The Delegate Hotel will farewell publican Graeme Payten after 37 years of trading when he hands the hotel over to new owners this weekend. Mr Payten and his partner are retiring and moving to Pambula.
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“It’s going to be sad to leave but we are moving on to another chapter in our lives,” he said.
Mr Payten was born in Nimmitabel and is no stranger to hotel management as his parents Abbie and Joyce Payten ran the Nimmitabel Hotel for 40 years with the hotel in the family for 60 years.
He left Nimmitabel and moved to Canberra where he lived for six years before the Delegate Hotel came on the market.
Mr Payten said he had visited Delegate and knew about the hotel and decided he would take it over and for the last 37 years he has been the publican. During that time there have been many changes.
“I put in a games room and built a two bedroom apartment attached to the hotel. I also opened up the ladies parlour so the women could see what was happening in the bar,” he said.
As a farewell to Delegate Mr Payten said big celebrations were planned at the hotel this weekend with the Poddy Dodgers playing on Saturday night and Mumbo Jumbo entertaining on Sunday.
“It will be standing room only on Saturday night,” Mr Payten said.
Mr Payten said that he would like to thank the community for all their support over the years.
“The community have been wonderful since I’ve been here and I’m sure the new owners will continue to run a good business and I hope the community supports them as much as they have me,” he said.
“I’ve made a lot of good friends and I’ll definitely be back to visit,” he said.
Eight years ago along with his patrons, Mr Payten formed Delegate Sunday Sips which has raised and given back $40,000 to the local community.
Sunday Sipper, Robyn Mikula said, Graeme has been involved, supported and sponsored many local groups including bush races, Delegate Bombala United rugby league, Blue Tongues union, Delegate and Bombala Cricket clubs, Delegate Tennis Club, Bombala and Dstrict racing club, the current rugby league teams Bombala, rugby league for men and ladies league tag and schools.
“Over the years Graeme has employed many people from his community,” Ms Mikula said.
“He will be missed by the Delegate community as will his family.
“He is a friend to many and we wish him all the best.
“We would also like to welcome the new owners,” Ms Mikula said.
