Rocky Hall Pub No Date Jean McPaul Collection, Eden Killer Whale Museum |
MAX. And Charlie Laing we were talking about,
oh, he was a devil when he was drunk. He
was over at the plonk shop one night and
he was drunk and was tormenting us. We took
him and put him in one of Darcy's beds over
there and Trevor Tasker had taken a load
of wattle bark down to the mill that day
and he was back there and we went and got
one of his ropes, and to stop Charlie from
tormenting us we wound the rope around the
bed and around him and tied him in. That
was the same night as Ronnie Haigh killed
the rooster. So, anyway, Ronnie turns up
and Charlie's in there singing out, 'Help
me. Help me.' Ronnie goes in and, 'Oh, the
poor bugger,' he says. He goes out and gets
one of Darcy's butcher knives, and this was
a brand new rope of Trevor Tasker's and he
cut the rope along one side of the bed and
got Charlie out. Oh there were some stories
that come out of there. Arthur Beasley rode
a horse right in through that bar, one time.
KATE. WHY? OR IS THAT A SILLY QUESTION?
MAX. It was a bet that Arthur was saying that
this horse was the quietest horse around
and he could ride him anywhere. And big Alf
Tasker said, 'I bet you can't ride him through
here.' And he did. He rode him up on to the
veranda in to the bar and right through to
the kitchen and out through the hallway.
Topsy was nearly having green kittens. Darcy
was saying, 'Christ, Spot'll be on to you.'
*** Excerpt from Max Sawers' interview in 'The Forgotten Corner Interviews'.
The Towamba valley in the 1890's was a remote
area (in most cases it is still classed as
remote in this year 2001). Its pioneers worked
hard from dawn to dusk and at times into
the dark. Their place of unwinding, yarning,
and getting the latest news, was the local
pub or wine bar. These places also gave accommodation
to the bullock and horse team drivers who
carted their loads from the coast to the
Monaro and back again and any travellers
who were passing through.
There was the Rocky Hall pub at the foot
of the escarpment on the Big Jack Mountain
Road which was the route from the Monaro
down to the coast. At New Buildings the road
divided and one route crossed the Towamba
River and wound towards Wyndham where the
Robbie Burns Hotel quenched a thirst. That
route continued down towards Pambula and
on to Merimbula wharf where the drivers would
load their drays with produce and ordered
goods for the return trip.
From New Buildings the Big Jack Mountain
Road continued ahead towards Burrgate and
Towamba. The Towamba Hotel didn't have a
long life as it was burnt to the ground shortly
after it was completed. In later years the
Towamba Wine Saloon was built. It had a small
bar and offered accommodation to anyone passing
through. From Towamba the teams would then
continue over the mountain to the Eden wharf
to deliver or collect goods and produce from
the coastal steamers.
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DAVE FARRELL'S TEAM OF 22 BULLOCKS OUTSIDE
ROCKY HALL PUB. 1907 |
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Rocky Hall Pub. No date |
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TOWAMBA HOTEL. Publican Mr. Joseph McKee. c 1905. (Note men holding what look like certificates and men sitting on steps have rifles and men standing in front of steps aiming rifles. Possibly after Towamba Rifle Club won an event.) McKee fell foul of Constable R. Dunn and lost his licence in about 1910 when the hotel was taken over by A. Robinson. Jean McPaul Collection, Eden Killer Whale Museum |
'Pambula Voice' October 20, 1893
* Our new host Mr. Clohessy has been making
large additions and extensive improvements
at the Towamba Hotel. These will add to the
comfort of visitors and travellers whose
interests appear to be Mr. Clohessy's first
consideration.
'Pambula Voice' May 19, 1893
ROCKY HALL
* The hotel at Rocky Hall having been condemned
as a licensed premises by the Government
Inspector, Mr Sheehy, is now erecting a commodious
building to be called "Big Jack Hotel".
It will consist of nine rooms, the parlour
is situated as far as possible from the bar,
and approached by a separate gate entrance
on the verandah.
Stabling accommodation for six horses and
all the other requisite buildings lie within
easy distance at the back. Nothing has been
left undone to make it a house of superior
accommodation for travellers. For excellence
of workmanship and durability I only have
to mention the Power Bros. as contractors
and Stringy Bark and Blue Gum from Myrtle
Creek as building materials.
Mrs Eva Arnold will lease the premises together
with a paddock of 40 acres at the back. Travellers
who have lingered at Rocky Hall will freely
testify to the civility and plenteous board
always available at the Arnold's Hotel.
