It is the end of an era for the Allansford community as the historic Allansford Hotel (also known as the Junction Hotel) has officially been put up for sale.
The announcement marks the conclusion of nearly four decades of continuous ownership by the McLean family, leaving locals reflecting on the deep legacy of a beloved community hub.
For owner Di McLean, who has run the establishment for the past 25 years, the decision to sell the thriving business was incredibly difficult but ultimately necessary.
In an interview discussing the landmark decision, she reflected on the mixed emotions tied to walking away from the family business.
“It definitely is bittersweet, that’s probably one way to put it,” McLean shared. “It’s been a wonderful part of our life for, well, obviously 38 years when Dad owned it, and I’ve been here 25 years this year, all good things come to an end at some stage, and yeah, it’s just the right time for us.”
The pub holds a deeply personal history for the McLean family, rooted in a lifelong dream that spans generations in the local area.
Di’s father grew up on the very same street where his grandparents and parents had once lived.
She noted that taking over the local watering hole was something her father had wanted to do for as long as he could remember.
“It was always that ambition of his to own the pub,” McLean said. “So when the opportunity arose, yeah, he jumped on it and, yeah, he’s just loved being a part of it.”
Over the decades, her father became a permanent fixture in the front room, routinely commandeering a corner table with his close mate Jimmy Thompson.
Throughout the McLean family’s 38-year tenure, the hotel evolved into far more than just a place to grab a meal or a drink, serving as the absolute beating heart of Allansford.
Reflecting on her time at the helm, McLean highlighted major community milestones, including massive fundraising nights for “Shave for a Cure” with the Leukemia Foundation, as well as their major efforts with the Southwest Big Freeze girls to raise money for MND research.
Beyond charity, the hotel maintained a tight-knit relationship with local sports clubs, celebrating recent premiership victories with the cricket club and backing the local football club.
She emphasised how deeply intertwined the business is with the people who live there.
“We’ve got a wonderful community out here, and we’re very well supported by the community,” McLean noted. “It really is a lifestyle, you sort of become a part of the business.”
The sale represents a rare opportunity for a buyer to inherit a multi-faceted, thriving regional business.
Beyond the popular bar and dining operations, the property features 10 motel rooms at the rear and a public laundromat heavily utilised by local residents.
Inquiries have already begun trickling in, with McLean noting they have already had a couple of early “nibbles” from interested parties.
She expressed immense confidence that the next proprietors will find the venture just as rewarding as her own family did.
While the transition will undoubtedly bring more bittersweet moments as it progresses, McLean is looking forward to reclaiming some personal time and focusing on family.
When asked about life after the pub, she admitted she is taking it one step at a time but is highly anticipating spending more time with her son.
“It’d be nice to spend a bit more time with Jack, and yeah, it might be a bit of travel on the horizon as well,” McLean said,
Though control of the taps will eventually change hands, the McLean family’s footprint on Allansford remains permanent, and locals can rest assured they will still see Di and her father enjoying the community hub from the other side of the counter.
Watch Liam Fitzgeralds interview with Di below.
