There to reminisce and share about the history of the building and the operation of the business, was previous owner of 35 years Don Phillips.
From the time his father took over the business during the war in 1944, to their final days operating the hotel in 1979 — Mr Phillips spoke about the ins and outs of business at the hotel before exploring the building and its hidden history that lives on today.
Although story after story was told, Mr Phillips said conveying to the visitors just how times had changed was almost impossible.
‘‘It’s so hard to explain the difference between how things were then to how they are now,’’ Mr Phillips said.
He said from the changes in the many aspects of business during the decades; including procedures, liquor laws, trading hours, beer and food ranges, employees and wages, to the changes in the building itself through extensions and upgrades — there was all to much to tell.
But Mr Phillips did his best in taking those in attendance back to 1944, where it all began.
Shepparton’s George Coad said he was thrilled to have the opportunity to learn more about the hotel and the part it had played in Shepparton for so many years.
‘‘To know the history of an iconic hotel like this is very good and to know that one of the previous owners is still going and telling us all about his time here — it was just great,’’ Mr Coad said. ‘‘I found it very interesting.’’
The Aussie Hotel historic tour was ran as part of the Shepparton Heritage Open Days, which ran from Friday to Saturday.
During the two days more than 50 different places of significant historic and heritage value were opened up across the district for visitors to learn about the history behind buildings and businesses.