ABOVE: Commercial Hotel publican Marnie Macdonald.
Susanna Freymark
Marnie Macdonald has four children. She know what it’s like to be out with the family at a pub.
As the publican of the Commercial Hotel in Casino for the past year, Marnie is making the pub more family friendly.
It’s as simple as putting out plastic tubs filled with board games such as chess, Snake and Ladders and more.
There’s a table tennis in the beer garden as well.
“People don’t just come to the pub to drink,” Marnie said.
“We’re part of the community and want to cater to all types.”
The Commercial doesn’t have pokies like many of the other pubs, Marnie said.
It isn’t only the games for children (and adults), and the puppacinos for the dogs.
Marnie is inviting not-for-profit groups to run a barbecue once a month at a live music event.
“We were approached by Shannon Beaumont to host a Blues Jam (open mic) every third Sunday of the month,” Marnie said.
“As we do not usually open on Sundays and need to give our chefs time off, we are not intending to operate our kitchen on Sunday.
“So, I opened it up to charities, sports and community groups to host a barbecue in our garden – the model is similar to Bunnings barbecues where the group supplies and cooks the food and the takings are theirs for fundraising purposes. We will operate our bar.”
Any community or sports groups who have their own barbie set-up can contact Marnie and go on the list to cater at the pub and raise money for their group.
Contact Marnie on email marnie@commercialhc.com.au
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