Written by Peter Wilmoth.
THE Woodpecker Bar and Grill in Burpengary has for many years been a much-loved venue for get-togethers, family meals, football club raffles and a regular after-work drop-in for local tradies.
And it’s time to reflect on the Woodpecker’s history, both recent and long-past, as this year the Woodpecker celebrates its 25th year.
The Woodpecker Bar and Grill was built in early 1999 in the theme of a bush pub. This was achieved in a way that means the Bar and Grill has stewardship over some priceless Brisbane history.
The historic Brett’s Wharf, a commercial ship’s docking point and later a ferry terminal on the northern end of the Brisbane River, was constructed in 1929. The wharf stored large quantities of general cargo including wool and timber.
Brett’s Wharf finally closed to commercial shipping in 1993 when demolition of the wharf began. With the plan to style the new Woodpecker Bar and Grill with a bush theme, the owners bought hardwood from the demolition to use as posts and beams for the Woodpecker.
They are still there today, along with the large old nuts and bolts that once held the wharf together. Today they are still in service, holding up some corrugated iron indoor roofing and a corrugated iron water tank.
The owners also brought old farm pumps from farms in Toowoomba to add to the “bush” effect.
The timber from the old wharf and the farm machinery
brought some priceless Queensland history to the Woodpecker and 25 years after they became part of the pub the charming “bush” atmosphere remains strong.
But the backstory of The Woodpecker – or the land it was built on – goes back much further. The Woodpecker is situated on land originally selected by Mr George Harris Senior in 1873 – “portion 59 County of Stanley, Parish of Caboolture”.
Harris had emigrated to Queensland from Bedfordshire, England, and farmed in the area. The land on which the Woodpecker now stands would have been used for farming and George Harris sold timber from his land after having cleared it for agriculture.
Harris placed an advertisement in the Moreton Mail on 25 September 1886 calling for help in moving timber off his property. “Wanted: Haulers for hardwood. Distance to draw 4 and a half miles. Apply at the Mr George Harris’s Paddock, Upper Caboolture-road, Burpengary Creek.”
The land was transferred to his son George Harris Junior. The paperwork shows that the lease for Harris Junior was prepared on the 10 March 1873, and the younger Harris obtained his Title to the land on 27 June 1882.
The land was later sold to James Auld in 1887 for 500 pounds which ended the Harris’s association with the land.
But George Harris remained actively involved in the area in the late 1800s. The Moreton Mail on 8 April 1896 reported that the Burpengary Farmers’ Association “held its monthly meeting on Saturday last” at which “Mr Harris read a paper on ‘The Storage of Grain, the destruction of the Wevil by heating process and the special uses of the Cultivation Harrow”.
Fast forward to a little more than 100 years later when Rob Kerridge was The Woodpecker’s venue manager for four years.
We asked Rob for his memories of those early days at The Woodpecker.
Rob says the Woodpecker became an icon in the area. “It was on the edge of town initially, a far way out, but suburbia caught up with it,” Rob says.
The bush theme was a hit from the start.
“They put a tank high up in the main room and built a windmill,” remembers Rob. “The air from the con system would blow spin the windmill around.”
The Woodpecker quickly became a local favourite. “People would come from everywhere to go there,” Rob says. “Lots of people who had five-acre blocks would come in, tradies after work, families. The local footy team the Burpengary Jets would come in and often hold raffles.”
Rob has a strong memory of a New Year’s Eve party in 1999 waiting for the new millenium to arrive. “We were waiting for our computers to break down because of the Y2K bug, and we had pens and paper ready to go if the computers stopped,” he says. “But nothing happened, and everyone partied on.”
The Woodpecker Bar and Grill became an icon of the area, giving a warm welcome to everyone. Rob remembers several regulars. “One bloke lived in a nearby mountain range and he would drive 10 kilometres to come in every day.”
Tracey Lakin spent 10 years as the Woodpecker’s venue manager and is now assistant venue manager. “Our bistro has a classic pub menu, and we’re known for our schnitzel and three different parmies,” Tracey says. “It’s a really good crew in the kitchen. I’ve got regulars who tell me ours are the best parmies and schnitzels.”
The Woodpecker has long been a favourite of the Burpengary Jets juniors. “The players come in and there’s often a meat tray raffle on a Friday night.” The Woodpecker also sponsors the over-35s team.
It’s all about hospitality. Tracey says The Woodpecker is “very customer-focussed”. “We try to greet everyone who walks in.”
A quarter of a century after it was built, The Woodpecker Bar and Grill remains a strong part of its community, as you’ll see when you next come in. As Tracey says, they’ll be happy to see you.
Here’s to another wonderful 25 years.
