Business
29 May, 2024
New roadhouse owner has grand plans for Dajarra
Scott Punch is focused on giving back to the community he was raised in.
Scott Punch is taking a lifetime of experience and using it to transform Dajarra.
Already the biggest employer in town, Scott, who operates a successful earthmoving business, has bought and is expanding the Dajarra roadhouse and has plans to reopen the general store.
His phone has been buzzing recently with calls from roofers, concreters, and other tradesmen as he looks to make repairs to the roadhouse, reopen the tyre shop and discuss what changes need to be added to the general store building to make it functional for a reopening later in the year.
Scott says he is focused on giving back to the community he was born and raised in.
He said he wants to train the younger generation in the township, give them mentorship and build employment opportunities from the ground up. He believes the roadhouse is a key meeting point in the town and he wants to continue the good work of Adrian Cooney.
“I bought the roadhouse mostly for the kids – so they have somewhere to go,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter if the weather is hot or cold, the kids love coming to the roadhouse and buying lollies or pies and especially chips- the kids just love buying some hot chips and walking away with the big smile on their faces.
“Without the roadhouse, there is only a pub in town. I wanted to give the kids and the old people somewhere they can meet up.
“I remember the roadhouse from when I was a boy in the town and I wanted to make sure it stays open.”
As a young man, Scott left the community and took jobs at mine sites across the North West, rising to the role of superintendent. In these senior roles, he began looking for employment opportunities for other Dajarra locals.
When he branched out on his own with loaders, graders and a water cart in earthmoving, he also began training and employing even more young people from Dajarra.
Building roads across North Queensland meant he only managed to visit the township for a week or two at a time each year.
When the pandemic stalled the economy in 2020, Scott decided to base himself and his family in Dajarra where he founded Punchey’s Earthmoving, which began with the construction of a pipeline and trial pit for Ardmore Phosphate Mine and has grown to employ 32 people, including 28 locals.
He said returning to the community made him decide to return to his roots and settle down.
“When I stayed in the community for a while, I got to see family and friends more regularly than I had for many years,” Scott said.
“I just had the sense of belonging and I knew this was my home.
“I’m really focused on doing things for the community now and for the next generation.”