1. SPECIAL NOTE TO NEW REGISTRATIONS

    If you recently registered and have not received a confirmation email - please check your 'Spam or Junk' folders. Especially if your email is Hotmail. More help with confirmation issues

    NOTE: This notice may be closed.

    Dismiss Notice

  2. There's more to this forum than meets the eye!

    We have a vibrant community here conversing about all sorts of non-snow topics such as music, sport, politics and technology. Simply register to reveal all our Après topics or continue browsing and reading as a guest.

    NOTE: This notice may be closed.

    Dismiss Notice
New Registrations Message to Guests

Kooroora ready for redevelopment in October

Discussion in 'Mt Buller' started by djam, Sep 19, 2018.

Page 1 of 3
  1. djam

    djam One of Us

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2009
    Messages:
    1,222
    Likes Received:
    362
    KOOROORA READY FOR REDEVELOPMENT IN OCTOBER
    18 September 2018

    Historic changes at Mt Buller are underway this Spring with the redevelopment of the iconic Kooroora building in early October.
    The highly anticipated project is going ahead following the strong pre-sale off the plan. Stage 1 will include retail spaces, a new pub and car parking in ready for winter 2019, to be followed by prestige apartments on the upper levels for winter 2020.
    Spokesperson for Kooroora Holdings Martin Ansell said, “This bold $40m development is generating plenty of excitement in the Mt Buller community and shows the confidence and optimism we are seeing on the mountain right now. Our team is eager to get started and ensure Stage 1 is complete and ready to throw open the doors for opening weekend of the 2019 snow season.”
    The Kooroora building is well-known as home of the legendary Kooroora Hotel, affectionately known as the “Hoo Ha”. The pub famously plays the Dean Martin classic “That’s Amore” ahead of closing the doors each night and has been the site of many celebrations since it opened back in 1953. The original Kooroora built by Ernest and Aurel Forras burned down in 1961 and the current building has stood in the village welcoming guests since 1962.
    The current licensee for the Kooroora Hotel Joe Maisano is preparing a big celebration for the final day at the pub starting with a grand final breakfast, celebrations all day and a last “Last HooHa Hoorah!” on Saturday 29 September, after which it will close the doors for the final time. “The Kooroora is quite simply where Mt Buller parties. It’s the social heart of the village and there are decades of memories and stories inside these walls. Saturday 29th September will be a special night. I am sure people will talk about the final night at the ‘Hoo Ha’ for years to come and my team looks forward to sending this legendary venue off in style. A few nostalgic tears might be shed when “That’s Amore” plays for the last time,” said Maisano.
    Works on the demolition ahead of the Stage 1 development will commence immediately after the final night. The developers plan to conserve some elements of the legendary pub and salvage a few special items that reflect the rich history of the venue.

    Enquiries: info@kooroora.com.au
     
    #1 djam, Sep 19, 2018
    DbSki likes this.
  2. Hunter

    Hunter Part of the Furniture Endless Winter Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2000
    Messages:
    13,462
    Likes Received:
    532
    Location:
    goughs bay
    Great news
     
    #2 Hunter, Sep 19, 2018
  3. Bogong

    Bogong Part of the Furniture Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2005
    Messages:
    11,818
    Likes Received:
    2,085
    Location:
    The pointy end, fully reclined
    Well the old place was always a dump, even way back in the 1980s when I first went there as a kid. So while I'll be sad to see it go for nostalgic reasons, almost any replacement will probably be a lot better for the drinking public.
     
    #3 Bogong, Sep 19, 2018
    currawong likes this.
  4. currawong

    currawong Old but not so Crusty Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2003
    Messages:
    30,559
    Likes Received:
    13,867
    Location:
    Kiewa Valley
    my memory
     
    #4 currawong, Sep 19, 2018
  5. Hunter

    Hunter Part of the Furniture Endless Winter Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2000
    Messages:
    13,462
    Likes Received:
    532
    Location:
    goughs bay
    Staying in the bunk rooms was always different.................
     
    #5 Hunter, Sep 19, 2018
    Tanuki likes this.
  6. Tanuki

    Tanuki A Local Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2010
    Messages:
    8,072
    Likes Received:
    4,042
    Had some great night's there when I was working at Buller. Easy stroll back up to Faulty Tower'.
     
