The chance to run a country pub in a small coastal community was an opportunity too good to pass by for one-time Mudgee residents, Cory and Linda Robertson.

Earlier this month the Robertsons took over Urunga’s popular Ocean View Hotel.

Although relatively new to the hotel industry, the couple has a strong background in sales and marketing, functions and catering.

Before his career change, Cory worked as a miner at Ulan’s open cut coal mine after a long stint with BHP as its national product manager for the rural division based in Mudgee and Newcastle.

But like many young people, he cut his teeth behind the bar, pulling beers and yarning with patrons in country pubs.

“It’s all about dealing with people, and we enjoy dealing with people,” Cory said about his move to the Ocean View Hotel.

The couple also has two young children, Mia (3), and Jaz (7) who began her first day at Urunga Primary School earlier this week.

The family is excited about their lifestyle move from the State’s Central West to the coast and the chance to become members of a small town.

He said being located close to Coffs Harbour with its great facilities was an added bonus.

“We have lived and worked in both small towns and big areas and we have always come back to the country.

“Our heart is in the country; we get involved with sports, schools and chambers.”

Cory said he was keen to reignite the hotel’s community spirit within Urunga, and introduce a family focus within the pub.

He maintained consistent customer service was one of the main keys to success, an aspect he intended to concentrate on.

And as keen sportspeople, both Cory and Linda plan to become involved in sporting activities.

“We are family and community orientated,” Cory said.

While the Robertsons have a number of changes on the drawing board, they plan to take the ‘softy softly’ approach.

These will be based on customer feedback, Cory said.

In the meantime, plans are underway to extend the hotel’s deck area and introduce additional tables and chairs.

Cory said his ultimate goal was to make the Ocean View Hotel a place where people want to go to, to unwind or relax with family and friends.

“We want to create an atmosphere where people want to drink at the Ocean View Hotel.

“Our focus will be on locals.”

The Ocean View Hotel has strong links with the Coffs Harbour Hotel, run by Marty and Donna Phillips and Ray Alaban.

Linda, who was a property manager for a local real estate company, will look after the hotel’s functions and catering, while Cory will assume the day-to-day managing.