The Ballroom will be situated at the opposite
side of the road so that there will always
be a dry passage to the hotel, which I am
sure that the ladies will say is a great
improvement. I understand Mr. Gorman has
given an adjoining paddock for a race-course
.'Pambula Voice' August 4, 1893
ROCKY HALL
* A licence has been granted to the recently
renovated old Rocky Hall Hotel. Mrs Arnold
and family will lease the building to be
called "The Big Jack Hotel".
'Pambula Voice' August 11, 1893
ROCKY HALL
* The building is now complete and a ball
will be held to celebrate the opening of
The Big Jack Hotel.
'Pambula Voice' January 5, 1894
ROCKY HALL
* Mr. J. Arnold's racehorse 'Rossetta', a
dead heat for 2nd, in the first race. 'Daisy
May' first place in the second race.
'Pambula Voice' February 2, 1894
ROCKY HALL
* Mrs. Arnold of the Big Jack Hotel has now
succeeded Mr. Whitby in the control of the
compact dairy farm known as Rocky Hall Estate.
With average seasons she should do well and
we wish her success in such a plucky venture.
'Pambula voice' March 9, 1894
ROCKY HALL
* The Big Jack Hotel was totally destroyed
by fire early on Saturday morning. About
half past four in the morning, some of the
inmates were awakened by an unusual noise
and getting out of bed and looking for a
cause were dismayed to find flames bursting
forth from the western end of the building,
which portion was unoccupied at the time.
The remaining occupants were quickly aroused
and several neighbours were soon on the spot,
but it was at once seen that any hope of
saving the building with the crude appliances
at hand was out of the question, as the fire
had too firm a hold on the light structure,
the pine and canvas lining providing excellent
fuel to feed the hungry flames. Not a breathe
of wind was stirring, but in a very short
time the hotel was destroyed except for the
kitchen and the brick chimneys.
The majority of the furniture and all the
beer and spirits with the exception of a
few casks of spirit was lost. Mrs Eva Arnold
and son Joe lost several small articles,
watches, ornaments and the account books.
No clue as the the origin of the fire is
obtained so far but four police are seeking
evidence for an inquest to be held during
the week. The furniture and stock was insured.
'Pambula Voice' May 6, 1898
ROCKY HALL
* Rumour has it that Mr. M. C. Beck, the
worthy boniface of the Rocky Hall Hotel is
about to seek fresh fields and pastures new.
Mr. and Mrs. Beck's departure will cause
much regret here. Their estimable qualities
are so universally known that any eulogy
by me is needless.
'Pambula Voice' January 18, 1901
YAMBULLA
* Mr. D. S. McDonald has made a start with
his new hotel, the site being cleared and
fenced. Building operations have somewhat
been delayed owing to the difficulty of getting
material delivered on the ground. Mr. McDonald
states that satisfactory arrangements have
now been made with Mr. D. Heffernan of Bondi
sawmills and the timber is expected to arrive
here this week. He expects to have the building
completed in eight weeks time.
'Pambula Voice' February 1, 1901
NOTES FROM YAMBULLA
* Mr. Charles Jess of Bega has obtained the
contract for the erection of Mr. McDonald's
new hotel and has commenced work.
August 2, 1901
Transfer of the Publican's license of the
federal Hotel, Yambulla, from Mr. D. S. McDonald
to Patrick Joseph Curry.
'The Wyalong Advocate and Mining, Agricultural
and Pastoral Gazette'
19 July 1902
An hotel keeper named Moore, living at Rocky-hall,
Bombala, narrowly escaped drowning whilst
attempting to cross the Basin Creek near
Rocky Hall. He was driving one horse in a
hooded buggy. Immediately on entering the
creek the horse was carried off its legs,
and washed down 200 yards. The vehicle then
capsized. Moore, who is a good swimmer, managed
to land just before being swept into the
Towamba River, which runs with a very swift
current. The buggy was also washed upon the
same side as Moore came out.
October 10, 1902
'Bombala Times and Manaro and Coast Districts
General Advertiser'
* A Licensing Court was held on Friday,
when the applications of G. Arnold, of Towamba
Hotel, and Mrs. J. Pike, of the Great Southern
Hotel, Eden, for the renewal of the respective
publican's license were granted.
March 24, 1905
'Bombala Times and Manaro and Coast Districts
General Advertiser'
* Ex-Constable Lea has taken over the Towamba
Hotel lately carried on by Mr. George Arnold.
'Pambula Voice' July 21, 1905
TOWAMBA
On Monday 10th Mr. George Arnold who for
eight years has been publican of our hotel
and who through a series of misfortunes was
compelled to give up the business. He was
banqueted if I may so put it, and presented
with a purse of sovereigns.
The purse of sovereigns was presented by
Mr. G. Martin.
The guest of the evening Mr. George Arnold
touchingly thanked his many friends for their
expressions and goodwill and for the manner
in which it was expressed. He said he always
had tried to do his best in attempting to
advance the place and it gave him great pleasure
to know that his efforts were appreciated.
