General News
2 July, 2025
A year of cheers at Henry's
Kaniva’s historic Club Hotel marked its first birthday on June 17, with a relaxed gathering that reflects the significant progress the pub and the town have made in just a year.
After a turbulent period of ownership, the pub reopened its doors in June 2024 under the new trading name of Henry’s Club Hotel, with locals Steve and Michelle Martin at the helm.
The pub offers everything from classic counter lunches and meals to Friday night meat raffles and mid-week 8-ball matches.
The owners say one of their proudest achievements so far is the new worker accommodation.
The rooms are designed to help alleviate the housing shortage for seasonal and temporary workers in Kaniva, offering a clean and comfortable place to stay, away from the noise of the highway.
“It’s something we saw a real need for, and we’re glad to be in a position to offer it,” Ms Martin said.
“It’s not just about running a pub, it’s about contributing to the town and helping solve practical problems.”
Over the past 12 months, Henry’s Club Hotel has re-established itself as a friendly meeting place, where regulars share a drink, travellers stop to rest, and even four-legged friends are welcome.
With Henry, the couple’s lovable Old English Sheepdog, keeping watch by the door, the pub is a pet-friendly space.
The birthday itself was a casual affair, with a strong turnout of regulars.
The beer garden still features the striking mural created during the 2019 Selling Houses Australia renovation.
That moment on national television is often remembered fondly, but the real transformation has happened quietly, week by week, since the pub reopened last year.
Behind the hotel was the house, which is now fitted with new carpet, split systems, a communal kitchen and lounge, as well as shared laundry and bathroom facilities, serving as worker accommodation.
“The support we’ve had from the community has been amazing,” Mr Martin said.
“When I first came to town in 2017, I thought it would be temporary, but the welcome we’ve received made it feel like home.
“That’s why we bought the pub. And we’re still here.”
Looking ahead, the couple have more plans in store, with further upgrades to the venue on the horizon.
The couple has a beautiful message for the Kaniva community.
“Thanks for sticking with us,” they said.
“We’re proud to be here, and we hope to keep giving people a reason to get together, whether it’s for a cold drink, a good meal, or just a yarn in the front bar.”