QHA-Review_April

FEATURE
GREEN CHANGE
WHEN IT COMES TO BEING HANDS ON IN THIS BUSINESS WAYNE AND JUNE
ASHCROFT CERTAINLY KNOW WHAT THAT’S ALL ABOUT.
QHA REVIEW | 36
The couple packed up their lives in Brisbane in
November 2012 and moved north to the little town of
Tuan after deciding it was time for a seachange.
A big part of that change was deciding to buy a
run down tavern and golf course just up the road at
Boonooroo and see what they could do with it.
Boonooroo and Tuan are coastal towns on the Great
Sandy Strait, south of Hervey Bay. Boonooroo’s
population is about 400 people – Tuan – even less.
June said prior to moving Wayne was working as a
transformer fitter based out of Salisbury, while she
worked full-time as a secretary for a company based in
Hemmant, a job she still does remotely to this day. It’s
a job she’s had for more than 40 years.
“We own a small block of land in Tuan which is the
fishing village next to Boonooroo,” June said.
“We had come up for a week’s recovery from illness
and our neighbours suggested that if we wanted to
leave Brisbane we could buy a pub and a golf course.
“We came around and had a look and fell in love with
it.
“The course was very run down and the Tavern
needed lots of work.
“Our family and friends came up and assisted us
month after month to clean up the course.
“Our family has been an integral part of our business in
helping with all aspects of the business.”
For the Ashcrofts is was a case of learning as they
went on all aspects of the business.
“We came into this business with no knowledge of
anything so it has been a learning curve all round for
both Wayne and I,” June said.
“We did a lot of reading and talked to lots of people
and have gone from there.
“We still ask lots of questions and I do lots of googling
for recipes.
“We have done lots of functions over the years
from weddings, high teas, presentation nights,
fishing comps, Melbourne Cups, Australia Days,
greenkeepers day, Autism Awareness Day, birthdays,
fundraising days, breast cancer awareness, golf days
and lots of other days.
“When we arrived here there were only three golf
members in the club. Now we have 60.”
The business runs with no staff, just Wayne and June,
and their local helpers.
“We have no staff, but we always have lots of
volunteers. We are very lucky. Our family is always here
to assist when we need them,” June said.
“When we were closed due to COVID our members
would come and play golf and use the honesty box to
try and keep us going.
“When we reopened our patrons stayed away because
our patrons were all scared.