He earnestly trusted that the kindness expressed
and tended to him in such an open handed
manner as on the present occasion would stimulate
to a still better and abler energy in good
citizenship. Many expressions of appreciation
for the evening followed. The program was
further delivered by song and recitation.
Auld Lang Syne ended a most enjoyable evening.
Newspaper Unknown
October 4, 1913
Mr. G. Martin is going to build a new hotel.
A good deal of timber is already on the ground.
This is a move in the right direction, and
will certainly be a boon to the travelling
public, the present site not being as convenient
as could be desired.
April 23, 1914
'Delegate Argus'
* At Wyndham Police Court last week, a well-known
coach driver was fined £3 for making use
of bad language while playing a game of cards
in the local hotel Mr. McCoy, licensee of
the Towamba Hotel, was fined £5 for serving
after hours.
June 20, 1914
'The Southern Record and Advertiser'
* Mr. Alf. Robinson, the present manager
of the Towamba (butter) factory, is applying
for a license of the new hotel recently erected
there by Mr. G. L. Martin.
March 30, 1918
'The Southern Record and Advertiser'
* Mr. Geo. Martin, Towamba, whose hotel
enterprise met with discouragement from the
licensing court some time ago, is now having
a cut for a wine license.
Wyndham
* Mr. D.J. Grant of this town is about to
purchase the Rocky Hall hotel business, Mr.
A.L. Twyford having purchased the former's
dairy herd and plant.
'Magnet' August 2, 1930
* Renovations to the Robbie Burns Hotel (Wyndham)
completed.
'Magnet' September 6, 1930
WYNDHAM
Messers Waterson and Son are nearing completion
of work on the Robbie Burns Hotel whilst
Mr. H. Watson is busy painting same. When
finally done the hotel will be quite up to
date.
'Magnet' 1930
ADVERTISEMENT
"Allawah"(I Camp Here) Towamba. 19 miles from Eden, on the main road from Eden, via Towamba to the Monaro Tableland. Entirely under new management. Cleanliness, civility, and attention our motto. Terms moderate. We solicit and trial. Phone 1. Mrs. Gait and daughters. |
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Janet (Hayden) Gait | Thomas Gait | |
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Constable Thomas Gait 111 | Bess with Rita Dickie nursing John Gait | |
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Thomas Gait with his nephew James Dickie | Jennifer Dickie's wedding photo. Valerie Gait (Thomas III wife) James Dickie with Jennifer and Esther her guide dog. .Back row: Thomas Gait IV, Bess, Rita & John. Thomas III died in 1954 |
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Above photos courtesy R. Dickie |
'Magnet' June 13, 1931
* Licence renewed of Mrs. Gaits' premises
at Towamba.
'Magnet' August 20, 1932
ADVERTISEMENT
"When you've finished work or sport,
drink Gait's fine Towamba Port." |
'Magnet' March 25, 1933
* Jane Elizabeth Gait granted a licence to
carry on Wine Saloon at Towamba.
'Magnet' June 23, 1934
* Towamba Wine Saloon licence renewed to
Janet Elizabeth Gait.
'Magnet' November 10, 1934
* Mrs. Gait and family who have conducted
the Towamba Wine Saloon business for several
years past and who have proved themselves
excellent citizens during that time are about
to leave for fresh fields and intend (as
announced elsewhere in this issue) to effect
a total clearance of their effects by auction
sale on December 8.
'Magnet' November 17, 1934
* Mrs. J.E.Gait who is relinquishing business
at Towamba announces an
auction sale of her furniture and effects
on December 8 . The Saloon will not be
closed but will be carried on under different
management.
'Magnet' December 22, 1934
* At the licensing court at Eden on Tuesday,
a wine license for premises at Towamba was
transferred from Mrs. J. Gait to Mr. Ambrose
Parker
Towamba Wine Saloon. Now private residence. Photo courtesy C. Boller |
Parker family outside wine saloon. No date. Photo courtesy M. Mitchell |
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'Magnet' January 5, 1935
THE PINES, TOWAMBA
Wine Saloon:: Accommodation House
Has again been taken over by Mrs. E. I. Parker.
Old and new patrons will receive the best
of attention.
MEALS at all hours. Best brands of WINES
stocked.
Fresh off the ice. Try it all!
TELEPHONE No. 1, TOWAMBA
Following the departure of Mrs. Gait from
Towamba, Mrs. E. I. Parker has resumed the
Wine Saloon and accommodation business there.
The premises have been thoroughly renovated
and within six months a new saloon is to
be erected nearby to plans that have been
submitted to and provisionally approved by
the Licensing Inspector for the district.
