A Warrambool is the local word for what is elsewhere called a billabong – a gully or depression which holds water for a period of time, but except in times of high flow and flood, is not connected to the main river channel.
The first record of the hotel refers to the Two Mile Warrambool Hotel licensed to Edward Maguire in 1890. It is interesting to note that in November 1901 races at the hotel were advertised for Boxing Day. It was quite a common practice for hotels around Walgett to conduct race meetings and sporting events including clay pigeon shoots. Subsequent licensee were: 1901 – Peter Thompson, 1902- Mrs Thompson, 1904 – Charles Tee, 1907 – Oscar Webber Jnr, 1908 James Herren.
The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser in 1886 mentioned the pub as the scene, and inquest of an unfortunate accident:
WALGETT.
MELANCHOLY DEATH BY DROWNING.
On Tuesday, 2Gth instant, Henry George Kenrick, Esq., the District Coroner, held an inquest at Thompson’s Two Mile Warrambool Hotel, touching the death of James Fieldhouse, whose body was found that morning in the above watercourse.
The story continues with detailed accounts of a man entering the water in a perhaps reckless manner before disappearing and being found deceased sometime later. One of the jurors was reported to have said “as far as I know, he was sober at the time”