After more than 22 years, Jim and Judy Lally have sold their interest in the Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel.
 
The ‘Straddie Hotel’, a Queensland icon uniquely positioned at Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island, regularly features in ‘Top 10’ lists due to its panoramic north-facing view over the Coral Sea. The hotel was totally redeveloped during 2006/07 and the beautiful new Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel was officially opened by the Premier, Anna Bligh, in October 2007.
 
Jim, who recently turned 70, says

‘The time has come for us to step back. It’s been a wonderful ride.’
 
When asked how they will spend their retirement, Jim laughs and says, ‘To start with I need to take Judy on that overseas holiday I’ve been promising for the last 30 years!’.
 
For Jim and Judy the undoubted highlight of their time at Straddie has been their close association with many wonderful staff members – “The Straddie Pub Family” – and the great friendships formed and characters met over their years on the idyllic island.

The Lallys have seen many changes to Straddie over the years. When they first arrived the only transport option to the island was one barge company, there were no water taxis and no bus service. The importance of tourism to the island has increased significantly over the time, reflected in the wide array of restaurants, cafes, accommodation and activities now available.
 
Jim attributes the Straddie Fishing Classic in part to the increased awareness of Straddie and all it has to offer. The Classic was launched in 1991, by the Lallys and quickly grew to the biggest fishing event of its kind in Australia, with prizes to the value of $250,000 and up to 1800 competitors.  The Classic, with its major sponsor Carlton United Breweries (now Fosters), ran for 13 years and won many awards.   
 
‘The key challenge facing Straddie now and into the future is managing development and growth so that what attracted local residents to the island in the first place is not lost’ says Jim.
 
The Lallys will be missed on the Island. They have been strong supporters of the local community, actively donating to numerous Island clubs and charities including the Boardriders, Golf, Bowls and Rugby League Clubs as well as the Schools and RSL. Jim and Judy were inaugural Gold Sponsors of the Point Lookout Surf Life Saving Club. Jim was President of North Stradbroke Island Tourism Association; a board member of Redlands Tourism and Patron of the Point Lookout Bowls Club.
 
The Lallys have sold their interest in the Hotel to their business partner of the past eleven years, Bob Hill.
 
The new Licensee/General Manager of the Hotel is Murray Jamieson.