Narrabri’s newest woman publican embraces country hospitality

Sarah Noller is the new friendly face behind the taps at the Tattersalls Hotel, and you won’t miss her name on the door either: it’s under ‘Licensee’.

When 27-year-old Sarah learned about the opportunity to move to Narrabri and manage her own pub, the Sydney slicker didn’t shy away from the challenge.

Unbeknownst to her, this first stint as manager would claim her the title of one-of-two female licensees in Narrabri.

Arriving on a gust that carried her from Sydney to the big open country, she feels like her journey as a 21-year-old starting in hospitality to accomplishing her dream of managing a country pub was a bit of a whirlwind.

“I had mentioned that I was interested in trying a regional pub and our operations manager said there was a job available in the small town of Narrabri, I had an interview and that was that,” said Sarah.

In a matter of weeks, she, her partner, and Nyla the now pub-dog-in-residence were on the move.

Being the only female isn’t a new concept for Sarah, who experienced first-hand the struggle of trying to break into the male-dominated field of hospitality management.

When she took on a second-incharge position with her current hospitality group she didn’t expect female management opportunities to present themselves so readily.

“It all started with a Females in Management course that I couldn’t believe a hospitality company was offering.

“Hospitality management has always been a boys’ club.

“I’ve always had ambitions to run a pub but it’s hard to break into those management roles and be given a chance.

“It was surprising to go from a place where I was told that I will never be a manager, to a place that saw my gender as a plus and wanted to train me to do this job.”

With 20 other women, Sarah was elected for the program and received access to female mentors, networking opportunities, and management resources.

“I was second-in-charge at Greenacre Hotel at the time and the program gave me a lot of confidence and taught me what I had the capability to achieve as a manager,” said Ms Noller.

Moving to the country, Sarah thought the biggest challenge she would encounter was the ‘culture shock’, but instead found herself confronted with a staffing shortage, just as many industries face in regional areas.

“The hardest part of coming out here has been the staffing issues, I understand why hospitality suffered through COVID, but I’m surprised that it hasn’t bounced back yet.

“Normally it’s girls who come in asking for jobs, we currently have three male employees and seven of us girls.

For Sarah, the move has inevitably been the right one, encompassing all aspects of the job she loves, especially the country hospitality and community spirit that Narrabri displays so well.

“Pubs are the heart of the community, they are where people gather, and in a small town where everything is spread apart, they are the place away from home that people go to feel connected.

“I love Narrabri so far – I already feel like I’m such a big part of the community.

“I loved the Narrabri Show, I’ve been to the trots, there is a very sporty and supportive atmosphere here.

“Everyone is proud of everyone, everyone wants to succeed, we get a lot of community support, and multiple regulars and pubs in town have generously offered their time and support.”

Sarah’s regional work has her feeling content with a permanent transition to country pub management, and she reckons that if anything, she’ll only end up going yonder for the challenge of running a bigger pub.

“I used to drive 40 minutes to one hour every day just to go a few blocks in the city with insane traffic, whereas you drive that far out here, it’s beautiful and you’re in another town.

“Maybe people in the city aren’t exposed to opportunities in the country, the mentality around seeking out regional opportunities is different, but now that I’m out here I don’t think I’d ever go back.

“This suits me to a tee.”