The Hamilton Spectator

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Serving the Hamilton and Surrounding Districts Since 1859

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Merino Booms

MERINO is back on the map.

Once hailed a ghost town, this quiet hamlet has evolved to become a hot spot for retirees and city slickers searching for tree change.

Every room was booked out at the town's pub at the weekend as it prepared to relaunch its historic cinema and served up cappuccinos in it's new cafe.

It's a bright new era for the sleepy town and locals think it's a sign of bigger things to come.

Publican Ian Whalley, who traded life in the city for Merino last year, believes there is no reason why the town won't keep growing because of it's solid infrastructure.

Merino booms as new residents buy up big.

 MERINO is laughing in the face of the financial recession, with more people than ever buying up big and moving to the town.

The small town of about 200 is bursting with newcomers who now call Merino home, with some travelling from as far as Algeria.

Affordable housing, a bunch of new facilities, new cafes and good school are among the town's golden eggs.

Retiree Carmen Bryant took the plunge and moved to Merino and she's not looking back.

"A lot of people think it's bizarre, but Merino is very, very pretty," she said.

"I used to live in Queensland, but I like the Victorian weather.  Especially the south-west weather sutis me, I went to Merino because I found the green hills absolutely beautiful."

Ms Bryant has lived all around Australia and moved to Merino about two years ago.

"I have been in Australia 25 years - I have lived in Sydney, Brisbane, country Queensland, northern Queensland and Merino is the best place to be," she said.

"I moved just over two years ago and I'm not lookoing back.  It's the best move I've made - it's absolutely gorgeous here, I feel like it's home.  It's very, very safe here.

Ms Bryant said the locals had been accepting af all the new people moving to the town.

"Usually the locals are usually apprehensive of newcomers, but it wasn't the case - they were really nice," she said.

"A lot of new people have been moving to Merino from Melbourne - it's a nice, pretty, safe environment and I'm very happy here."

Pam and Ian Moore have also recently moved from Sunbury five and a half years ago and found refuge in cheaper house prices.

"We moved because of the house prices and my husband grew up in Digby - we spotted the house and we liked it," Mrs Moore said.

"We love it.  We always wanted an old Victorian house - when we saw it we loved it.  It had a beautiful garden and everything that I wanted.

"Although we had to take a huge pay cut and the work is hard to get around here, we are getting by - I love it, its really picturesque."

Mrs Moore said next weekend she was opening a coffee shop in town and was looking toward a new business venture.

Town's charm irresistable

The historic drinking spot's old cinema was relaunched thanks to the pub's innovative owner Ian Whalley who found a handful of classic Australian movies hidden in the hotel.

The self confessed film buff said the cinema opening was part of a bright new era for the once ailing hotel which has also opened a cafe.

It's all part of a bright new future for Merino which only a few years ago was being dubbed a ghost town.

With cheap housing on offer handfuls of people are moving town, rejuvenating the once thiving community.

Mr Whalley was booked out at the weekend and with seats at the bar full most nights, the future is looking good.

"I'm from Blackburn.  I was doing work as a consultant strategic planner for the shire, we were doing a general report for town planning when I found this place.  Someone said there was a hotel with a cinema in it and I had to come and see it," he said.

Within minutes of seeing it last year, he was putting in an offer to buy it.

'I think htere is something about gravitating back to your roots.  Driving through here is so pretty.  It has so much potential.'

 Mr Whalley siad he was drawn to the town because of its picturesque setting and the friendly locals and the fact that he had relatives near at Mumbannar.

He said others just like him couldn't resist the town's charm.

"I reckon it's got a lot to do with the housing affordability too, that's the big thing.  At the turn of the century Merino had 1100 people, four hotels and two banks," he said.

"All the infrastructure is here and I think there is enough people to get things to spark up a bit.

"I think there is something about gravitating back to your roots.  Driving through here it's so pretty.  It has so much potential.  I'm a bit optimistic.  The first day I came here it just gave me a good feeling.  This pub is a lot of fun for me."

Mr Whalley is committed to creating local employment.  His new cafe is employing some local girls that arrive each day after school to make coffees and scones which is a hit with the locals.

This is on top of his full time chef who is assisted by an extra five local girls who work in the bistro.

"It's a fantastic town.  We have a lot of fun out here," he said.

Mre Whalley is in talks with the Australian Center of Moving Images achivist who are preparing to assessand improve the quality of his movies which he will use to put on a mystery film night in the coming weeks.

"There are big ones, little ones, all sorts of things.  They'll be great to watch," he said.