    #6 Tanuki, Sep 19, 2018
  7. LiveToSki

    LiveToSki One of Us Ski Pass: Silver

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2001
    Messages:
    1,803
    Likes Received:
    497
    Location:
    Melbourne, Vic
    Stained stinky carpet??
     
    #7 LiveToSki, Sep 19, 2018
    Tanuki and Bogong like this.
  8. TOFF

    TOFF Im kind of a big deal Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2004
    Messages:
    43,562
    Likes Received:
    17,657
    Location:
    Somewhere between right and wrong
    Maybe you could bid on that for the flat?
     
    #8 TOFF, Sep 19, 2018
    mx_boarder, di6loc and LiveToSki like this.
  9. di6loc

    di6loc One of Us

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2018
    Messages:
    3,000
    Likes Received:
    5,294
    Location:
    Consuming a legume nearest you
    How appropriate. :D

    @CarveMan
     
    #9 di6loc, Sep 19, 2018
    CarveMan likes this.
  10. TOFF

    TOFF Im kind of a big deal Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2004
    Messages:
    43,562
    Likes Received:
    17,657
    Location:
    Somewhere between right and wrong
    Bet his family sold much product over the years straight from the mens room vending machine ;)
     
    #10 TOFF, Sep 19, 2018
  11. DbSki

    DbSki Old n' Crusty Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2012
    Messages:
    20,672
    Likes Received:
    6,741
    Location:
    Melb
    Ziggy Zaggy !
    Ziggy Zaggy !
    Oi oi oi !
     
    #11 DbSki, Sep 19, 2018
  12. di6loc

    di6loc One of Us

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2018
    Messages:
    3,000
    Likes Received:
    5,294
    Location:
    Consuming a legume nearest you
    Sorry, Buller in-joke. I grew up with Marty and we've had many messy nights at the Hoo Ha. But yes he copped a lot of shit for that surname as a kid.

    He "married well", I'll leave it at that.

    :out:
     
    #12 di6loc, Sep 19, 2018
    SkiMun, CarveMan and TOFF like this.
  13. TOFF

    TOFF Im kind of a big deal Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2004
    Messages:
    43,562
    Likes Received:
    17,657
    Location:
    Somewhere between right and wrong
    Most 'Marty's' are great guys.
    Just the very best type of people.
     
    #13 TOFF, Sep 19, 2018
    Apresski, skiflat and di6loc like this.
  14. LiveToSki

    LiveToSki One of Us Ski Pass: Silver

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2001
    Messages:
    1,803
    Likes Received:
    497
    Location:
    Melbourne, Vic
    Most - not all....
     
    #14 LiveToSki, Sep 19, 2018
    currawong and TOFF like this.
  15. DbSki

    DbSki Old n' Crusty Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2012
    Messages:
    20,672
    Likes Received:
    6,741
    Location:
    Melb
    Repost of old Kooroora shots from the 50's before it burned down.

    Kooroora Chalet Entry

    [​IMG]

    Kooroora Chalet

    [​IMG]

    Kooroora Deck

    [​IMG]

    Kooroora Entry

    [​IMG]

    Kooroora with Icicles

    [​IMG]

    Kooroora Chalet

    [​IMG]
     
    #15 DbSki, Sep 19, 2018
    xuěboarder, skiflat, MickM and 4 others like this.
  16. DbSki

    DbSki Old n' Crusty Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2012
    Messages:
    20,672
    Likes Received:
    6,741
    Location:
    Melb
    #16 DbSki, Sep 19, 2018
    mx_boarder and di6loc like this.
  17. Moondog55

    Moondog55 One of Us

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2014
    Messages:
    1,715
    Likes Received:
    749
    Place always smelled like stale beer and vomit to me, but I only did two seasons at Buller, at the Whit actually which always smelled of mildew and mould to me.
     
    #17 Moondog55, Sep 19, 2018
    Bogong likes this.
  18. crackson

    crackson A Local Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2006
    Messages:
    7,932
    Likes Received:
    5,172
    Location:
    Snowy Mountains
    All caps? Really?
     
    #18 crackson, Sep 19, 2018
    di6loc likes this.
  19. VSG

    VSG Crayon Master Moderator Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 1998
    Messages:
    68,667
    Likes Received:
    5,013
    Location:
    Port Macquarie NSW
    *cough* *choke*.... mmmm.
     
