Thanks to Slim Dusty many people are familiar with the plight of a pub with no beer, but not many people know the plight of a town with no pub.
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That is what the community of Koorawatha is facing with their beloved Koorawatha Hotel closing its doors just shy of Christmas last year. Some residents are making the most of it, still attending the local watering hole and satisfying their thirst.
Local resident Geoff Mahon said since the demise of the hotel, two good friends and patrons have been keeping the dream alive on the outdoor area on the Boorowa Street side of the hotel from about 6pm till 9pm every Saturday afternoon.
He said the closure had been a surprise to all the residents.
"No one knew (about the closure) and it wrecks the community," he said.
"That pub has been there for 40 years or more, it's a socialising place, it's where we go to find out the news and who is living or dying. So it was a big blow, we haven't got the post office and the tip is being changed," he said.
Mr Mahon, who served in the army for 26 years, moved to Koorawatha 23 years ago.
"It had the pub, the post office and I thought 'this will do me', now it's got nothing," he said.
"It wrecks you, I only live 150 yards from the place and now when I need to get into town I need to hitchhike. We only get mail three days a week, Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 3pm to 5pm which doesn't suit people who work in Cowra and can't get back by 5pm.
"It impacts on you and the community, housing prices go down because people don't want to move out there. That's the flow-on effect," he said.
Mr Mahon said the locals were putting on a brave face and having some fun with the closure.
"A lot of the time the truckies go past and give a beep. Some of the locals do too, it's just a little bit of an uplift for us. Just remember if they take away our laughs we've got nothing, so give the boys a beep on your way past."
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