JOLENE OGLE
The iconic Country Life Hotel, proudly standing at the entrance of Kin Kin, will celebrate 100 years this weekend. To mark this special occasion, a country fair will be held with markets, live music, food and rides for the kids plus huge raffles raising money in support of Variety Queensland.
The hotel was established in 1914 – a decade after the road was built across the range – and has withstood natural disasters, including the severe storms of 1985 which destroyed most of Kin Kin including St Luke’s Anglican Church.
In 2009, less than 12 months after extensive renovations, the pub was savaged in torrential flash floods which were so strong a shipping container was pushed over 100m away and onto the adjacent oval.
But true to the local community spirit of Kin Kin, the locals chipped in to help clean up their favourite watering hole and the hotel is now looking better than ever.
With local red gum bar tops and old railway tracks as foot rails, the pub is a living museum of a time gone by. Publican Peter Kidd and his devoted staff, Shelley Lait and and Lisa McDonough, and Variety Queensland have been working hard to organise a day to remember with live performances from Romeo’s Apprentice, Neil Doddy, Paul Terry and the Cook Island Dancers.
Variety Queensland local members, Toni King and Julie Smith, said they love raising money and, with more than 27 years of fundraising experience between them, the joy of helping local kids is what keeps them going.
The fun starts at noon with markets, rides and food available. Live music starts from 2pm until 10pm, with overnight camping available for $6 per person and breakfast available on Sunday.
Phone Toni or Julie on 0499 986 665 or 0408 989 753 for more information.
