The couple, who have poured their hearts and souls into the establishment, sold the freehold of the hotel in May to Wayne Lucas and Sharon Kelly, prominent members of the Coleambally community.
Originally hailing from South Australia, David brought a wealth of experience to the hotel industry when they took over the Morundah Hotel 26 years ago. David’s connection to hotels started at an early age, working in family-owned establishments in Adelaide since he was just 8 years old. Meanwhile, Suzi, hailing from Narrandera began her journey in the industry at the age of 18.
Their paths crossed in Narrandera, where David had found work after an illustrious career in the Royal Australian Airforce. He took up a chef’s position at a local restaurant, while Suzi managed operations at the Narrandera bowling club. Fate played its part, and their shared love for the hospitality industry brought them together. Eventually, they made the decision to invest in the Morundah Hotel, driven in part by Suzi’s family ties to the village.
“We had a five-year plan, but plans don’t necessarily turn out the way you think,” David said.
Dave and Suzi extended the hotel and built a 70-seat restaurant, extended the bar and renovated the hotel as it had been run down over past years. With Dave a qualified chef and Suzi running the bar it wasn’t long until they got busy specialising in seafood nights, buffets and ala carte meals for locals and travellers alike.
Their reputation grew and a successful business was created.
Morundah hotel was famous for its cuisine and extended the offering to a Sunday hot bake making and selling on average 500 pies every Sunday with fresh bread, rolls, cakes and pastries being very popular.
We regularly had people from Corowa, Griffith, Leeton, Jerilderie, Narrandera and everywhere in between come for a Sunday drive to buy our produce, have a cold beer and a hot fresh pie,” David said.
After 45 years as a professional chef, Dave is retiring from hospitality and after a month off will look for a new career with Suzi doing the same.
“It will be good to have a break after working seven days a week for so long, but we are too young to retire so we will see what the next chapter brings,” he said.
“I can spend a bit more time on my university studies and serving the community as a councillor on Federation Council.”
Dave and Suzi will continue to live in the village of Morundah where they own a house and property where they run Black Angus cattle and also operate an agricultural chemical and agricultural supply business.
They have two adult children with Hannah working for DPIE in Wagga and Max working in the Victorian snowfields.
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