Goodwill filled Balldale Hotel as much as patrons on Saturday when the refurbished pub marked the end of its eight-year closure.
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The crowded bar and beer garden, along with the cars lining Railway Street, pointed to a community keen to inspect the work put in by the new owners, brothers Glenn and Leigh Booth and their partners Michele Booth and Jo Monger.
After some formalities at noon, customers lined the bar, started games in the pool room, looked at the sporting and community photos on the wall and talked, just as they had since the hotel's original opening in 1905.
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The first schooner on tap went to Corowa Apex Club friends Derek Brown, Greg Dickins and Jamie Warner, who joined together to win the auction for the privilege, with proceeds supporting the Royal Children's Hospital.
From an opening bid of $100, the auction moved briskly up to the trio's successful $2000 bid.
"We organised it just now," Mr Dickins said.
"But I didn't know anything about it," Mr Brown added with a laugh.
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Mr Brown, who owns property in Balldale, applauded the hotel's renewal.
"I lived out here ages ago, I remember the old man bringing me out here and having a beer, it's bloody good," he said.
"Good for the farmers, especially with the times they're having at the moment, so at least they get somewhere to sit down, talk and get together."
That meeting place sentiment was echoed by several of the guests, who included Federation mayor Pat Bourke, councillor Fred Longmire, Farrer MP Sussan Ley and Albury MP Justin Clancy.
Balldale's Mick Seymour, 79, and Don Anderson, 77, now of Albury, enjoyed returning to an establishment they'd known well.
"it was a sad day when it closed," Mr Seymour said.
"In 1946 when I started school, there were 13 shops here.
"I go past here every day, I think I'll call in most days.
"I think it's wonderful, I wish them all the best and hope they do well."
As patrons sampled Balldale Hotel's Kick Off Ale, brewed specially for the occasion, the political guests praised the new owners' investment in the community, describing it as a platform to build tourism and draw people together.
"We've got a tough summer ahead," Mr Clancy said.
"It doesn't matter if it's the RFS or your local footy club or the pub, you need a place where people can feel welcome and feel that they can be able to spend time with one another and look after each other."