Getting barred from an Outback pub isn’t exactly uncommon. In fact, it’s often seen as a badge of honour.
But sometimes a bloke and his sheila really do take things too far and the publican has no option but to tell them to take a hike, mates.
The pair are behaving like Outback yobbos
Kevin and Carol’s behaviour really has been beyond the pale, though. They’ve been pooing on the carpets, taking food from other patrons without so much as a ‘thank you’ and even venturing into the sacred territory behind the bar.
Enough is enough, and Yaraka publicans Chris and Gerry Gimblett has now told the pair to kindly take their business elsewhere.
Which is a little tricky at Yaraka in remote south-east Queensland, because there are only 17 locals and one pub.
Pub and its customers are part of their turf
Kevin and Carol are emus who have lived at Yaraka since they hatched in 2018, and they clearly feel that the pub and its customers, whether locals or tourists, are part of their territory.
But hanging around outside and entertaining visitors is one thing. Climbing the front stairs up to the pub entrance – which nobody initially thought they’d be able to do – and making themselves at home inside is another.
Gerry recently took the time to explain their bad behaviour ban to the Guardian Australia newspaper.
Pooing and pinching is not on, say publicans
“They’ve been stealing things from the guests, especially their food. They’d stick their heads in and pinch toast out of the toaster,” Gimblett explained.
“But the main reason we’ve banned them is their droppings. They’re enormous, very large and very smelly. And they created great stains.”
To keep the big birds at bay, signs have been posted asking visitors to open the rope barrier across the doorway, enter, and then replace the rope before Kevin and Carol can take the gap.
Among the recent visitors to meet Kevin and Carol were a group of politicians on a visit to the area. Among them was Queensland senator, James McGrath, who posted a number of photos of the emus on social media.
Simple rope barrier has worked – so far
So far, the rope barrier has been effective, as the pair have not yet realised they can simply duck under it.
But Gerry concedes that sooner or later they will probably work it out. Then it will be time for a more cunning plan.
Or perhaps the errant pair can start buying a few rounds instead of freeloading. That may keep everyone happy.
But it will surely have to be tinnies of Emu Export brought in from WA. A bird has to stay loyal to its brand, after all.
