Career-changing couple take over the reins of not one but two country pubs

Darren Tangey has traded construction sites for pouring beers in the town of Menindee. (ABC Broken Hill: Lily McCure)

With no hospitality experience of any kind, Darren and Deana Tangey did not know what to expect when they became the new publicans of not one but two outback pubs.

Darren had spent his working life as a builder while his wife Deana had been a school services officer.

But when the couple heard that both of Menindee’s “watering holes” in remote New South Wales were up for lease, they decided to take on the challenge.

“I never thought I’d take on a pub,” Darren said.

“We looked at a few other businesses, but then this [the pub leases] became available.

“I thought, ‘Why not? Let’s give it a crack.'”

The couple from Broken Hill, in far west NSW, made the move to Menindee, 100 kilometres away, in October last year to officially become the town publicans of both the Maiden’s hotel and the Albemarle hotel.

“We’re pretty happy we did so far,” Darren said.

A change of scenery

Darren, who had been working as a builder for about 13 years, had had enough of the industry.

He was looking for something that would be more sustainable.

“I couldn’t keep building; it was just hurting [my body] too much,” he said.

“I thought I could pour beers for the next 10 years, saves me climbing on roofs out in the heat.”

Tourist hotspot

With its large inland lake system and position on the banks of the Darling River, Menindee is a popular tourist destination.

For Darren, chatting to the travellers who walk through the doors is part of what he likes most about the role.

“We’re meeting different people all the time, with the tourists coming through, that’s what I really enjoy,” he said.

“We have people from all over Australia and a lot of overseas tourists have started coming through again.”

But it’s not just the travellers that appreciate a cool beverage.

Longtime local Tony Cicak has been a regular at the Maiden Hotel for the best part of 40 years.

The retired mechanic said the pub was an important part of any town, providing a meeting place for locals and travellers alike.

“A community needs something like it where everyone meets and talks,” he said.

Tony is a member of the pub’s Table of Knowledge, also known as the pub regulars, that “spin yarns” and offer guidance to visitors looking to find the best spots in the area.

“It’s almost like a tourist attraction; we tell them which way to go and what the best things are around the place,” he said.

“They appreciate it when you give them advice.”

Two different pubs

For most, taking on one pub would be enough, so to take on two could be described as quite a courageous move.

Darren said that at first, they were certainly “hesitant”, but the experience so far had been “better than expected”.

“It’s a great little community up here, great people,” he said.

The two pubs offer very different experiences and cater for a range of demographics.

“The Maiden’s [clientele] is more touristy, and we’ve got the restaurant open,” Darren said.

“The Albemarle is more a young person’s pub, all the young ones go there … they’ve got the jukebox, pool tables and dart boards so they party on over there.

“It’s two different set-ups of pubs so it works really well.”

And for those considering a career change later in life, Darren said that while it was unfamiliar territory, they were glad they took the plunge.

“Just have a go, we were scared at first,” he said.

“We got thrown in the deep end, but I suppose that’s the best way to learn.”