    #19 VSG, Sep 19, 2018
  20. TOFF

    TOFF Im kind of a big deal Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2004
    Messages:
    43,562
    Likes Received:
    17,657
    Location:
    Somewhere between right and wrong
    True fact
     
    #20 TOFF, Sep 19, 2018
  21. Tanuki

    Tanuki A Local Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2010
    Messages:
    8,072
    Likes Received:
    4,042
    This Marty 'in joke' is intriguing. Who is Marty? #je suis Marty
     
    #21 Tanuki, Sep 19, 2018
  22. VSG

    VSG Crayon Master Moderator Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 1998
    Messages:
    68,667
    Likes Received:
    5,013
    Location:
    Port Macquarie NSW
    Well, before most of you were born, I was skiing Buller. Big, big dump. 1981. July I think. Stayed at the the UniMelb lodge.

    I am not sure if the Roota is in this shot, I took one day. It is from a hopelessly underexposed (dark) slide I took then, scanned and forced to look somewhat respectable. Snow hit 3.5m that year, about 2.3m here in this shot. Of which 1 metre fell in the two and half days I was there.

     
    #22 VSG, Sep 19, 2018
    The Plowking, mx_boarder, di6loc and 2 others like this.
  23. VSG

    VSG Crayon Master Moderator Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 1998
    Messages:
    68,667
    Likes Received:
    5,013
    Location:
    Port Macquarie NSW
    oh, bugger it. Another one. Looks like I reversed the slide.

     
    #23 VSG, Sep 19, 2018
    mx_boarder, di6loc and DbSki like this.
  24. snowgum

    snowgum One of Us

    Joined:
    May 4, 1999
    Messages:
    3,265
    Likes Received:
    1,073
    Location:
    vic
    Sorry I'm not sad to see the old Koroora go. With due respect to all K devotees, It's a visual blight on the Village square area and really should have been dozed a decade or two ago. I can only hope the accopanying Backpackers is modernised or rebuilt with it. Our budget skiers deserve better.

    But this a great development for the mountain - I look forward to the grand opening. ASAP!
     
    #24 snowgum, Sep 19, 2018
    Vermillion and Bogong like this.
  25. Darksidepoints

    Darksidepoints Hard Yards

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2009
    Messages:
    301
    Likes Received:
    21
    Location:
    Winter
    Maybe they'll keep the urinal for that authentic Hoo Ha smell, that seems to have expanded from only near the toilet doors into the entire middle third of the venue lately.

    The news of 'Prestige apartments' sounds like bad news to me. With the YHA gone, there's no options for those who just need a cheap bed to crash on overnight. Sad. Buller was always more chill to me, and Hotham for the rich and snobby. Looks like they are determined for that to change.

    EDIT: I should add that I am well aware Buller Backpackers is the worst accomodation in Australia and way overpriced for what it was, but if you didn't bring luggage or plan on showering (or getting that much sleep) it was adequate for it's purpose.
     
    #25 Darksidepoints, Oct 8, 2018
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2018
  26. Apresski

    Apresski Pool Room Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2007
    Messages:
    47,578
    Likes Received:
    8,879
    Location:
    Melbourne
    My husband worked at Koorora in the bar for a season, around 1971 I believe He maintains his bed was a mattress in a cupboard!
     
    #26 Apresski, Oct 8, 2018
    MickM and Bogong like this.
  27. djam

    djam One of Us

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2009
    Messages:
    1,222
    Likes Received:
    362
    I used to dream of having a mattress in my cupboard :out:
     
    #27 djam, Oct 8, 2018
    Apresski likes this.
  28. Seth

    Seth Pool Room Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2000
    Messages:
    41,327
    Likes Received:
    19,917
    Location:
    The Higher Ground
    Working in property development at Buller, have to assume he married into the familia.
     
    #28 Seth, Oct 8, 2018
    Vermillion and CarveMan like this.
  29. Vermillion

    Vermillion Pool Room Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2005
    Messages:
    71,128
    Likes Received:
    25,558
    Location:
    Cranhole, Melbourne, VIC
    Hoo Ha was a ****ing dog turd baked in the sun on a cow pat. The single redeeming feature was the circular fireplace, but in later years they were so ****ing tightass to put wood on it that it was always barely lukewarm. Everything else about the place was an actual tip. I reckon they'd be able to use the floor as some sort of pressure-sensitive superglue. The mix of resin from the timber, beer, sweat and puke from the patrons, over the course of about 30 years seems to have resulted in a substance with exceptional tack. For all I care they could bulldoze it and put a carpark or a playground there. Actually, they could move the rubbish dump to that site and it would make the site smell better than it did when the hoo ha was standing.

