A Wheatbelt pub will be given a boost on the national stage thanks to a $50,000 grant.
The Nungarin Woolshed Hotel has been named as one of six recipients of Airbnb's Country Pub Project $50,000 grant that aims to revitalise local pubs and help put them and the towns they're located in, back on the map.
Publicans Laurie McKay and Carolyn Used have run the Woolshed, in the heart of the Wheatbelt district, for six years.
After selling their cleaning company in Perth they were ready for semi-retirement so decided to relocate to Nungarin and takeover the pub.
Just three years after their big move Mr McKay was diagnosed with throat cancer and went through months of treatment.
Ms Used was more recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
Despite the setbacks, the couple said their pub and the community of Nungarin has kept them going.
"It's a small town with a big heart, which we wouldn't have had the privilege of being a part of if it wasn't for our pub," Mr McKay said.
"We just can't do as much as we used to, so this grant is such a wonderful way to get some added support.
"Finding out we won the grant has been such a boost to our confidence and will go a long way to supporting the community. We've been wanting to finish our upstairs area for a while and this will finally help us do that."
The Nungarin publicans said they will spend the majority of the grant revamping the pub's bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas.
As part of the grant, they'll be partnered with a dedicated project manager who will use local tradespeople to carry out the works.
They'll also be paired with a nearby Airbnb host to provide tips and tricks for listing their pub on the platform to gain maximum exposure to international and domestic guests.
Airbnb spokesperson Brent Thomas said the spirit of the local Nungarin community and the support they've given Mr McKay and Ms Used, represented the true mateship of our country.
"It hasn't all been smooth sailing for Laurie and Carolyn, so we're pleased to be able to lend a helping hand in giving their beloved pub a bit of TLC," he said.
"The community spirit of Nungarin stood out to us and we hope this grant will give the pub and wider town a well-deserved boost."
Nationals WA leader Mia Davies praised Mr McKay and Ms Used for the outstanding job they had done since taking over the Woolshed six years ago.
"Laurie and Carolyn hit the ground running when they moved from Perth and have breathed new life into the Woolshed," Ms Davies said.
"It's a credit to their hard work and dedication that they have today been announced the WA winners of the Country Pub Project.
"It's a prize the entire community will be able to benefit from as Laurie and Carolyn will be using local tradespeople to carry out the renovations.
"The publicity from today's announcement and the improved Woolshed Hotel will no doubt attract more visitors and tourists to Nungarin and the region."
Ms Davies said the town and wider region had plenty to offer and there were interesting self-drive tours that took in the above attractions and many more to entice visitors to stay for a weekend.
"The more people we can attract to the Wheatbelt the more they will see what an amazing place it is to visit and live," Ms Davies said.
"Our region is a well-kept secret but if we want to drive tourism numbers we need quality accommodation and venues for people to visit while in town."
As part of this initiative, publicans and community members were encouraged to nominate their favourite pub by describing what makes their local so special.
Of the 9000 nominations received during the application process, over 450 were from Western Australia.
