Just about every bloke dreams of owning a pub and for two mates with connections to East Gippsland doing so is about to become a reality.
Trent Hadfield and Aaron Patten have joined forces in a bid to purchase the iconic Dargo Hotel with the help of cash flow from community shareholders through equity crowd funding.
Mr Hadfield, a business advisor, told a meeting of interested investors at the Bairnsdale RSL last week the idea was borne from a genuine desire to preserve the pub's history and protect it from an uncertain fate.
Mr Patten, who has a background in hospitality, agrees.
"The last thing we want to do is to tip the pub on its head," Mr Patten said.

IMAGE: Directors of the Dargo Hotel Owners Group, Aaron Patten and Trent Hadfield with Steve Ayton, who will take up the role of hotel manager.