The internet Pub: Victoria’s Tatura Hotel’s viral video to sell honours to fund its renovation The internet Pub: Victoria’s Tatura Hotel’s viral video to sell honours to fund its renovation
IT’S dubbed the “people’s pub” and now the public can buy a slice to help finish its renovation.
The Tatura Hotel, near Shepparton in the state’s north, is asking “The internet” to donate to its renovation fund by having a chicken parmigiana, bar stool or bar mat named after them.
They can be named on the Board of Tatura — a real board hanging in the pub — or be immortalised in an oil painting in the dining room.
For $2000, the pub will frame a photo of the donor claiming they caught the biggest fish in Tatura — “photoshopping included”.
The campaign has raised more than $18,000 since it launched on Wednesday.
A video with part owner Peter “Bugs” Ryan — who owns the pub with his brother, nephew and a friend — has been viewed more than 200,000 times.
The foursome bought the pub four years ago and spent nine months renovating.
They want to raise $65,000 to work on the guest rooms and balcony, as well as replace some outdoor play equipment.
“Bugs” told the Herald Sun the pub had been flooded with messages from “Switzerland, Canada, Philadelphia and London”.
“It has been absolutely crazy — the money side is obviously a bonus but how quickly it has spread around the world is unbelievable,” he said.
“We got a copy of a report back in Polish and we were in the London Daily Mirror.
“Tatura is only a town of 3500 people so we needed to expand our support base. We try to make it a pub for the people.
“We try to encourage the families to come down and we have a ‘kids eat free’ night.”
The public face of the campaign will be kept busy, with a “Skype and Sip” session with Bugs offered for $15.
Bugs will be the official tour guide for five people in the $2500 “Weekend with Bugs” package, which includes two night’s accommodation, meals, a round of golf and $400 drink voucher.
Source: Herald Sun - 19th June 2015
