Esther Lauaki
By Esther Lauaki
If the walls of Keilor Hotel could talk – the stories they would tell.
The landmark celebrated 171 years with a small gathering of locals earlier this month.
Keilor Historical Society president Susan Jennison said the history of the building and the people associated with it dates back to the Gold Rush era in the early 19th Century.
“There are so many stories entwined with this extremely important building, which is an integral part of Keilor region’s history,” Ms Jennison said.
“The Galway Arms Tavern, and the Red Lion were former names for the hotel.
“The last name change occurred in 1862 when Mathew Goudie bought the hotel for 1000 pounds and called it Keilor Hotel.”
Ownership has been retained within one family since 1862 – with the hotel now owned by Ray Dodds.
“The list of licensees, which are displayed on an honour roll inside the bistro area, shows a large proportion of women … because their husbands were not suitable candidates for becoming licensees due to gambling offences or other illegal activities and therefore they would have records,” Ms Jennison said.
She said that other notable milestones were also marked by the Arundel Road Bridge and the Caroline Chisholm Shelter Shed site.
