Stunning twist after Georgie the cockatoo faced being cruelly evicted from a Sydney pub after 16 years of bringing joy to Aussies

Regulars at a famous pub in Australia have come together to support a well-liked cockatoo who was at risk of being kicked out despite bringing happiness to customers for 16 years.

The Friend In Hand pub, located in Glebe in Sydney’s inner-west, has been in operation since 1857 and is renowned worldwide for its 16-year-old native bird, Georgie.

The future of the bird became uncertain when Momento Hospitality sold the pub to the Reilly Group, prompting concerns among the community about whether the new owners would allow Georgie to continue residing in her familiar spot.

Glebe local Toby Lee warned the domesticated cockatoo would ‘not survive being rehomed’ in an impassioned call to arms on Wednesday.

‘This is Georgie from the Friend in Hand, the pub has been bought and the new owner wants to get rid of her!’ Mr Lee wrote on a community Facebook page.

‘She has lived at the friend for 16 years and would not survive being rehomed. I think a petition to the new owner may help. Any thoughts?’

Dozens rallied for the much-loved cockatoo in the comments. 

‘A terrible day for Glebe… this bird is Glebe!!! And so was the cockatoo that lived in the pub before her I think her name was Josie,’ another wrote.

Georgie the cockatoo (pictured) has been the much-loved feathered mascot of the Friend in Hand hotel in Glebe, in Sydney's inner-west, for almost 20 years

Georgie the cockatoo (pictured) has been the much-loved feathered mascot of the Friend in Hand hotel in Glebe, in Sydney’s inner-west, for almost 20 years

Locals feared the native would be left homeless after the pub recently changed hands

Locals feared the native would be left homeless after the pub recently changed hands 

‘Georgie is an Australian legend. Many go to the Friend in Hand just to enjoy a beer in Georgie’s company,’ a second commented. 

‘Can’t the old owners take [the bird] with them? These birds live a long time. If new owner is not interested in it, this bird deserves more,’ a third said.  

In a stunning twist, Momento Hospitality confirmed the new owners had agreed to allow Georgie to continue her residency at the Friend in Hand. 

‘Momento Hospitality would like to let you know we have sold the Friend in Hand Hotel. We have enjoyed our time here and want to sincerely thank the community for all the good times and support,’ it said on Thursday night. 

‘It seems there is concern about what will happen to Georgie. Georgie is well loved and looked after and will always be a part of Friend in Hand Hotel. 

‘The incoming owners, Reilly Group, operate some fantastic pubs through the inner west. 

‘They have kindly offered to take Georgie to the White Cockatoo Hotel in Petersham until such time the Friend in Hand reopens.

‘Georgie will be back but if anyone would like to see her, please pay her a visit there. She will be well cared for and look after. Cheers FIH team.’

Publican and CEO of Reilly Group Ray Reilly, confirmed the pub group would officially own the Friend in Hand hotel by next Easter.

Georgie features prominently in signage around the hotel and on social media

Georgie features prominently in signage around the hotel and on social media

The Friend In Hand is an historic hotel established in 1857 in Glebe in Sydney's inner west and is famous around the world for its resident cockatoo, 16-year-old Georgie

The Friend In Hand is an historic hotel established in 1857 in Glebe in Sydney’s inner west and is famous around the world for its resident cockatoo, 16-year-old Georgie

Mr Reilly added that it hadn’t been his company’s decision to close the pub.

‘Georgie is loving her new home (at The White Cockatoo Hotel in Petersham) as too are our staff and customers,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.

‘She has only been with us for a few hours and already she has achieved a 5-star Google review.’

Reilly Group currently has seven hotels in its portfolio across Sydney and NSW – The White Cockatoo Hotel, The Henson Hotel in Marrickville, The Sydney Park Hotel in Newtown, The Sutton Forest in the NSW Southern Highlands, The London Hotel and The Cricketers in Balmain and the New Ivanhoe Hotel in Blackheath in the Blue Mountains.

Georgie enjoyed her own perch behind the bar at the Friend in Hand and at night roosted in the upstairs master bedroom.

A sulphur-crested cockatoo is part of the fabric of the historic pub with a cockatoo included in the hotel logo and on external signage and its social media. 

In 2014, ‘George’ the cockatoo had been cruelly stolen but returned unharmed just hours later after a radio appeal and a desperate search. 

In 2017, it was revealed George the cockatoo was in fact female after an egg was discovered with the pub’s then-owner Michael Byrne renaming the bird ‘Georgie’. 

Mr Byrne said it wasn’t the first time he had had to rename one of the pub’s feathered mascots after discovering ‘Joe’ the cockatoo was pregnant.

The bird was renamed ‘Josephine’ with many locals affectionately calling her Josie.

When the Friend in Hand sold in 2019, the resident cockatoo was reportedly written into the hotel’s official sales inventory. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Friend in Hand and Momento Hospitality for comment. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

New Update: Police Sending DNA to Lab in Brian Thompson Shooting Case After Receiving Numerous Tips

Authorities are reportedly following up on hundreds of tips in Wednesday’s shooting…

Chuck Norris, 84, announces the passing of his mother at 103 and pays tribute to her as a source of inspiration.

CHUCK Norris has revealed his mum has died aged 103 in a…

Susanna Reid, 53, wears a red velvet suit for Christmas event with Sue Smith, 82, at Westminster Abbey, after interviewing Ed Balls’ spouse on TV.

Susanna Reid accompanied her mother, Sue Smith, to a carol service at…

Russia is sending nuclear missiles close to the NATO borders while Putin and his ally Lukashenko boast about their powerful weaponry.

RUSSIA is set to deploy Oreshnik hypersonic missiles capable of carrying nukes…

Kate Middleton looks amazing in a bright red coat and black bow as she attends carol concert at Westminster Abbey

The Princess of Wales today arrived at Westminster Abbey to lead her…

Outrage over London mayor Sadiq Khan possibly receiving knighthood despite failing in his role

SADIQ Khan’s rumoured knighthood was yesterday blasted as a gong for failure…

A big snake swims in flood waters in Thailand after reportedly consuming a dog.

THIS is the terrifying moment a 20ft monster was spotted swimming along…

“Explore the Extravagant Villas in the £1.5 Billion-Valued Ultra-Luxurious Neighbourhood where Each Metre is Worth £80,000”

A JAW-DROPPING new neighbourhood has claimed the title of the world’s most…

The transformation of cows causing a new environmental conflict: More Bovaer in the food chain than previously thought, leading to a battle between consumers and farmers

Yet again this week, the marketing world faced a stumble as a…

Impact of Storm Darragh: Red alert issued for millions to remain indoors, power cuts affect thousands, and trains halted due to 92mph winds.

Millions of Britons have been warned to stay indoors, while thousands have…

Rich top executives are hiring security in fear after Brian Thompson’s murder with mysterious killer still not caught

TERRIFIED millionaire CEOs are desperately ramping up their security after UnitedHealthcare’s boss Brian…

Intense search for people who may have survived a big explosion at an apartment building in The Hague while police look for a speeding car.

RESCUERS are searching for survivors after a huge explosion ripped through a…