User:Wooda71/sandbox

<!-- EDIT BELOW THIS LINE - Built on the present pub site, Whorouly’s first hotel was a rambling wooden building with a shingle roof; later an iron roof was placed over the shingles. It was built by the first publican Michael Dodd. Like many of the old watering holes it burnt down and the present concrete hotel was built by publican Sinclair in the early 1930s. The ‘new’ pub has been renovated, remodelled and revamped many times over the years, reflecting both the changing eras and the various owners/licencees. The latest incarnation occurred around 2005, when the bar was extended, layers of lino were removed from the floor to expose the old timber, and the ‘toilet’ tiles were removed from the walls, which were then given a lick of orange paint. The orange walls may not appeal to all, but when combined with the purple fireplace, the blue pool table and the green trimmings, it highlights one of the most colourful pubs in Australia. The 1980’s and 1990’s was a particularly vibrant time for the Whorouly Hotel, particularly under the management of legendary publican, John Hurley. Other highlights of this period included the birth of the ‘Whorouly Boys’ and visitors to the Hotel included VFL Legend Peter Hudson, Brownlow Medallist Freddie Goldsmith and Carlton Mosquito Fleet member Alex Marcou. The pub had a hiatus in the early 2000’s, with Graham Wood and Jennifer Garrett taking over the Whorouly Hotel in 2010 and running the business for a decade. In March 2011 Nick Barker and his band played at the Whorouly Hotel Beer Garden to mark the first of its type in the revitalised pub. Barker's band comprised Michael Barclay (ex-Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls, Weddings Parties Anything) on drums, Alan Brooker (ex-Paul Kelly and the Dots) on bass guitar and Justin Garner on lead guitar. It was organised by Troy Wood and publicans, Graham Wood and Jennifer Garrett. According to Geelong-based music critic, Rokdog (Chris Nicholls) it was an early contender for 2011 gig of the year. Barker and band also went on to play at the pub again in 2012 and 2013. In May 2020, a select group of Beer drinking experts across Australia, each with 30+ years experience, were asked to nominate their Top 10 Pubs/Bars. The Whorouly Hotel was recognised as the Number One Pub in the country, making all the contributors Top 10 lists.