Rod Franklin

Hi Rod, please tell us a bit about your early life and your connection to Wauchope.

I was born and schooled in Narrabri and learnt cellar operations at 14 working in the Tattersalls Hotel under Ron Leeson. Rugby league is one of my great loves in life and I originally played for Narrabri before being lured east to play for Nambucca. I worked at the Golden Sands, then later at the Nambucca Leagues Club, which incidentally just burned down in late January, which is really sad to see.

From there Graham Buckley, who was Wauchope’s coach, approached me to play for the Blues, which I did from 1994 to 1997. After a couple of years away in Mullumbimby and Junee, I came back to the area and the Blues around the year 2000. It was then I was offered the role of licensee at the Hastings Hotel, which I proudly did for 8 years.

Now I’m a sales rep for Brown Forman, who deal in premium spirits - the main being Jack Daniels. I service a large area from Illuka in the north to Karuah in the south and Tamworth in the west, so I get to meet with people from all walks of life, which I really enjoy.

Have you got any stories about the hotel from your time behind the bar?

Well, for starters, the layout was very different back then with the current restaurant location a grassy outside area with a pool! I was working when the last of the timber sleeper cutters were around and those guys got very thirsty! I’ll never forget not being able to see the floor for all the yellow envelopes. Explanation for the younger generation - they all got paid in cash and it was given in those yellow envelopes!

If you could share one piece of advice or a message with the Hastings Hotel, what would it be?

Always be hospitable and polite because that’s what the customer will remember ahead of anything else.

What was the atmosphere like in the pub and how has it changed over the years?

The atmosphere was, and still is great because everyone knows each other, and they come together for a chat and a laugh. Sporting clubs come to celebrate wins or forget losses and also hold community raffles which generates much-needed funds for them.

The Wauchope community is growing, as is the cost of living, but at the Hastings people can come to enjoy the food or watch sport or just have a chin wag, and with the newly renovated bar you can do so in luxury.

What’s your involvement in the Wauchope community these days?

I have been involved with the Wauchope Blues for my whole time here and also as a sales rep I generally help sporting groups or charities with prizes regularly. I think it’s important to give back to the community whenever you can.

And lastly, what’s the best thing about Wauchope?

The best part about Wauchope is its people. The friendliness and outgoing nature of the community makes it a great place to live and an incredible place to visit. Just love that as well!

~ Article and images courtesy Focus Magazine