    It's hard to put into words how much of a shithole the hoo ha was. Perhaps i've been burnt too many times in there, chatting up 'babes' on the slopes only to see them without helmet, goggles and beanie on and realise they're uglier than me, that my dislike for the venue is so high.
     
    #29 Vermillion, Oct 9, 2018
    cqen2l and CarveMan like this.
  30. TOFF

    TOFF Im kind of a big deal Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2004
    Messages:
    43,562
    Likes Received:
    17,657
    Location:
    Somewhere between right and wrong
    Was dimly lit in there for exactly this reason.
     
    #30 TOFF, Oct 9, 2018
    Chaeron, mx_boarder and Vermillion like this.
  31. LiveToSki

    LiveToSki One of Us Ski Pass: Silver

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2001
    Messages:
    1,803
    Likes Received:
    497
    Location:
    Melbourne, Vic
    Gave you a chance...
     
    #31 LiveToSki, Oct 9, 2018
    mx_boarder and TOFF like this.
  32. TOFF

    TOFF Im kind of a big deal Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2004
    Messages:
    43,562
    Likes Received:
    17,657
    Location:
    Somewhere between right and wrong
    That and tons of alcohol
     
    #32 TOFF, Oct 9, 2018
    mx_boarder and LiveToSki like this.
  33. mx_boarder

    mx_boarder Habitual line stepper Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    May 31, 2005
    Messages:
    24,261
    Likes Received:
    2,265
    Location:
    Melb
    Happy hunting ground for TOFF back in the day.
     
    #33 mx_boarder, Oct 9, 2018
    TOFF likes this.
  34. mx_boarder

    mx_boarder Habitual line stepper Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    May 31, 2005
    Messages:
    24,261
    Likes Received:
    2,265
    Location:
    Melb
    True story

    But imagine what they were thinking...

    :eek:
     
    #34 mx_boarder, Oct 9, 2018
    Chaeron, di6loc and djam like this.
  35. Vermillion

    Vermillion Pool Room Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2005
    Messages:
    71,128
    Likes Received:
    25,558
    Location:
    Cranhole, Melbourne, VIC
    I kinda feel i'm a 'you know what you're gonna get' guy. Not many surprises, one way or the other. But shit, i'll be the first to admit i've been stooged at least once on the slopes.

    Could be worse, a mate of mine banged some chick early on one of the seasons he was up there, then stuck with her for the season because she was a hairdresser and he got free hair cuts. She was not great.
     
    #35 Vermillion, Oct 9, 2018
  36. di6loc

    di6loc One of Us

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2018
    Messages:
    3,000
    Likes Received:
    5,294
    Location:
    Consuming a legume nearest you
    Translation:

    I tried my guts out but didn’t pick up at Kooroora once.
     
    #36 di6loc, Oct 9, 2018
    Vermillion, cqen2l, xuěboarder and 6 others like this.
  37. CarveMan

    CarveMan Pool Room Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    May 12, 2000
    Messages:
    75,599
    Likes Received:
    39,760
    Location:
    Les Hautes Montagnes
    True. But it didn’t stop me from putting a couple of house deposits over the bar.
     
    #37 CarveMan, Oct 9, 2018
    TOFF, mx_boarder and di6loc like this.
  38. TOFF

    TOFF Im kind of a big deal Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2004
    Messages:
    43,562
    Likes Received:
    17,657
    Location:
    Somewhere between right and wrong
    Would have had to be one of the most profitable businesses on the hill during ski season. Packed every Friday and Saturday nights.
     
    #38 TOFF, Oct 9, 2018
    CarveMan likes this.
  39. miss_b_haven

    miss_b_haven One of Us

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2009
    Messages:
    3,545
    Likes Received:
    1,502
    Location:
    where she's a Heavenly body amidst Heavenly bodies
    Gosh, Verm, tell us how you really feel.

    This.

