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When Nicole Newman bought a country pub in 2016 she "couldn't even pour a beer".
"That's how educated I was," the former fuel trucking industry worker said.
But together with partner Rob Johnston, the pair have today opened their third pub in regional Queensland — and it's one that comes with a troubled history.
The Dululu Hotel, about 130km west of Gladstone, was gutted by fire in 2015 and has been closed ever since.
The historic hotel, which was moved to the Dululu site from Mount Morgan in 1935, was a mess.
The Dululu Hotel building used to be a boarding house in Mount Morgan in 1910. (Supplied: Public Archives)
"How it was still standing, I'm not entirely sure," Ms Newman said.
"It was pretty shabby."
Mr Johnston looked past the dilapidation and came up with a vision to bring it back to life, and even better.
Over the past 18 months tradies have worked tirelessly, stripping the old Queenslander timber building back to its bare bones.
The Dululu Hotel was closed for nine years after a fire in 2015. (Supplied)
While it was a big job, they stuck to their vision and kept going.
"We want it to be something that everyone in this area is proud of," Ms Newman said.
"We want it to be something that they go out of their way to come and see because it is unique."
The Dululu Hotel's new front doors are built from old railway sleepers. (ABC Capricornia: Vanessa Jarrett)
Connection of people and places
The pub reopening has created a buzz in the Dululu township, with a population of just 97 people.
"We had someone the other day and she was standing out the front… she was crying, she was that excited that the pub was going to be open again," Ms Newman said.
"There is an emotional connection that people slowly build up over time, and that's what we want to embrace again… that connection of people and places."
Dululu is located on the crossroads of the Burnett and Leichhardt highways, with many small towns in the area, an hour's drive from the city of Rockhampton.
Pub neighbour and local to the area of 50 years, Carol Haigh, said since the closure of the pub these small towns had become disconnected.
Carol Haigh says the pub's reopening has been the talk of the town. (ABC Capricornia: Vanessa Jarrett)
"[There's] just so many people in the outlying areas that we don't see anymore because there's nowhere for people to come to," Ms Haigh said.
"The community becomes very disjointed because there is actually nowhere for anyone to meet."
The heart of country communities
Despite having their hands full with the Dululu Hotel rebuild, and the Banana Hotel Motel, which was their first venture purchased in 2016, the couple purchased another hotel, at Theodore, a couple of months ago.
Hotel Theodore is the third hotel for the Dawson Hospitality Group. (ABC Rural: Megan Hughes)
For years, Hotel Theodore had been the last Queensland pub to be owned by a community cooperative.
From trivia nights, to big family celebrations it was the heart of the town for locals.
It went into voluntary administration in 2023 following financial struggles and was placed on the market a few months later.
Ms Newman said they didn't want to see it close in the community.
Long time local Keith Shoecraft said that it's early days, but so far, so good.
"We can get lunch and dinner," he said.
And arguably the most important of all: "Cold beer."
Creating a safe space
Despite the hard work it can be, Ms Newman remains positive about the hospitality industry and hasn't looked back.
All of their pubs are the only ones in their small towns.
"It's the meeting place, it's everything for a country town like this," Ms Newman said.
"It's the mental health zone.
"You're helping create those memories, facilitating people's positive memories."
Nicole Newman and Rob Johnston took over the Banana Hotel Motel in 2016. (Facebook: Banana Hotel Motel)
Reflecting on how they make it work, Ms Newman said you have to have a lot of patience and energy.
"And don't overthink it," she said.
"I think if you planned everything you did in hospitality, you'd never do it."