In the heart of Flinders Island, a remote and picturesque part of Tasmania, stands the Interstate Hotel, a beacon of hospitality that has been a cherished landmark since 1911. The history behind this iconic establishment is intrinsically linked with one family, who have been the custodians of the hotel since before World War II – a legacy which has now crept into its fourth generation . F or more than a century, the Interstate Hotel on Flinders Island has been the epicentre for both the local community and the stream of visitors who make the journey to the largest island off Tasmania’s northeast. And for the majority of its existence, the popular watering hole has been in the hands of the Aitken family, who recently celebrated 80 years of ownership. The population of the island might only hover around 1000, but when a milestone arrives the townsfolk know how to party. And the 80th anniversary of the Aitken family’s involvement with the Interstate in early October was as good as cause for a celebration as any. The Interstate has always been more than just a place to eat and sleep, it has been a cornerstone of the local community for generations.
“We had a big party over the weekend which was great, we had one 30 years ago for the 50th, that was huge, a big street party,” laughs Claus Wilkens, whose partner Colleen, a third generation Aitken, now owns the property with her two brothers. “The pub has always been the centre of everything, the whole island has sort of revolved around the pub over the years, even before the Aitkens took it over. It was built in 1911, so it was more or less the only building standing. The bloke who actually built it, he got 1000 acres of land, and he built the pub and the town sort of built around the pub. “We’ve also got a cafe which has only been there for three, four years, breakfasts start there and everything else rolls through the day, so it’s sort of a main meeting hub for locals. “A lot of people come off the plane of the morning and head straight for a coffee or breakfast, whether it’s politicians or government workers, we have a lot of Tas Water, Tas Ports and Hydro people come and plus there’s a lot of building happening as well. Colleen does a lot of the cooking and would be doing anywhere from 40 to 80 meals a night, probably 30-40 lunches,
9 Tasmanian Hospitality Review October/November Edition
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