"The hotel ownership was a shared experience with my husband... selling is the right decision."
Gerry Gimblett, former school principal, and her husband Chris bought the Yaraka Hotel in Queensland in 2010 after a chance phone call. Built around 1917, the pub is over 100 years old and serves as a vital community hub for locals and tourists.
Tragedy struck in 2023 when Chris Gimblett died in a car crash. Gerry survived the crash but was injured. Citing the loss of her husband and the joint nature of the business, she has now decided to sell the hotel.
Her primary hope is to sell to someone who understands the pub’s role in the community. The pub, located in Yaraka—a town of about 20 people in Queensland, Australia—has attracted country music singers and tourists, hosting sunset tours and featuring a popular fireplace.
Local grazier Susan Glasson praised the Gimbletts' hospitality over their 14 years of ownership.
"We are looking for the right buyer, someone who understands what this pub means to the town," Gerry said.
In a lighter moment from 2020, the hotel famously banned two emus, Kevin and Carol, from the premises due to disruptive behavior.