Hebel - Tiny Town, BIG Personality!
At a T-intersection on the Castlereagh Highway about 65 kilometres south-west of Dirranbandi, Queensland sits a tiny border town called Hebel.
It’s a blink-and-you-miss-it kind of town supporting a district population of about 70 and featuring a handful of buildings; including church, convenience store (come-service-station, come-post-office) and historic pub - originally opened in 1894 as a Cobb & Co changing station.
Hebel has suffered more than most in recent times following blow after blow of seven years of drought, compulsory water buy-backs and finally a world-wide pandemic which saw borders slammed shut and the town’s life-blood of tourist dollars run dry overnight.
And for 12-months the doors to the pub and convenience store remained closed...
Local grazier and businessman Frank Deshon described how hurt the town was when Southern Queensland Landscapes visited recently.
“For a town like Hebel, the pub is its hub and the barometer of the community. It’s a meeting place where people can share a few stories and laughs and with the pub closed for 12 months Hebel was really hurting,” Frank Deshon said.
“We employ quite a few locals and everyone gets down in the dumps when there’s nowhere to take the missus for dinner,” Frank said.
So in March 2021 Frank bought the pub and convenience store, reinstated publican Mervin Pullen and partner Kim and just three weeks ago the first XXXX Gold was pulled from tap.
“Yeah, the beer on tap was a long time coming! I am very proud to be part of the Hebel town, it’s just a beautiful place and home is home isn’t it,” Frank said.
“Hebel is the gateway to Queensland from the Castlereagh Highway and the Cobb & Co staging post is very iconic so while the doors remained closed the buildings were just going to deteriorate. Now they’re being used and looked after again,” he said.
Hebel is home to an elderly population, many who are still living and working on farm. So once a week Frank and the team at the pub supply a cooked meal delivered to the door.
“They’ve been here for countless years and they all still contribute and are a really important part of the community. So we also began running a raffle at the pub on a Friday night, proceeds of which go to providing our elderly neighbours a second meal each week delivered to their door so we can check on ‘em,” Frank said.
They’ve got big plans for Hebel including a caravan park for travellers to Lightening Ridge and the opals. And as SQ Landscapes rolled out of town a convoy of caravans and motorbikes pulled up across the road from the iconic pub - cameras out, people stretching and taking photos.
So if you find yourself in the area, swing by Hebel and say g’day to Frank and Mervin and spend some money at the pub or convenience store - because you’re not just buying a beer or putting some fuel in your car; you’re ensuring a tiny town with a big personality flourishes!
The historic Hebel Hotel originally opened in 1894 as a Cobb & Co changing station.
Hebel Hotel Publican Mervin Pullen is pictured on the verandah of the pub with partner Kim.
ABC Journalist Belinda Sanders recently visited Hebel Hotel and is pictured taking a photo of publican Mervin Pullen and owner Frank Deshon.
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