Rohan Pertzel’s Journey From Running Pubs to Broking Them Across Western Victoria
Rohan Pertzel’s Journey From Running Pubs to Broking Them Across Western Victoria
When Rohan Pertzel sold his ‘Jan Juc’ pub eight years ago, he thought he was due for a breather. But the sale ended up being a pivot point. As he stood at the bar, broker Phil Mammolito asked what he planned to do next. “I replied, ‘Oh, I’m going to have a month or so off and then we’ll worry about that down the track,’” Rohan recalled.
Phil’s response was unexpected “You don’t want to come and work for us?’
It wasn’t something Rohan had considered, but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Today, he’s a partner at CRE Brokers, overseeing western Victoria and playing a key role in CRE’s regional hospitality network.
From the Southwest to the State’s Centre
Rohan’s story starts in the southwest of Victoria, where he grew up on a property near Timboon, inland from Port Campbell and the Twelve Apostles. His early years on the farm gave him a strong work ethic, but his career path took several turns before broking. He worked in the tobacco industry for 11 years and later in the alcohol and hospitality industries.
“I’ve been in all the vices… tobacco, alcohol, and then we ended up owning pubs,” he said with a laugh.
Over roughly 20 years, he and a business partner owned and operated several hotels, including venues in Ballarat, Melbourne and the coast. By the time he and his wife were running the Jan Juc Hotel, hospitality was in his blood. When they sold that business through CRE Brokers, he didn’t expect to join the firm that handled the sale.
But Phil Mammolito saw a natural broker in him. “I was doing all the inspections for the hotels selling in this area,” Rohan recalled. “When potential buyers came through, I’d show them around. He’d often say, ‘Gee, you did a good job there, mate.’”
A Regional Partner with Local Roots
Eight years later, Rohan is still with CRE Brokers and is now a partner in the company. Based in Torquay, he manages listings from Geelong and Ballarat across to the South Australian border, an area that includes some of the state’s most distinctive pubs and motels. His deep local knowledge, combined with years of hands-on pub experience, gives him an edge with clients across the west.
“I’ve played a lot of footy and cricket down around western Victoria,” he explained. “So I know I’ve been to a few of the pubs previously and know a few of the guys. That helps in that regard.”
Hospitality at the Core
While CRE Brokers handles a range of business sales, its reputation is firmly anchored in hospitality. “The predominant stuff that the main group of brokers do is hospitality-based,” Rohan explained. “So we predominantly do hotels, motels, caravan parks.” The firm also has a general business division covering everything from takeaway shops to hardware stores, but its strongest identity remains regional accommodation and pub sales.
Rohan’s own portfolio reflects that focus. In recent months, he has settled a caravan park near Colac, a hotel in Warracknabeal and another in Ballarat. “We probably sell the most hotels in regional Victoria,” he said, adding that the network’s regional coverage gives them an advantage. “We do a lot of miles, a lot of driving to get to some of these little pubs, but we find they turn over quite readily.”
Changing Ownership Landscape
Across regional Victoria and beyond, the mix of buyers is shifting. Independent “mum and dad” operators are still active, but larger corporate groups are increasingly acquiring hotels and caravan parks.
Rohan sees both sides of the trend. “They certainly put a label behind it,” he shared. “If you’re driving along and you see an Ingenia or a Big4, you’ll know what you’re probably getting.” At the same time, he acknowledges it’s bittersweet to see long-term family operators selling up after decades.
“It’s sad that the mum and dad operations and the good ones that have spent a lot of time getting to that stage are gone, but they are getting well-remunerated to get out,” he commented. “Down the track, it’ll probably be groups taking over the big ones and then a few independents scattered in between along the coast.”
Big and Small Deals Alike
Whether he’s working on a $10 million metropolitan hotel or a $30,000 country leasehold, Rohan approaches every sale with the same focus. “We’re the bridge between the bloke that wants to buy the pub and the bloke that wants to sell the pub,” he explained. “We’re hopefully guiding them in the right direction to make it as easy as we can.”
He notes that smaller business owners often need more support, especially when they’re selling for the first time after years of ownership. Larger corporate groups are typically more experienced in transactions, but both rely on brokers to manage expectations and communication. “We’ve got to temper the expectations of both and guide them,” Rohan said. “Because we’re a bit independent, there’s no emotional attachment.”
The Human Side of Broking
For Rohan, one of the most rewarding parts of the job is the personal connection. The role demands long drives and flexibility, but he thrives on the variety. “It’s different every time,” he observed. “You’ve got to be comfortable dealing with a fairly wide spectrum of people. They could be Indian buyers buying a motel or a 70-year-old guy getting out of a hotel in the middle of nowhere.”
He believes broking suits people with initiative and resilience. “I’d certainly recommend it for the right person if they’ve got a bit of drive and are happy to do the hard yards,” he said. “There’s certainly good remuneration in it for those who are good and put in the hours.” At CRE, he added, brokers are supported by a fair structure that rewards performance and teamwork.
Looking Ahead
After four decades in operation, CRE Brokers remains a fixture of the Australian hospitality scene and Rohan sees a strong future ahead. “Broking’s still part of it. You still need that people to people contact,” he said. “Our role is to make sure we’re the conduit between the buyer, the seller and the solicitor, because there can be some egos involved and some issues along the way.”
With its expanding general business division and national reach, the company continues to evolve while staying true to its regional roots. Rohan expects that balance of local relationships and professional structure to keep driving success. “Our company’s been here for 40 years,” he said. “I can still see it being here for a long period of time.”
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