Apsley Pub - Community Hub Decimated

THIS GOFUNDME PAGE HAS BEEN INSTIGATED BY THE APSLEY PROGRESS ASSOCIATION

So you saw that photo of the car that smashed through the side of a pub. You had a laugh, shared it with a mate, made a witty joke. And moved on.

“I’m sure they’re insured.” 'They’ are Shane and Catherine Bourke – brand new owners of Apsley’s Border Inn Hotel. The Bourkes sold their family home to buy the pub in July, 2022.

It was a risky venture – the former owners were forced to close and sell after COVID-induced lockdowns and border restrictions. But the community rallied behind the Bourkes and dedicated staff, delighted that the centrepiece of Apsley was finally brought back to life.

Our isolated town was bustling once again and the Bourkes were working seven days a week, excited about a busy summer of festivities. Less than four months in, that car smashed through the building’s historic façade, decimating the bar, dining room and parlour.

Shane Bourke said they’d “be lucky” to rebuild and reopen within six months.

And yes, they were insured. But that means very little. The Bourkes won’t be covered for the loss of at least six months’ trade, over the busiest part of the year.

The insurance company won’t make builders, rarer than Spring sunshine, magically appear in the region. Their staff members, who have all moved into the region, are suddenly without work. “If we lose them, we lose this place,” Shane Bourke said. “They’re the ones we’re really worried about.”

The Apsley community is not in mourning over bricks and mortar.

What has been lost is the beating heart of a community, following years of disconnection and despair.

So please, share that photo again. Share the story of the Bourkes and of our Apsley community. And if you can, please share some funds to help us – once again – rebuild our beloved Border Inn Hotel.

- This fundraiser has been organised by a community group called Apsley Progress Association - it is a group which often raises money to help out multiple groups/businesses/organisations in the town and community (ie. upgrading sporting facilities, assisting with the building of local businesses, putting on local community events).

- The beneficiaries will be Shane and Catherine Bourke - who are the local publicans who are undergoing a difficult time since the car crashed into their pub at high speed.

- The Apsley Progress Association will receive the donations and disperse the funds with Shane and Catherine's guidance - ie. helping pay to keep full-time staff on despite no work, or the rebuilding of the pub (once the assessment stage is complete). Shane and Catherine's email address is:

[email redacted]