Gavin Gillin is a navy veteran and the owner and distiller of Hold Fast Distillery. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Braidwood’s Gavin Gillin is a real history lover. So he was especially excited when another local history enthusiast, Christine Ellis, uncovered something about his very own pub, Trooper’s Rest. Christine unearthed a replica of the venue’s original licence, which was issued in 1845 to The Dog and Style, a pub that first operated in Queanbeyan before the owner upped sticks to Braidwood.
“I think it’s nice to celebrate the history of something. And what do you celebrate: the title deed or the first stone laid? For us, the first official register is the licence approval, and also not just being a licensed restaurant but also a licensed distillery, we wanted to emphasise that,” Gavin told Region.
“The licence is important because it shows us that we’re the oldest continuing operating venue in Braidwood, although there are some newspaper articles which speak about [the original owner] being in trouble for selling alcohol without a licence!”
Making the discovery so close to the November anniversary of the venue seemed like a sign that they should celebrate! Gavin also owns and operates Hold Fast Distillery from the site, and he has distilled a special, limited-edition gin in honour of Trooper’s Rest’s 180th anniversary.
Braidwood’s iconic Trooper’s Rest dates back to the early 1840s. Photo: Supplied.
The Trooper’s Rest gin was inspired by the Braidwood landscape and fresh mountain air, and includes locally sourced botanicals such as native mountain pepper, which grows near the escarpment and Great Dividing Range. In future years, he’ll be planting juniper bushes, yuzu trees and sloe berry bushes for access to more local botanicals. The gin will also include native strawberry gum, wattle seed and finger lime.
Trooper’s Rest was named in honour of the many police troopers who frequented the pub in the gold rush era of Braidwood. Situated next to the original police station, and just across from where the troopers’ horses grazed in the paddock, the building has a long and storied history.
From 1865 to 1885, a heavily armed coach – known as the Golden Times Coach – departed from the venue to collect from the goldfields in Araluen and Major’s Creek, before carrying the valuables to Goulburn and Queanbeyan.
“There’s a little road between Araluen and Major’s Creek which now has a point called Clarke’s Lookout: that’s where the Clarke Brothers bushrangers would wait for the coach,” Gavin said.
“The coach would leave from Trooper’s Rest, and they’d have police troopers on board as hired security.”
Trooper’s Rest features historic convict-made brick fireplaces. Photo: Supplied.
To celebrate the anniversary, Gavin is throwing open the doors of this historic pub to the local community to make some new stories. On 15 November, guests can enjoy an all-day menu highlighting Trooper’s Rest’s philosophy of locally sourced, seasonal produce.
Live music in the evening will feature acclaimed roots rock and Euro-folk band Mikelangelo and the Long Lost Friends, and Jakob Poyner, a 2023 Australian Idol top-50 finalist.
And of course, tastings and sales of the Trooper’s Rest Gin will be available at the venue on the day. The limited-edition run will have 180 bottles, and Gavin said he would make a new anniversary gin each year with an extra bottle available as Trooper’s Rest grew another year older.
Celebrate the milestone with Trooper’s Rest Gin. Photo: Supplied.
Find out more about Trooper’s Rest and the upcoming anniversary celebrations.
Follow Trooper’s Rest on Facebook or Instagram, and learn more about Hold Fast Distillery.
