Anakie Hotel

The original Anakie Hotel was built in 1902 by James Cameron and his brother-in-law Harry Monk. They kept it a family affair with James’ sister-inlaw later taking over managerial duties.

Anakie Hotel after the explosion in 1971
Anakie Hotel reopened
Kate Burns with James & Blanche Cameron, Circa 1902

The Anakie Hotel had survived well over a century of hard times and uncertain fortunes. There must be hundreds of yarns but the one enshrined in local lore is when a Gemfields character, nicknamed Sparrow, blew up the pub in 1971.

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If he couldn’t drink in the bar, no one could! 

It all started after Sparrow fell off his perch (barstool) once too often and was barred for life. One night not long after, he blew up the pub with a few sticks of gelignite. The law was lenient – he was placed on a good behaviour bond with a fine. Unrepentant, he returned with the intention of detonating the pub’s gas storage tanks, before being caught and fined again.

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Sparrow’s perch 

Astonishingly, Sparrow was allowed back into the pub three years later. Mrs Gregory, the publican, relented:

“We gave him a talking to…. erected a steel post beside his stool and attached a seat belt… we made him wear his seat belt every time he came in, and he never fell off his stool again.”

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Where to next?

Welcome to Anakie – ///typecast.revisiting.bribe

Gemfest – Anakie – ///outhouse.bloke.grew

Boom and Bust – Anakie – ///vegan.conjured.footwork

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