Emma Pritchard
As he prepares to sell the business he founded almost 20 years ago, Clarence Valley resident Bruce Langham reflects on the legacy he has created, the rapport he has built throughout the years with his regular customers, and his hopes of seeing Wooli River Boat Hire continue to grow and prosper into the future, while remaining a locally owned and operated enterprise.
One of the most prominent and popular businesses located within the beautiful coastal community, Wooli Boat Hire has enabled visitors to explore and enjoy some of the most picturesque locations in the region since 2005 and caters to all tourists from leisure seekers and boating enthusiasts to keen anglers and swimmers.
The current fleet, which includes four trusty tinnies between 3.9m and 4.9m in length, the Wooli River Explorer, a comfortable and fully equipped 7m long pontoon boat which is licensed to carry 12 passengers, and a 5m long utility boat, are familiar sights on the local waterways, and are all included as part of the sale, along with a mooring location on the Wooli River, and numerous spare parts for all of the vessels.
While he admits he will experience mixed emotions when Wooli River Boat Hire changes hands, Mr Langham is proud of the outstanding reputation the lifestyle business is renowned for, and revealed the time has come for him to pursue new adventures, including travelling across Australia.
“I thought I’d make the decision to do what I want to do while I still have my health,” he said with a chuckle.
“The time has just come to move on, and to do other things with my life.
“I will miss it (the business), and I’ll be taking some good memories with me such as meeting different people and sharing Wooli and everything it has to offer with them, but I’m 75 this year, and I think I’ve done all I can with Wooli River Boat Hire.
“I feel the time is approaching for me to step down.”
Mr Langham said while he isn’t opposed to selling to a metropolitan or larger scale company if the terms and conditions were acceptable, he said the business is unique to Wooli, and he would love to see it remain local, adding it would be well suited to a semi-retired couple, or people looking for a sea change.
“It’s part of the attraction which brings people to Wooli, and if the business isn’t here, where will the people go?” he explained.
“The business has its place here, and I would love to see that continue.”