A NEW era is about to be added to the colourful, century long history of the Kandanga Hotel, with the owners for the past five years, Doug and Carol Greensil, selling up and retiring.

The Greensills took over in 2015, eight months before the pub burnt to the ground, almost taking its news owners with it, if it hadn’t been for the quick thinking and actions of a neighbour who woke the sleeping couple up.

No tears at Kandanga’s makeshift pub this New Year’s Eve

Eventually the hotel was rebuilt and reopened in July 2017, and most recently, after having it on the market for $1.55 million, it has sold.

FROM THE ASHES: Rebirth of Kandanga Hotel about to begin

Locals have planned a send-off for the couple next Friday, December 11, but ownership of the pub does not officially change hands until December 14.

A family from Mudjimba on the Sunshine Coast has purchased the hotel.

Doug and Carol plan to retire in Gympie, though after having the pub on the market for some time and thinking it was not going to sell, they sold their home in Gympie to their son just two weeks ago.

“Now we’re homeless,” Doug jokes.

But with three children and nine grandchildren they have plenty of options for places to stay until they find a new home to move into. Spending time with their grandchildren is high on their list of retirement priorities.

They might even take a couple of their youngest grandchildren on a cruise.

Owning and running the Kandanga Pub was not the Greensill’s first foray into hotels. They did the same out at Wooroolin, between Wondai and Kingaroy, from 2004-2008. But the support and friendship from the Kandanga locals has truly moved them.

“We have had a wonderful time here, even with the fire,” said Doug.

“It’s the support of the community.”

What has been Doug’s favourite memory over the past five years?

“I though shooting the Boar movie here was great for the area,” he says.

And, of course, the day the new pub finally opened.

“We had over a thousand people come through the doors on the day we reopened.”