotel, before heading out bush to Westwood after buying the hotel.
Di, and her husband Les, are ready to celebrate 20 years of ownership and wouldn't have life any other way.
"It's not hard work, not when you get so much out of it," Di said.
"I love meeting different people and chatting to those from around the country."
Di says she's happy to chat to anyone, from truckies driving through to an 81-year-old lady who was on a road trip of her own.
"It's great, I just love talking to people and doing what I do... we've had some real characters," she said.
It's not just the travellers she loves, she has had regular patrons for years who still joke with her about having been at the pub for two decades.
"They walk through the door and say, 'are you still here?'," Di said.
Di says despite the hotel being on the market for some time, one of her kids will most likely end up taking it over.
Di and her family are celebrating 20 years of ownership on October 25, and everyone is welcome.
Source: The Morning Bulletin, Lisa Benoit, 12th October 2015
Originally published as: Di’s patrons best part of pub life
