Outback pub runs 'dry' after wet weather
Thursday Nov 3 12:09 AEST
Idle harvest workers impeded by heavy rainfall have almost drunk an outback Queensland hotel's supply of beer and rum dry.
The population of Nindigully, 600km west of Brisbane, has surged from nine to 200 people this week as rainfall of more than 100mm in the border region hampers work on its grain harvest.
Nindigully Pub owner Steve Burns said he had ordered extra supplies to cater to the stampede of thirsty plant operators, truckies and locals.
However, Mr Burns said he feared the hotel's beer and rum would dry up before the much-needed supplies arrived.
"We ordered early Monday morning but ... normally it takes five days for us to get a truckload," Mr Burns told ABC radio.
"I ordered ... pretty close to a semi-trailer load - 12 tonnes of beer and spirits to replace what they drank."
He said the region would be in "all sorts of trouble" if extra grog didn't arrive by Friday.
"Truckies get a bit toey if they can't get a take-away carton to sit down on the river and have a beer," Mr Burns said.
"I think they will get pretty stressed if we run out so ... if it rains tonight, which it's actually looking a bit overcast again ... if it rains again we're in trouble."
He said pub-goers also had to accept that the beer would take at least 24 hours to chill after it arrived.
Nindigully Pub is one of Queensland's oldest hotels, located in its original condition and position on the banks of the Moonie River.
Home to about 50 people and 15 houses in the early 1900s, Nindigully now features only two houses, the pub, an old general store and a town hall.
©AAP 2005
