Rotary Club of Frankston Sunrise for Fellowship and Service

Ian Smith - Smithy organized a weekend away at the Black Spur Hotel, Narbethong near Marysville. We felt we would try to do our little bit to help the very difficult economic conditions after the "Black Saturday" bush fires destroyed this area. The local economy relies heavily on tourism and the local communities are finding life tough as they try to rebuild.
Located just 90 minutes from Melbourne and nestled amidst magnificent mountain ranges the Black Spur Inn or Narbethong Hotel as some refer, has welcomed many visitors since it first open its doors as licensed hotel in 1863. Some of the many travelers who stopped at the Inn included hopeful prospectors wanting to make their fortune in the gold diggings of Enoch's Point, Woods Point and Jamieson.
Over the years the timber industry developed and has also played a predominate part in the history and growth of the area.
The Black Spur Inn has succumbed to two bushfires during its exciting history but managed to survive the great 1939 bushfire and acted as a refuge for the local community. History repeated itself once again on "Black Saturday" 7th February, 2009 when the Black Spur Inn was spared by the great firestorm that claimed many lives and destroyed large parts of the Murrindindi region. The Black Spur Hotel feels very honoured and privileged that they were able to assist the community post fires as a relief centre and will continue to assist where possible in the rebuilding of our wonderful region.