By Garry Howe
Beer will again flow from the taps of the iconic Pakenham Hotel.
The historic pub – colloquially known as Purvies – dates back to the 1870s and had traded constantly under various incarnations until last month, when the current owners decided to pull up stumps.
It was destined to be converted to childcare centre or professional or medical suites, much to the chagrin of many locals, until a deal brokered by Barry Plant co-principal Dan O’Loughlin to keep it as a going concern came to fruition this week.
The hotel has been bought by a consortium including members of the Deegan family, well known in the pub game locally, who operate the Central Hotel in Beaconsfield for many years and also have an interest in the Royal Hotel at Kooweerup and, until recently, the Cardinia Park Hotel in Beaconsfield.
“This is a great result for Pakenham,” Mr O’Loughlin said.
“It will come as exciting news for local people who know about the history of this old pub.”
A born and bred local, Mr O’Loughlin said he first frequented the hotel with his parents and then celebrated many occasions there – birthdays, sporting premierships and the like.
“I know I have a lot of great memories there and I didn’t want to see it turned into a childcare centre,” he said.
“I wanted to sell it to someone who could keep it open as a hotel.
“This is a win-win situation for everyone.”
The hotel was established in November 1879 to coincide with the construction of the railway line through the new town.
It first operated as the Gembrook Hotel and by the early part of last century had been renamed The Pakenham Hotel.
In more recent times it was reincarnated as The Drave Tavern.
It is believed the hotel will carry a new name when it reopens later in the year.
For more details on the sale and community reaction to it, make sure you pick up next week’s Pakenham-Berwick Gazette.
