Temora Hotel’s former operator heads toward collapse owing more than $1m
The company that ran Temora Hotel in the Riverina is heading towards liquidation, with unsecured creditors claiming $1,043,813.24 and the administrator probing potential insolvent trading.
Murrells Hospitality Group, previously operated by Benjamin and Rachel Murrells, entered voluntary administration on 4 September. The administrator has recommended creditors vote to wind the company up.
The collapse follows a five-year disqualification from holding a liquor licence, imposed after the death of a 17-year-old boy who crashed a vehicle in the early hours of 21 March 2020 following a drinking session at the venue.
According to the administrator’s report lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the largest creditor is the Australian Taxation Office, owed $833,091.82. Others include:
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a business finance provider, owed $153,200.72
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Bidgee Hotel Leasing P/L, owed $110,500
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Prospa, owed $95,011.23
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B&E Foods, owed $13,930.86
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American Express, owed $12,187.45
The administrator is also seeking to recover $516,409 in loans involving related parties, including Bidgee Hotels (unrelated to the current venue operators), Grazify Catering Co and the Murrells Family Trust. Investigations into potential insolvent trading are continuing.
Regulatory findings
A Liquor and Gaming NSW judgment published in May 2025 set out the events of the night. It found two underage patrons were served heavily at the hotel and that neither was asked for proof of age by staff.
“On March 20, 2020, a 17-year-old minor entered Temora Hotel and between the hours of 9.44pm and 11.27pm was sold, supplied and served a total of 19 alcoholic beverages, of which he consumed seven,” read the judgement.
“Also on March 20, 2020, a second 17-year-old minor entered Temora Hotel and between the hours of 12.01pm and 11.46pm was sold, supplied and served approximately 45 alcoholic beverages by staff employed by the hotel, of which he consumed at least 20.
“On March 21, 2020, in the early hours of the morning prior to 6.00am, one of the minors drove a motor vehicle and was involved in a crash resulting in his death,” the judgment continued.
The hotel was ordered to close for two weeks following regulatory action. In 2021, Murrells Hospitality Group was found guilty of selling liquor to a minor and received an 18-month conditional release order without conviction.
The regulator acknowledged the business had maintained an unblemished compliance record for more than a decade before the incident. The hotel has since changed hands.
Jonathan Jackson, 20th October 2026
