A man who held two of the Sunshine Coast hinterland’s hotels during a pub career spanning more than 40 years is being remembered as fair and respectful gentleman and a mentor to his staff.
Stewart Pickering, with his late wife Gretel, owned and ran the Maleny Hotel for about 20 years and the Mapleton Tavern for about 25.
After a full and lively 88 years, Mr Pickering passed away recently with family by his side. His wake was fittingly held at the Maleny Hotel last week.
His daughter, Edwina, said her parents had worked long hours in their hotels but her dad loved being behind the bar.
“He loved to be there and be part of that banter,” she said.
Mr and Mrs Pickering bought the Maleny Hotel in 1977, keen to get out of Sydney with their two young daughters, seeing Queensland as a go-ahead state after Joh Bjelke-Petersen abolished death taxes.
After sampling economics at university, Mr Pickering had worked in accounting for Citicorp for years.
However, he dreamed of being self-employed and could see potential in Maleny, then very much a hub for the local farming community with an influx of “hippies”.
Edwina said her parents worked hard in the pub, which was open six days a week from 10am to 10pm, and for two sessions on Sundays.
“Sunday nights were the only night of the week we had a family dinner,” she said.
She said her six-foot-four father was a “gentle giant” who was welcoming but also tolerated no bad behaviour in his hotel.
“I think my father was a really good publican. He was very hospitable, but If fights broke out – he was a rugby player, he was a big, tall guy, and he didn’t want that in his hotel,” she said.
“My sister would be up on the verandah and we’d see people move out on the street. We knew.”
Mr Pickering’s niece, Janine Jacobson, said her uncle had been “a man of great integrity”, naturally gregarious and loved to work with people and be part of the community.
Once the Maleny Hotel was running smoothly, the Pickerings indulged in travel, first to Turtle Island, Fiji, which became a favourite spot, as well as the United States. They also took cruises, where Mr Pickering enjoyed exploring various ports.
During the Pickerings’ ownership, a bistro, lounge and bottleshop were added to the hotel, and a family home to the rear.
About 1997, Mr and Mrs Pickering sold the hotel with a view to taking life a little easier but Edwina said her father “was not the retiring type” and, within a couple of years, bought the Mapleton Tavern.
Judy Austin, who had started working there two years earlier, found Mr Pickering to be a wonderful and encouraging teacher and mentor.
“He was very good to work for. He was always upfront with you. He treated everyone with respect,” she said.
“He made sure all the patrons treated staff with respect and we treated them with respect. It didn’t matter who you were or what you looked like, we always treated the person with respect.”
Ms Austin worked for Mr Pickering until he sold the tavern in 2022 and remained a friend, visiting regularly. She said he was always impeccably dressed and groomed.
“He never wore a pair of thongs in his life. A real gentleman. Mr Debonair,” she said.
Mr Pickering and his wife had met while living in the same street, after Mr Pickering’s family – mother, stepfather Norman Weston and five siblings – resettled in Sydney, from Fiji, when he was 12.
Ms Jacobson said a young Stewart declared he was going to marry Gretel one day, although it did not happen until he was in his late 20s.
“His only regret was that he didn’t marry her earlier,” she said.
Gretel passed away in 2018.
Edwina returned to live with her father during Covid in 2020, shortly after he suffered a major heart attack, and filled the role of carer when he needed it.
She said she was fortunate to have had the last four years with him.
“For the most part, it was a pleasure being able to be here with Dad,” she said.
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