Actor and comedian Shane Jacobson knew that preserving the country charm of the Dederang Hotel in rural Victoria would be essential when he decided to purchase the establishment. Any modifications had to be made thoughtfully, with the local community in mind. Balancing tradition with progress has presented its own set of challenges.
"We've tried to keep one foot in the past and one in the future," Jacobson told 7NEWS.com.au. "Our motto in the end was, 'Change nothing, improve everything.'"
While the venue required practical upgrades, conversations with locals ultimately shaped the most meaningful changes, particularly for women who frequented the pub. One discussion sparked a surprisingly impactful renovation: moving the male toilets so women at the bar would not have to see men using the urinals. Jacobson learned that some women avoided the hotel bathrooms altogether, waiting until they got home. This feedback led to upgraded women's bathrooms and the addition of booth seating for women and families.
Jacobson, star of Kenny, said they focused on subtle improvements that enhanced the experience without stripping away the pub's identity. "We learnt that we had to change some things, without ultimately changing the pub," he said.
The venue had been owned by the previous publican for 30 years and was deeply woven into the local community, hosting weddings, wakes, and sponsoring sporting clubs. "Everything comes back to the pub," Jacobson said.
Jacobson and his friend, Australian producer and director Dean Murphy, are documenting the journey in the series Oops! I Bought A Pub. The show follows everything from the email that sparked the idea to the realities of running the iconic country venue. Murphy first suggested the idea, casually slipping it into the bottom of a work email. While Jacobson lived over three hours away, Murphy grew up in the Kiewa Valley, where the Dederang Hotel is located, and understood its importance to the community.
When Jacobson first announced the takeover at a local race meet, he was nervous about how locals would react but said his recognisable face helped ease concerns and win over the crowd. Keeping the pub thriving for locals became a major motivator, especially in a farming community like Dederang.
"There were so many things that we had to improve, but so many things we had to sort of not do too much to," Jacobson said. "And, you know, we think we got the mix right. We had to make sure we kept its old country charm."
Oops! I Bought A Pub airs Saturdays at 8pm on Seven and 7plus.
