This week, I’ve taken a look at a ‘Corner of our History’ — the north-east corner of High and Maude Sts.
Although I wrote about Canberra House a few years ago, it has been requested frequently of late.
So, I’ve turned the clock back to the 1870s.
At this time, I found the Farmers Arms Hotel; it was one of 10 hotels in Shepp at this stage.
The prohibition people were active, but not successful; not yet anyway.
Frank McGonigal was the licensee and the hotel was on the corner, facing High St.
It has been written that this hotel was established in 1862; I’m unsure of this date, but Frank was definitely there in the 1870s.
I can’t find any other licensee, but the hotel was “deprived” in 1922; and this means it lost its licence.
In 1928, Mr E.A. Norton bought the buildings for removal.
However, Mrs Annie Cavanagh must have acquired the land, because she built and established the Canberra Coffee House.
Presumably, the coffee house was very successful, because she later built Canberra House — a private hotel and restaurant (1929).
At some point, Annie (previously licensee of the Union Hotel — which became Hotel Australia) applied for a liquor licence, which was denied.
Local clergymen and prohibitionists had worked successfully against her.
They had claimed that an unlicensed hotel would still be profitable.
A pub with no beer?
It is likely that the potential developers, Messrs Hellier, Hanlon, Fairless and Summers (Shepparton Central Investments), disagreed.
In July 1940, Mrs Bowe and Miss Worsley took over running the property, but I’m not sure who the owners were at that time.
The WAAFs came to stay at some point during World War II, and the next purchaser was SPC Pty Ltd, which leased Canberra House to the YWCA.
I’m sorry, but I can’t find a date for this purchase, possibly 1946.
In 1949, the YWCA renewed its lease — and repaid a debt to SPC.
The facility, a boarding house for young ladies, was running at a profit for two decades.
During my last conversation with Murray Slee, he mentioned that both he and his father had auctioned the property at different times.
He didn’t remember dates, but his dad’s auction could have been 1928 and Murray’s in 1946.
Canberra House was demolished in July 1968 and sold to a developer, before becoming a Woolworths supermarket.
The Fine Food Centre was established in 1984, followed by the current food arcade and stores.
And nearby?
In 1884, Michael Halpin opened his first store; it was attached to the Farmers Arms Hotel.
It was very small with one door and one window.
At night, Michael would illuminate his gun display with a kerosene lamp.
Quite tempting, I imagine, for some of today’s youth.
Mick went on to bigger and better things.
In 1947, Andy O’Dea opened a pet shop, where Target’s door is today.
He also rented space next door to his shop, in which he had a number of billiard tables.
All this was a cover for the real business.
Andy was a good bloke and also an S.P. bookie.
An email from Peter Chuck, some time ago, reminded me of Courtney’s Fruit and Vegetable shop.
It was in Maude St, and, I think, next door to Canberra House.
When the Astor Theatre was in action, it was the nearest place to visit at interval.
Courtney’s turned itself into a café when required.
Peter said they supplied the Taiwan with vegetables until Mr Courtney retired.
I don’t have dates for this one, although several ice-creams were purchased for me in the late ’50s and early ’60s.
That’s all for now.
Next week, I’d like to tell you about an interesting speaker coming to town in June.
Take care, and may it be easy, my friends.
Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Phone: Text or call 0409 317187
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