Buckley’s Of Dunolly

Blog 2. Continuing the story of Rachel’s purchase of an 1863 hotel in the Central Goldfields of Victoria. September 2011.

I feel quite important now. Having the encouragement of the National Trust adds a certain verisimilitude (wonderful word I can’t even pronounce correctly); such an august body - as in perfection, not the calendar month! I was overwhelmed and touched by the positive, warm encouragement of the Trust. Poor devils don’t know what they’ve started by encouraging me to write a blog. They’ll never get rid of me now. We highly acclaimed writers are a delicate breed –– hmm! Proust, Dickens and Buckley! Literary awards are on the cards.

Now, just as an aside – wasn’t the Melbourne Open day a feast of joy for the senses? I revelled in traipsing along old corridors – from the Seafarers Mission to Bishopscourt. The National Trust Tasma Terrace was also an open day delight. Chance would have it that Alix Hill was there – serendipity and my famous Buckley luck. She made me so welcome. We discussed all sorts of splendid ideas such as including the old hotel as a destination t for the 2012 Heritage weekend in the Goldfields. Hooray for us! What fun it will be to research the story of Ann and William Wigham who built the hotel in 1863. I can then host tours of the building and relay the tales.

So what has happened since the last blog? Well, not a lot as yet. It is all lists and plans, and settlement is imminent. My girlfriend observed that most people go for a holiday and come back with a small souvenir – I drove around on the National Trust Heritage and came back with a hotel. All my chums are quite excited now and it seems that I’ve unleashed something in people –now they all want to do something dramatic in their midlife! Woops! Maybe everyone should holiday with me in Dunolly until the fever wears off. There is something about an old building that gets the juices of passion stirred up. The history, the stories, the births and deaths, tragedy and joy of past lives – wonderful and operatic – and real. There is nothing more interesting than facts.

I have to admit that it is slightly daunting to relocate lock, stock and barrel to a new environment – even for me, and I am the eternal optimist. I don’t know anyone in the Central Goldfields area. No matter, says I. Once I join the local historical society, the garden club, the traders association and rehearsal and choir nights, I will be hankering for a night off.

In one way it is good to be on the outside as I get an unbiased view of the community. Remember when it was so difficult to get information, and waiting for letters of introduction to be acknowledged? How easy it is now. The computer is of monumental importance and so easy to access contact names and addresses. I introduced myself online to local B & B’s, cafes and hotels in the vicinity. The traders need to be reassured that I am not competing with them. No bed and breakfast business for me, thanks– too many beds to change. And the thought of running a restaurant makes me shudder with horror – I like to eat, not cook. In other words I am not a threat to the business community of the town.

I am fully aware that in a small town people will talk about the new person arriving, especially with a landmark building of the area. Facts get jumbled without early information. I had visions of the locals fearing an imminent Hell Fire Club or opium den.....ooh, the imagination goes wild! Get in first with the facts, say I, or the vacuum will be filled with speculation.

I rang and emailed as many people in trade as I could - the local head of traders association, the Hotel, the cafes. Some were pleased to receive my courtesy call of introduction, others were wary, and some just didn’t respond. The web sites of some businesses are obviously not updated regularly and don’t even have proper addresses or numbers. It has shown me how important it is to keep that first point of call up to date, clear and informative.

So what am I doing in the old hotel, I hear you ask? Well, as I mentioned in the first blog I intend it to be filled with music. I have many talented colleagues who sing opera and play instruments. My grand design is to have a venue of fine music. Remember the Savoy Ballroom – I repeat ad nauseam the word “Ballroom” in my Hyacinth Bucket voice. Of course, you are green with envy. Did I also mention the property has “room for a pony”?

Aside from my nonsense, I believe that the Ballroom begs an audience - aficionados of fine music. My dream is to host monthly coffee concerts, high tea and candlelit operatic soirees. All very elegant and refined and oh so, proper! No spitting on the floor of this old hotel, thank you! I propose to dress up and bung-on-side a lá Lady Bracknell.

I am also dreaming up plans for an annual Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in September. Come for a sing-a-long Pirates of Penzance and let fly with that hidden bass voice!

Have you been watching “Renovation Man” on the ABC? Makes my project look like a doddle.

So now back to planning the big move and doing more research on Dunolly and Ann Wigham. Just wait until you hear her story, it is fascinating. But! You will just have to wait until the next instalment....Just like Charles Dickens! We great writers know to keep you in suspense.....