About Darkan Hotel
Community Project
In 2022, the Darkan Community came together to buy the closed Darkan Hotel with a vision to reinvigorate the once thriving community hub. Community interest was so great that over $760,000 was raised to begin this venture, with significant volunteer time devoted to the renovation project and further community investment over the course of this project. Re-opened in September 2024, the business now provides a family-friendly hospitality venue, creating a meeting place for the community and a strong tourism drawcard to bolster the local economy.
Our priority has been restoring the heritage features of the pub and make an inviting indoor space with feature fireplace, alfresco beer garden and plenty of open grassed area for the games & children to run.
The Company has elected board members and the board is responsible for the operational management of the pub, with 43 financial investors in total. Management of day-to-day operations will be undertaken by managers initially, and may be leased at a later date.
Meet Our Team
Our current manager is Neralie Middleton. Neralie comes to us with an absolute wealth of knowledge and experience in running businesses and is no stranger to regional living. She was born and raised on a farm in the Adelaide hills. Neralie is a single woman with an adult daughter. Her working career includes hospitality management from a young age to owning and operating her own businesses including a mitre 10 store and a 7 day supermarket.
She has spent the past four years in the Kimberley running a remote roadhouse. When not working Neralie’s passions are working on her physical and mental health, cooking, reading and enjoying a wine with friends.
Board members: Steven Hulse, James Campbell, Karen Harrington, Janelle South, Jeremy King, Helen Lubcke, Ryan Wilkie