Lockington Hotel

Archibald Street, Lockington.
5486 2256

When? August 4, 2023.
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VENUE

This is a slightly different review today.

The Lockington Hotel is proof positive that when a community bands together, anything can be achieved.

Lockington, through Heathcote, Elmore , with  Rochester, Echuca to the East/Nth East, was destined to become a town without a pub.

Closed down, the old pub was in need of some TLC, but moreover someone to stump up and buy it. A clarion call to those in the town and beyond went out, to invest/buy shares and after some negotiation a sum of around $380,000 was raised and the transaction completed.

But that’s only the start. You get one chance to get it right and a further 250-300k was needed for work to the front (it’s your welcome mat that looked like a gravel pit previously), accommodation (brought up to speed  for workers harvesting wheat), dining room.  And so it goes. And so it goes.

Again locals bought in.

And so now, the first community pub in the area is up, running, and looks fabulous.

The outside is neatly manicured, grass laid, and 5 or so dining tables front the pub, which is set at an angle and looks  like a large white painted brick veneer from the AV Jennings catalogue of the 60s.

The small front bar is typical, but the blackboard to the side lists the week’s activities; Stone Baked Pizza, Happy Hour, Parmageddon and Meat tray. Congrats to Nathan who won it last week.

The dining room seats 40 and is brand new. The menu is a ripper, overly generous with some wonderful pub grub.  The rear of the pub hosts activities, with Mick Denigan, The Darwin whipcracker drawing 500 from the district there recently. . Think about it; Darwin to Lockington!

Local footy team, local netball team, community spirit and their thriving pub.

FOOD/DRINK

This is the honor roll of pub grub here. All kitchen-made by Simon, who looks like he can knock anything up. Duck Spring rolls (3/13) come with  a dark Kecap Manis dipper; Red Dragon Spring rolls are paired with a sharper sweet chili.

A massive jumble of calamari, complete with asian salad is another of the starters.

Let me go on record as saying the Steak Roll at the Lockington ($26) is as good as any I’ve tried over the journey. 200g of Scotch Fillet, cheese, bacon, egg, onion, tomato, chutney, chips. A glorious meal it was. Chef uses a coffee rub to enhance the flavour of the beef.

And while Gold Band Snapper (28) Flathead tails (27), highlight the seafood, the kitchen is happy to bang out some specials. Beef Brisket, Bacon, Mushroom Pie, fully encased, is $27 and you choose your sides. Top of the board was the Eye Fillet Mignon (300g), bacon wrapped, garlic butter, RWJ and again your choice of sides.

Wine on offer at the Lockington using locals. (Given so close to Heathcote and Tooleen there’s plenty of choice).  The Carriages Cab/merlot from Echuca was a good drop..

The average prices are;

• Entrees – $15
• Mains – $26
• Dessert – $regular changing

Tried was;

• Duck Spring Rolls/Red Dragon Vegetable Rolls ($13).
• Steak Roll, $26. All the trimmings and wonderful.

SUMMARY:

So here’s living proof of a community refusing to let a focus of any town, the pub, to shrivel away.  For sure, the nature of some smaller towns means it is inevitable, but in Lockington, they did something about it.

Everyone pulling in the right direction and now they have a real asset are kicking goals.

May these pubs continue to thrive. Lockington is a great example that anything can be achieved.

SCORE: N/A.