    Perhaps this required:

    [​IMG]
     
    #39 miss_b_haven, Oct 9, 2018
    di6loc and Tanuki like this.
  40. SkiMun

    SkiMun Part of the Furniture

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 1970
    Messages:
    17,605
    Likes Received:
    430
    Location:
    Melbourne
    Stayed at the YHA backpackers....once...:puke:
     
    #40 SkiMun, Oct 9, 2018
    The Plowking likes this.
  41. SkiMun

    SkiMun Part of the Furniture

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 1970
    Messages:
    17,605
    Likes Received:
    430
    Location:
    Melbourne
    :emoji_slot_machine:

    :out:
     
    #41 SkiMun, Oct 9, 2018
    di6loc likes this.
  42. CarveMan

    CarveMan Pool Room Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    May 12, 2000
    Messages:
    75,599
    Likes Received:
    39,760
    Location:
    Les Hautes Montagnes
    I had a ‘visit’ there after the Kooroora one night :out:
     
    #42 CarveMan, Oct 9, 2018
    Chaeron, SkiMun, di6loc and 1 other person like this.
  43. Vermillion

    Vermillion Pool Room Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2005
    Messages:
    71,128
    Likes Received:
    25,558
    Location:
    Cranhole, Melbourne, VIC
    You know I wish that was the case. I really really do.
     
    #43 Vermillion, Oct 10, 2018
    di6loc likes this.
  44. Vermillion

    Vermillion Pool Room Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2005
    Messages:
    71,128
    Likes Received:
    25,558
    Location:
    Cranhole, Melbourne, VIC
    I reckon I didnt spend that much there, as the lodge was so close and you would drink up before heading over and most of the time the beers I bought there were just to keep me going, not fill me up. Even the beer didnt taste 'right' there most of the time.
     
    #44 Vermillion, Oct 10, 2018
  45. di6loc

    di6loc One of Us

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2018
    Messages:
    3,000
    Likes Received:
    5,294
    Location:
    Consuming a legume nearest you
    It was just another pub. A bit special because it was "at the snow" amongst people with shared interests but really not unlike any other boozy joint full of boozy Aussie shenanigans.

    No offence intended but I recall you being a pretty shy kid when I first met you. It doesn't surprise me if you found it overwhelming.

    I man whored to ridiculous levels at Kooroora one season as a bet with another douchebag off here. It was good fun. Some of it I'm not proud of. There's lots I do and don't remember but I wouldn't trade any of it.

    "Gotta slay a few dragons before you find your princess/prince charming" and the Hoo Ha was a fun place to embark on that quest. :whistle:
     
    #45 di6loc, Oct 10, 2018
    CarveMan likes this.
  46. Vermillion

    Vermillion Pool Room Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2005
    Messages:
    71,128
    Likes Received:
    25,558
    Location:
    Cranhole, Melbourne, VIC
    Now you're taking it way too seriously.
     
    #46 Vermillion, Oct 10, 2018
    di6loc likes this.
  47. Hunter

    Hunter Part of the Furniture Endless Winter Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2000
    Messages:
    13,462
    Likes Received:
    532
    Location:
    goughs bay
    Every place with a soul needs a dive like this pub was, Buller will be less without it.
    Would be like taking the Corner Hotel out of Melb
     
    #47 Hunter, Oct 10, 2018
    The Plowking, Bogong and di6loc like this.
  48. mx_boarder

    mx_boarder Habitual line stepper Ski Pass: Gold

    Joined:
    May 31, 2005
    Messages:
    24,261
    Likes Received:
    2,265
    Location:
    Melb
    Buller needs a pub. Here’s hoping whatever goes in has at least a halfway ‘pub’ vibe about it.
     
    #48 mx_boarder, Oct 10, 2018
    The Plowking, TOFF and di6loc like this.
  49. di6loc

    di6loc One of Us

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2018
    Messages:
    3,000
    Likes Received:
    5,294
    Location:
    Consuming a legume nearest you
    Thanks. Much more succinct than my dribble.

    Or killing the Espy front bar.

    Oh wait ...
     
    #49 di6loc, Oct 10, 2018
    The Plowking and mx_boarder like this.
  50. jgm

    jgm Addicted

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2000
    Messages:
    766
    Likes Received:
    150
    Location:
    Geelong, Vic, Australia
    My favourite story is that a certain well known magnate who had an apartment nearby would get so pissed off with the noise emanating from the Hoo Ha in the wee small hours on a weekend, that he would go over there and pull their fuses.
     
    #50 jgm, Oct 10, 2018
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 3