Theodore continued to hold the licence until 1885, but Margaret Jane Glover was again the licensee in 1886, by which time the name had been changed to The Royal Hotel. It is not known how long Mrs Glover continued to be licensee, but the tenure of the enterprise went to George Lane in the 1890s and the venue became known colloquially as ‘Lane’s Royal Hotel’, a tradition which would continue later when the Glass family owned the hotel and the pub became known as ‘Glass’ Royal Hotel’.
The hotel had the rare distinction of not being catastrophically affected by fire, even though a major blaze threatened the commercial district of Fox Street in 1884, and again in 1927. This latest blaze was during the ownership of Martin Walsh, during which time the Royal, which was a two-storey building of weatherboard construction, was extended considerably along the Wee Waa Lane frontage.
In 1933 a Tooths representative reported in hand-written notations that the hotel was a wooden building in good repair, had a large dining room, 14 bedrooms and a large bar with excellent furnishings, going on to add; “(The) Royal Hotel is on main street at end of business centre. It is the only second class hotel in the town and is quite up to first class standard. Mrs Wacken says the second class trade pay her better.’“
Gwydir Hotels Pty Ltd took over the freehold on the building in 1947 and re-named the Royal Hotel the Oasis Hotel. The hotel became the enterprise of Athol Hepburn White in 1958 that continued for over twenty years, a storied part of the hotel’s history that would bring this humble ‘second class’ hotel to national media attention.
The old wooden two-storey building was subsequently demolished and new hotel premises erected in around 1960, the same year which launched a significant decade for First Australians who received the right to vote in federal elections in 1962, and would subsequently be counted in census tallies following a national referendum in 1967. However, in 1964, it was for the restriction of civil liberties that the Oasis Hotel was brought to the nation’s attention, when a policy of segregation was revealed, encapsulated in the sign on the door saying ‘Aboriginals by Invertation Only’ – (‘the hotel’s spelling’ as the Sydney Tribune was quick to point out).
This (and other related incidents) prompted a public meeting which:
“…included local Aborigine leaders, Mr. H. Hall and Mr.T. Field. The deputation demanded that the proprietor end all discrimination.
The proprietor replied that Aborigines could drink in his hotel if they were properly dressed and if they presented themselves to his wife or himself to receive permission.
Asked whether this also applied to non-Aborigines, he said that this was only courtesy and applied in all hotels. He admitted that he had no proof of earlier statements that Aborigines were responsible for damage to toilets.
After the meeting Mr. Perkins and Mr. Hall were served in the Oasis lounge until Mr. White appeared and ordered them out.
Mr. Perkins later announced that he would sue the proprietor of the Oasis Hotel-Motel. Mr. Perkins said it would be the first legal action by Aborigines in attempting to break down the colour bar.” – Sydney Tribune, September 1965.
In a controversial move, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) provided funds to an Aboriginal-owned corporation to purchase the hotel in 1983, a move which prompted much criticism. The tavern-style hotel was still operating in 2007, one of Walgett’s most enduring hotels, but has since ceased to operate.
Pubs and Breweries of Walgett
While there is no substantive hotel currently operating in Walgett, the village on the junction of the Namoi and Barwon Rivers is a major hub of pastoralism and cropping, as well as a place of great significance for Aboriginal people. During its history, there were at least eight separate hotels in Walgett at different times – and a brewery.