Sportsman’s Arms

Walgett’s population was growing, with roughly 500 residents and six bustling hotels serving locals and travellers alike. Alongside the Sportsman’s Arms were other establishments, including the Imperial, Royal, Commercial, Telegraph, and Australian Arms hotels. It was a time of steady growth, with the town boasting not only hotels but stores, banks, a courthouse, and even a brewery.

The Sportsman’s Arms was originally licensed to Henry Wilson in 1884, but soon changed hands in 1885 to John Maguire, a man who would leave a legacy in Walgett’s social and sporting life. Maguire was more than just a publican, he was a Crimean War veteran who had fought at the Battle of Inkerman and spent years in service to the Duke of Manchester before venturing to Australia in search of new opportunities. After years of working as an overseer for prominent landowners in New South Wales, Maguire settled in Walgett, where he became the face of the Sportsman’s Arms.

The hotel was not just a business, it was a social centre, a place where locals could gather for drinks, community events, and lively conversations. However, life at the hotel wasn’t without its challenges. In 1885, Maguire’s wife suffered a serious accident when she fell into the hotel’s cellar. Later that year, a powerful storm tore through Walgett, and the Sportsman’s Arms was among the buildings heavily damaged, with its roof ripped away by the ferocious winds.

Despite these setbacks, Maguire continued to build a reputation as a warm and generous host. He was known for his love of sports, actively supporting local events both financially and with his personal involvement. Maguire’s prominence in the community was cut short when he passed away suddenly in 1887. His death was a blow to Walgett, as he had become a beloved figure in the town, respected for his kindness and character.

His epitaph proudly commemorates his military service:

“Beneath this stone lies John Maguire
Who under Russian guns stood fire
Who fought and bled at Inkermann
When from the Britians Russia ran.
He shed his blood in England’s need
And more than once did hero’s deed.”

After Maguire’s death, his wife Jane Maguire took over the licence of the Sportsman’s Arms and ran the hotel until 1893, showing the strength and resilience needed to manage such an important business in a frontier town. In 1894, the hotel passed into the hands of Samuel Carmichael, a newspaper proprietor who had owned the Walgett News before moving to Coonamble to run the Red Lion Brewery. Carmichael’s tenure was short-lived, as he left in 1895 to pursue newspaper ventures in Nyngan and Bourke.

The hotel continued to change hands in the years that followed. Nora Kenna took over in 1896, followed by Charles Vaughan, a prominent businessman, property owner, and magistrate, who ran the establishment for a short time. Under Vaughan’s stewardship, the Sportsman’s Arms remained a central feature of Walgett’s social life. He remained in Walgett a few more years after surrendering the hotel licence.

In 1898, Michael W. Guerin held the licence, but tragedy struck when his wife Annie passed away in 1900. Guerin left Walgett soon after and died in Morpeth just two years later. By 1901, the licence had passed to Edward Maguire, son of John and Jane Maguire. Edward held the licence until 1906, continuing the Maguire family’s association with the hotel. The final chapter of the Sportsman’s Arms came in 1907, under the licence of Joshua Weate. In a devastating fire that broke out early on 9 October 1907, the hotel was completely destroyed. Weate, who was away at the time, lost everything in the blaze, though the building and its contents were insured. The hotel was never rebuilt, marking the end of its long and storied presence in Walgett.