Dive into the heart of the Goulburn Valley’s culinary scene with Jan and Paul Phillips. Every Friday, the pair will serve our readers with their knowledge of our communities’ restaurants, cafés and pubs — one plate at a time.
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Shepparton — a proud town with a name steeped in … mild confusion and generous flattery.
Local legend tells us we owe it all to one Sherbourne Sheppard, an early European settler who wasn’t especially famous, nor particularly heroic.
He didn’t discover gold, lead any grand expeditions, or make headlines in civic leadership.
But what he did do was own land, raise 13 children, and settle in the region — and back in the 19th century, that was enough to get your name on the map.
Literally.
The town was originally known as McGuire’s Punt, but it’s said the town’s naming committee either ran out of options, or perhaps creativity waned after a long lunch.
Regardless, Sherbourne Sheppard got himself immortalised — not just in road signs and postcodes, but also in the occasional trivia night question.
One of the more tangible and heartfelt tributes to his name is the Sherbourne Hotel — a place that has become far more than just a venue.
Originally built as the Commodore, it was later known as The Inlander before being purchased by the Zurcas family in the early 1970s.
They renamed it the Sherbourne, honouring the man behind our town’s name.
Over the years, it’s transformed into an iconic institution, one that has left its mark on countless lives.
Its nightclubs evolved with the decades — from the Commodore to the ¼ Deck, Shakers, and Station One — each era bringing its own energy, memories and milestones. Whether it was a night out, a celebration, or just a regular Friday, the Sherbourne became a rite of passage for generations.
The story of the Sherbourne runs parallel to the story of Shepparton itself.
As the town grew and changed, so too did the venue — always keeping with the times yet holding on to its roots.
Stan Zurcas, the beloved patriarch of the family, was at the heart of it all until his passing in 2014.
Today, his sons — Sam, Peter and Nick — continue to lead the way, supported by nephews, extended family and their long-time friend and legendary employee, Tom Adem.
Tom isn’t just part of the team — he’s part of the furniture.
He’s witnessed decades of laughter, friendships, first dances, last drinks and everything in between.
We recently sat down with him and were soon swept up in a sea of “Remember when?” moments, laughing like we were teenagers again.
The Sherbourne has been there through our teens, twenties, thirties and beyond — and it’s still going strong.
I remember backpacking through Asia in 1986, ending up in London’s Earl’s Court, exhausted and heading to a laundromat, when I saw a group of familiar-looking faces.
“They could be Sherbourne regulars,” I thought — and they were.
Tommy Adem, Alex Alabakis, Metty and Tommy Varapodio — right there in London.
It was a brilliant, unexpected reunion.
We swapped stories, caught up on Shepp news, and, just like that, the Sherbourne had connected us across the globe.
So many memories flood back — like the nightclub battles where free drink cards were the weapon of choice (until good sense prevailed), and the lineup of bands and artists that came through the Sherbs.
We asked Tom about some of his highlights, and without hesitation, he recalled Tim Freedman from The Whitlams performing, Jimmy Barnes making several appearances — once even jumping on stage with a local band, adjusting the lights mid-set, only to be kicked by a security guard! (This was not the awesome Metty Selman, who worked security at the Sherbourne for 20-plus years.) — and the legendary Sunday sessions with The Varied Heads.
Chris Quinn and Shane Muir held court every Sunday for seven years — two brilliant musicians who made every performance feel like magic.
Tom remembers telling them, “One day, these will be the good old days.” And now, they are.
Tom says what he loves most is coming to work and seeing people enjoy themselves. That joy is infectious — and for those of us lucky enough to have experienced it, it’s unforgettable.
The staff are always welcoming, the vibe is warm. And the food? Outstanding.
We dined at McGuire’s Bistro — a lovely nod to McGuire’s Punt — and shared a chef’s tasting plate featuring bruschetta, chicken skewers, calamari and crumbed prawns.
Then came a perfectly cooked ribeye and a hearty chicken parmigiana.
The menu is diverse, with something for every palate, and daily specials that keep things exciting.
Later, we capped the night with a drink in the Squatters Sports Bar, chatting with Tom and reflecting on how this place had woven itself into the story of our lives.
The Sherbourne is more than just a venue. It’s a time capsule, a gathering place, a memory-maker.
Sherbourne Sheppard may not have done much to earn a town, but thanks to the Sherbourne Hotel, his name lives on in something truly iconic — a place that continues to bring people together and remind us of the power of connection, celebration and community.
Every bite tells a story