'Magnificent old lady' refurbished

Kaye Edwards, 70, swore she would never get involved with another hotel again, until she fell in love with the Grande olde' Dumbleyung Inn.

Ms Edwards visited the decaying pub, which opened in 1911, around Christmas time last year and was disappointed to see it had been closed since November.

She decided to buy and renovate the old building, restoring it to its former glory.

The hotel and bar officially opened last month.

The pub has seen many historical events, including Donald Campbell's race in his boat across Dumbleyung Lake in 1964 at 444.71km/h, breaking the world record for the fastest speed travelled across water.

"She is a magnificent old lady and there is a lot to be fixed up, but she holds a lot of character and is full of history," Ms Edwards said.

"It's slowly coming along.

"I initially cleaned upstairs, the kitchen and got the rooms ready so people could come and stay, especially for the Donald Campbell's 50th anniversary celebration, then I just kept going.

"It is a very community-based hotel and it's a massive two-storey building - to sit out on the balcony at night in the silence, it is truly a magnificent place."

Throughout restorations, Ms Edwards said she was constantly finding hidden heritage treasures and she has even displayed some of the community memorabilia.

Photographs and relics commemorating Campbell's achievements run along the wall inside, as well as photographs from the hotel's past.

Ms Edwards said she was trying to maintain the hotel's history.

"I think it is important things like that need to be part of the pub," she said.

Ms Edwards has a vast knowledge of hotels, having owned the Borden pub in 1988, taking over the Pingrup pub in 2003, and leasing the Kulin pub from 2008-2011.

"It is a great atmosphere, and the people here in Dumbleyung are fantastic - to me it is just important to look after the people, my staff and visitors," she said.