North Gregory Hotel - QLD

The North Gregory Hotel opened in June 1879. It was the town's second licensed hotel building and has played a part in many Winton stories. One story is that religion came to Winton in 1882, when a clergyman of the Church of England arrived and held a service at the North Gregory Hotel. He created a suitable atmosphere, so the story goes, by draping a blue blanket over the billiard table and a red one over the cue rack. Banjo Patterson's Waltzing Matilda is believed to have had its first public performance at the North Gregory Hotel in 1895 placing the hotel as part of the legend of the making of Australia's unofficial national anthem. The original hotel was pulled down and rebuilt as a two story hotel in 1899. This second noter was destroyed by tire in 1910 with other buildings including the neighbouring Corfield & FitzMaurice Store also damaged. The hotel was rebuilt but then burnt down again in 1946. This fire coincided with a drought year, sapping the resolve of many busmesses to start dedit. the bowdrator dropped from 3,500 to 1,600 and civic pride was hard to find. The Shire Council surveyed the ratepayers looking for ideas to revitalise the town. It was decided that the Council should rebuild and take over as licensee of the North Gregory Hotel. The present building remains a testimony to the foresight of a dedicated group of people who believed that Winton had a future at a time, when all signs seemed to indicate the colludly. With a special levy on the local rates and a treasury loan, made possible through a special Act of Parliament, sufficient money was raised to complete the modern brick building. For finishing touches reflecting Winton's history, sculptor Daphne Mayo designed three sand blasted glass etchings for several of the interior doors. The scenes depict the "Waltzing Matilda" swagman, the district's primary industries and QANTAS. The opening of the new North Gregory Hotel in 1955 revitalised the town and encouraged local business people to rebuild and even expand their operations. The hotel was set up in the grand tradition with bellboys, receptionists. full linen and silver service dining facilities. In 1990, the Council sold the hotel to private enterprise.Bottleshop next door