The Barn and Palais at Mount Gambier: Ron enjoys a steak and some music nostalgia on the Limestone Coast in the South East region of South Australia
The South East is rich, fertile farming country - some of the best in the State - and don't the poll Herefords just love it.
Just down the road from where these cattle graze, sits a Limestone Coast landmark - The Barn and Palais - one of the region's most popular and historic entertainment venues, located about 13 kilometres south of Mount Gambier.
The curved roof line harks back to the days when it was a thriving dairy but in the late '30s it underwent an historic change.
Dale Cleves, The Barn & Palais: "In 1937 my mother's uncle, who was a farmer here converted the old barn into a ballroom."
For years it was the talk of Mount Gambier with Saturday night dances all the rage. But by 1960, Dale Cleves put his stamp on The Barn. Dale's father Frank was the band leader at radio station 5KA and had brought many hit makers to this famous establishment. Throughout the 60s, 70's and 80s Dale would do the same and would be partly responsible for a hit of his own.
"Pink Champagne and a Room of Roses" by Johnny Mac and Dale's band the Starrliners" became a big hit throughout the State. Recently the old crew re-united at The Barn to celebrate Dale's 70th birthday and his fiftieth anniversary of at the helm of this landmark entertainment venue.
These were the days of the local dance and local television. Bands like Johnny Mac and the Starrliners would strut their stuff on Ernie Sigley's Adelaide Tonight and the Reg Lindsay's Country and Western Hour. And when they weren't on the local TV they could well be playing The Barn and Palais in front of a crowd of 700 fans. Dale was running the place by then and was attracting some very new emerging acts.
Dale Cleves, The Barn & Palais: "Some of the big names in the early days included John Farnham - he was known as Johnny Farnham. It was the era of 'Sadie the Cleaning Lady'."
Dale remembers one group in particular - The Seekers. They were unknown at the time and were just heading off to the UK as a ship's band when Dale lured them to The Barn.
Dale Cleves, The Barn & Palais: "They probably wouldn't want to hear this but on the two nights that we had them here including travel, it was ?28. It was a steal. Just think of the contract we could have put in front of them!"
Bands like Men at Work and Mental as Anything also played in this space. Changing licensing laws eventually put an end to the big concerts and now The Barn is a convention space.
Dale's other passion is The Barn Steak House. Here you need a big venue for some very big steaks and some big Coonawarra reds.
Dale Cleves, The Barn & Palais: "One of my great passions is cattle breeding. I'm a Hereford cattle breeder. We've been doing that for 40 years - hence the Steak House. We've got some wonderful local produce here with our wines and our beef that we produce because of the limestone."
So if you're visiting the Limestone Coast pop into The Barn. You could even order a Pink Champagne and Room of Roses and enjoy the hospitality of a man and an establishment that's known throughout Australia. To book a room at The Barn and Palais contact 8726 9999. It's located on the outskirts of Mount Gambier on the Nelson road. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
The Barn & Palais
Punt Road
Mount Gambier Ph 8726 9999Published 30th May 2010
