Royal Hotel

Onetime publican and host, Patsy Duncan, daughter of ‘Shindy’ himself, wrote her recollections of the hotel in 2006…

LOUTH HOTELS AND PUBLICANS

1942-1959, recollections of Patsy Duncan.

“How would you like to live in Louth? I`ve just bought the pub.” It was 10pm at night. My father, Shindy Mitchell had just come home to ‘Landsdowne’ from a 140 kilometre round trip to check on stock on `Oodnadatta`, via Louth. This was the question he put to my mother, Margaret.

The year was l942. The Second World War was raging in the Pacific. Dad was in the Volunteer Defence Cor. stationed at South Head in Sydney. His tank sinking unit had been called up by the Defence Department, and it was at St. Marys under the management of Mick Nevins. Mum and Dad had seven children under twelve years. Lastly, Mum was a teetotaller. No wonder her reply was in the negative.

Hence began the start of the history of the Royal Hotel, later to be named ‘Shindy’s Inn’, with her many publicans over the next sixty-four years. Shindy bought the Royal from the Estate of the late Mrs. Emma Okely, a well known lady in the district, who still has grandchildren in the area (The Greens and Davis’). Mrs Emma Okely died 5th May 1939 aged 69, having lived in Louth for 45 years. Her first husband was Henry Gillett. She made money in the Melbourne Cup and bought the “Royal”.

The Royal was a lovely old building, made from red cedar timber, which ran vertically. There was a large bar with cellar underneath, 6 guest rooms, two parlours, a dining room, kitchen, front gauzed verandah sleepout, and quarters for the publican and family. It had a permanent cook and house maid. There was a second story with a dumb waiter in it, which housed itinerant workers, at the back of the building.

Sadly the Royal was to have only three more publicans. Jack McGroder was the first publican and licensee – his wife Flo and a daughter Jill came with him to Louth. Cooling the beer was a kerosene fridge in the corner of the bar. Jack was a good horse man and as there were stables down the back of the pub, much activity went on there. He trained race horses and had a lot of success at the local Meetings. Jack also had a few sheep and was a great help to local graziers during the war years. In the early fifties the McGroders left Louth and went to Dubbo to live. Their daughter lived in Canada.

Jack Letton our next publican and his wife Syliva came to Louth from Tilpa. Syliva nee Luffman was no stranger to hotels, as her parents owned the Tilpa Hotel in the 20’s. Jack introduced draught beer, a first for Louth. When the Lettons left they went to Dubbo and Jack had a very successful corner shop. Joy, their daughter, lived in Dubbo, and Maria lived at Carinda.

Frank Howchin was the next publican; he introduced a refrigerated counter to keep the beer cold. He and his family were there in the 1956 flood. Unfortunately, the Royal caught fire and was burnt to the ground. It was only insured for 500 pounds so a new hotel took a bit of time organising. Within days of the fire a temporary bar was erected where the diesel bowser now stands. The poles were cut and barked locally and the walls were corrugated iron. There was much help from family and friends to erect the building.

The temporary Bar was opened; Tommy Jones was the new publican with help from his wife Mrs. Eileen Jones,. Maxie, Sandy Boede and Cheryl Doe, their children, still live in Louth. It was unique, a tin shed, dirt floor, bar at least four feet tall, a 240 volt generator, a four door fridge , bottle beer, even Cleo decked the back of the bar door, compliments of Kenny Wilcox who was a great artist, and living in Louth at the time. Great times went on, dancing, music, sometimes the activities had to stop in order to water the dusty floor.

May 5th the new hotel was opened. Mum changed the name to “Shindy’s Inn” after my father. The new building was steel Econo building and arrived on transport. It had a bar, with temprite for the beer and a coolroom, ladies lounge, sleeping quarters, two bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, and double doors to the front of the hotel, single door to the side. One trouble – the transporter thought it was to go on the block longways and the single door to this day is at the front.

Frank McGann was the new publican. Eileen, his wife, was Shindy and Margaret’s eldest daughter. A new generator was installed, but it too, suffered similar troubles to the building. The carrier dropped it off right adjacent to the bedroom window, and when the engine was on the window always had to be closed because of the noise. That is where it stayed until John Duncan built a new engine room away from the hotel and bought another engine to compliment it in the 70s.

The McGann`s first daughter Maureen arrived and they had an opportunity to take on a Service Station in Dubbo. After all their wonderful work breaking ground, organising a completely new Hotel, they left. 1960 brought Jack Dunne as the next publican to Shindy’s Inn, he and his wife Laurie, with their young children, were well known in the area. Nancy Mitchell Margaret and Shindy’s third daughter came to help. And help she did. Nancy was very musical and, with a piano in the bar, she helped the bar swing with her lovely music. Many a musician joined in and guitar, drums and tea chest music rocked the pub. Jack and Laurie went to further their children’s education in Cobar and the pub was publican-less.

Bill Buckley was the new publican and his wife Edna helped in the bar and house. The Buckleys had a market garden and property on the east side of the River. Bill was a very loyal employee, very inventive in his field. 1965 saw Jimmy Mitchell, as new publican. Jim was Shindy’s nephew and his wife Barbara ran a good Hotel and were very civic minded, being on most committees in the Louth community. Jim and Barbara decided they wanted to go to Warren to a position on the water mitigation; they had a daughter, Karen, whilst in Louth. Dad was hedging, who to get to fill their place?

Fate took a hand. Shindy Mitchell died suddenly of a heart attack on 18.6.74, aged 68. Mrs. Mitchell and Eileen (Shindy’s executives) asked John and I to go in to the pub for six months to work things out.

John Duncan became the new publican and held the licence for 32 years. John Duncan was the son of Fon and Florrie Duncan and lived at ‘Glenora’. Patsy, his wife, was Shindy’s youngest daughter, and they had two children, Clare and Peter, who are both married and live in Louth. Clare’s husband Richard Sandford and Peter have the goat depot and stock trucks. So many changes in those years, the greatest being RURAL power in 1986, the Glycol Taps to cool the beer.

Some of the big events which have evolved are; Race week, Golf days, Tennis Championships, the Cricket Comp, School fete and the Car Rallies; but not forgetting the locals, the itinerant workers, the shearers, and local industries that supported the hotel over these years. John and Patsy bought Shindy`s Inn in 1996 from Shindy`s estate and retired in Louth 10 years later.

We were fortunate to sell to Cath and Dave Marett on the 1st April 2006 and thrilled when they asked that the name “Shindy’s Inn” be included in the sale. Ironically, although the hotel was always owned by Shindy and his family, during those sixty four years, neither he, nor his children ever held the liquor licence.“