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But he was smiling, and so was she, and despite the frustration, she knew he was right. She knew she could trust him.
***
The foundation fundraiser was scheduled for Saturday—exactly three weeks after meet and mingle. The timing was deliberate: catch the community whilst they were still energised from the social event, but give them time to recover and prepare.
The crew spent Wednesday and Thursday transforming the worksite into an event space. Tom borrowed a small stage from the community hall. Zara donated tables and chairs from the cafe. Sassy coordinated food donations from local businesses. Lisa organised a roster of volunteers for the day.
Brian contributed something unexpected. ‘I’m hosting the bar,’ he announced. ‘Proper bar, beer and wine, all proceeds to the foundation fund. And I’m teaching people the traditional Royal Hotel cocktail—apparently, the publican who ran it in the seventies invented something called a Garnet Sunset. Figured we should revive it.’
By Friday evening, preparations were complete. The site looked festive—bunting and lights strung everywhere, the partially restored building looking better every day, the progress visible and impressive.
‘We’ve come a long way,’ Alex said, standing with Jake and Amelia, surveying their work. ‘Two months ago, this was a ruin. Now look at it.’
‘Still a long way to go,’ Jake cautioned. ‘But yes. We’re making real progress.’
Saturday dawned perfect—clear skies, mild temperature, ideal weather for an outdoor event.
By three p.m., people started arriving. By four, the site was crowded. By five, there were easily four hundred people milling around, examining the work, asking questions, and contributing to the donation boxes placed strategically around the site.
The auction started at six, Tom serving as auctioneer. Local businesses had donated generously—a weekend stay at a property near Emerald, dinner vouchers, art pieces, tools, livestock—a calf from a local farmer—and even a restored antique saddle.
The bidding was enthusiastic and competitive. The weekend stay went for eight hundred dollars. The saddle for twelve hundred. The calf—to everyone’s amusement—for nine hundred dollars, with the buyer immediately donating it back to be re-auctioned, where it sold again for another seven hundred.
‘They’re donating money with extra steps.’ Amelia shook her head. ‘I’ve never seen anything like that before.’
‘Outback generosity,’ Jake said. ‘They want to help but don’t want to just hand over cash. This way, they get something, and the project gets funded. Everyone’s happy.’
The fundraiser also included entertainment. A local band played country rock. Davo performed some genuinely impressive rope tricks he’d learned mustering. Mick and Charlotte, now a couple, demonstrated bush dancing.
And Jill, prompted by Ryan from the hardware store—he’d been hanging around her a lot lately, Amelia noticed—gave an impromptu speech about why the project mattered.
‘I’m not from here,’ she said, standing on the small stage, looking nervous but determined. ‘I’m from Brisbane originally, UK before that. I’ve been in Garnet Creek exactly two months. But in that time, I’ve fallen in love with this place. With the landscape, the town, the people, and their stubborn refusal to give up on something that matters.’
She gestured to the building. ‘This pub represents that stubbornness. It served this community for a hundred years. It could serve for another hundred if we give it the chance. And more than that—it could be a model. Proof that rural towns don’t have to die. That with vision and effort and community support, we can save what’s precious and build something sustainable. I want to stay here.’
The crowd erupted in applause. Jill blushed furiously, stepping down from the stage where Ryan was waiting for her, a huge grin on his face.
‘They’ll end up together,’ Sophie whispered to Amelia. ‘Did you see his face when Jill said she wanted to stay here?’
‘You’re a romantic,’ Amelia said.
‘Says the woman making eyes at her builder boss,’ Sophie shot back.
‘He’s not my boss anymore. We’re colleagues.’
‘Right. Colleagues who are clearly in love and doing this ridiculous, noble waiting thing that’s driving everyone insane.’
‘We’re being professional,’ Amelia said primly.
‘You’re being idiots,’ Sophie corrected. ‘But adorable idiots, so I’ll allow it.’
As sunset approached, Bill Patterson took the stage for a formal update.
‘Tonight’s fundraiser has raised—’ he paused dramatically ‘—nine thousand, four hundred dollars.’
Applause and cheers broke out as Alex climbed to the stage to join him.
‘Combined with existing donations, grants, and pledges, the Royal Hotel restoration project is now able to be completed, the interior too. We’ll be open for trading by Christmas.’