By advertisement in this issue of the 'Magnet',
Mrs. Parker extends to all past and future
patrons a cordial welcome to 'THE PINES'.
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Ambrose Parker on the veranda of the Towamba Wine Saloon. No date. |
June 22, 1935.
* An application by Ambrose Parker for renewal
of a wine licence for premises at Towamba
was granted.
WYNDHAM REMEMBERS
By Bernie Cornell
THE ROBBIE BURNS HOTEL
Land sales for Wyndham Village established
in 1856 were held in Eden in 1857, when Robert
Turbet bought the property on which the hotel
now stands. Turbet and his wife Mary Peacock
lived in Eden where he worked as a boatman
and general hand for the Collector of Customs;
and for a time Mary worked for Mary Mowle,
the Collector's wife, as a nursemaid. Mary
Turbet's sister Ann and her husband Joseph
Twyford both worked for Customs. Before marriage,
the Peacock sisters worked at Kameruka for
the Walker family.
In 1860 Robert was granted a Publicans Licence
for an inn at Wyndham which he named the
Scottish Chief. The couple had 13 children,
four being born in Eden and the rest in Wyndham.
The first born, Mary Jane aged six died in
Wyndham in 1861 but is buried in Eden in
an unknown grave.
In 1865 (Bega Gazette) the inn went up in
flames. A guest sleeping in the parlour reported
that he was awoken by flames coming up through
the floorboards. Six children including baby
Margaret narrowly escaped death.
The second inn was built and named the Robbie
Burns. Robert had come from Edinburgh in
1849 and married Mary in 1852. Mary and Ann
arrived also in 1849 from Ballymena in Ulster.
The half-time Wyndham School was destroyed
by fire in 1869 and lessons were then held
in the new Inn. In 1878, a new teacher Bernard
Grant arrived and boarded at the inn.
In 1881 he married Sarah Turbet. And as
Robert Turbet built another hotel, the present
building, in 1881, the couple lived in the
second inn until 1885 when they left for
Merimbula. At that time their new home on
the corner of Umback Lane (Oak Street) was
being built.
In about 1890 Robert and Eliza Grant began
construction of the Royal Hotel on the vacant
block on the top side at the western end
of the town. As the Royal Hotel was being
erected the Turbets began updating the Robbie
Burns. Much later in the 1930s the gabled
ends facing the main street and the kitchen
areas were rebuilt. From the earliest times
a large low shed for guests to house their
buggies and carriages was placed across the
road, next to the shop. This later became
the Blacksmith shop. Young Robert recalled
how it was his job to take the horses overnight
to the property owned by Turbets just south
of the Cemetery. His father also had the
mail run from Pambula to Bombala which he
rode on horseback. Robert died in 1894, and
when asked shortly before his death what
he would recommend as an aid to good health
replied that "a glass of whisky was
not to be despised". He gave generously
to the construction of Wyndham Hall, the
Presbyterian Church and laid the foundation
stone of the new school residence. Robert
and Mary Turbet are buried in Wyndham along
with three sons Peter, Robert and Walter
and two daughters, Sarah (Grant) and Margaret
(Grant).
After Robert's death the hotel was carried
on by his wife Mary and three daughters Mary,
Louise and Ivy until about 1908 when it was
leased until the 1940s. The ladies took over
the Club Hotel in Pambula but later moved
to Manly where they had a private hotel (Earl's
Court) until the end of their days. Young
Robert and Walter had properties south of
the cemetery hill. Margaret married Henry
Grant 11 and Sarah returned to Wyndham when
Bernard retired in 1903.
In 1948 Robert Turbet 111 returned to take
over the hotel again. Known as Mac, he sold
out in 1959, the Turbet ownership ending
after 102 years. Since then there have been
several licencees, and its character has
changed. The swinging name sign on a high
post, the burning oil lamp at night, the
ornate carved wood bar area, the tap room,
the wooden keg covered with a cloth lying
on the bar, six o'clock closing, belong to
the past.
In 2010 the hotel licence is 150 years old
and that seems to be a good idea for some
form of remembrance.
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Robbie Burns Hotel, Wyndham No date |
Robbie Burns Hotel, 1903 |
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Towamba Wine Saloon |
'Magnet' June 5, 1969
Towamba Wine Saloon Closes.
A business, which had very close links with
the gold rush days on the Far South Coast,
has closed its doors for the last time.
It was the Towamba Wine Saloon, operated
since 1939 by Mr Darcey Parker.
Known affectionately by locals as the "Plonk
Shop" the saloon has been forced to
close owing to lack of patronage.
The Parker family first became associated
with the business as far back as 1942 when
it was taken over by the late Ambrose Parker.
It was a flourishing business during the
days of the teamsters and the gold rush.