Southern Cross Hotel (Sturt Street)

For other hotels with the same or similar names, see Southern Cross Hotel.

Southern Cross Hotel

Southern Cross Hotel, 1887
History
Town	Ballarat
Street	Cnr. Sturt and Drummond Street
Known dates	1859-1964
Evidence	Building still in use
Google maps	-37.561053, 143.847694

The Southern Cross Hotel was in Ballarat, Victoria, <1859-1964>.

Site

The Southern Cross Hotel was in Sturt Street, on the south east corner with Drummond Street.

There is still a hotel building on the site, but it is now operated as a pizza restaurant.

Map

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History

Southern Cross Hotel, c.1860

Southern Cross Hotel, December 2011

1860s

In January 1864, W. H. Ford advertised he had taken over the hotel:

SOUTHERN CROSS FAMILY HOTEL. STURT STREET, BALLARAT. W. H. FORD. (Late of the Cross Keys, Lonsdale street, Melbourne), BEGS to inform his friends and the public that he has taken that old-established Family Hotel, known as the Southern Cross, which he has thoroughly renovated and newly furnished; and his intentions are to keep the best articles obtainable for the supply of all who may favor him with their patronage, which is respectfully solicited. Excellent Beds and Private Rooms. Boarders on Reasonable Terms. GOOD STABLING.

1870s

In September 1874, the publican William Pobjoy, applied for a temporary license to supply liquor from booth at the Champion Ploughing Match.

In March 1876, Pobjoy was exhibiting a native cat at the hotel:

An unusually large native cat, shot near Leigh road station, was on Saturday exhibited at Pobjoy’s Southern Cross hotel. We do not remember having seen so fine a specimen before in the colony. Mr Pobjoy will, we believe, have the animal stuffed and mounted.

In January 1877 Pobjoy was importing ice from Bendigo:

Some ice manufactured by the Sandhurst Company has been sent to Ballarat, and has been very well spoken of. A sample obtained Mr Pobjoy, of the Southern Cross hotel, arrived here during the hottest of the holiday weather. The parcel it seems was delayed considerably in transit, and had therefore been subjected to a severe test before being placed in the hotel ice-chest. However, it stood the heat very well, and its timely arrival when ice was scarce enabled Mr Pobjoy to supply it.to quite a number of sick persons for whom it was prescribed at sixpence a pound. Surely if they can manufacture ice at Sandhurst the industry should succeed here, as no doubt it would if attempted.

In October 1877, Pobjoy had an albino koala on display:

A very fine and we may add rare specimen of the native bear was on view at Mr Pobjoy’s Southern Cross hotel on Thursday, 11th inst. The animal is of the white variety (an uncommon color), and was caught on the banks of the Bass River, Gippsland. Mr Pobjoy intends presenting the bear to the City Council for the zoological collection at the gardens, to which it will form an attractive addition.

One month later he was displaying a trout:

Another trout was taken in Wendouree on Monday evening (says the Ballarat Star) by a lad named Carroll, who resides in Doveton street. The fish, which weighed 4 lbs. 5 ozs., was purchased by Mr. Pobjoy, of the Southern Cross Hotel.

In January 1878, Pobjoy acquired a giant earthworm:

There are some large earthworms, apparently in Gippsland. Mr Pobjoy, of the Southern Cross hotel, Sturt street, who returned yesterday from his selection, amongst other curiosities, has brought one of the above named species which measures in length no less than 6 feet. The specimen has been preserved by Mr Pobjoy, and is on view at his hotel.

In November 1878, he bought a large perch caught in Lake Wendouree:

A lad named May caught a Murray-perch weighing within an ounce of two pounds. The fish was in perfect condition, and was purchased for stuffing, by Mr Pobjoy, of the Southern Cross hotel.

In November 1879, Pobjoy again was presenting displays at the hotel:

A 4lb trout and a carp weighing nearly 3lb were caught in Lake Wendouree on Monday, and were on view during the afternoon, at Pobjoy's Southern Cross hotel.

1880s

In December 1887 the publican was the victim of fraud:

Henry Lawrence Fitzsimmons, alias Arthur Leslie, alias Henry Clay, was placed at the bar in the Town Police Court yesterday, to answer two charges of forgery. Prisoner had been remanded from the City Court...Fitzsimmons was next charged with passing a forged cheque on Mr Buchan, of the Southern Cross hotel. As in the previous case, the cheque purported to have been signed by Messrs Charles Walker and Cos., and was for £3 10s. Prisoner one day in October last entered the bar of the hotel and called for a bottle of brandy. His order having been supplied, prisoner handed Buchan the cheque, receiving £3 4s. in change. On presentation at the bank of Australasia (Messrs Walker and Cos., have an account) the cheque was returned marked “ forgery.” Mr Walker also gave evidence in this case showing that the signature on the cheque in question was not that of his firm. Mr Rymer, ledgerkeeper in the Bank of Australasia, also gave evidence for the prosecution. Fitzsimmons, who had been arrested in the Warrnambool district, made no defence, and was committed for trial on each charge at the assizes to be held in Ballarat on the 10th inst.

1890s

On 23 December 1899 the hotel was venue for Xmas festivities:

Bulch’s Model Band will play a select programme of music on the balcony of the Southern Cross hotel, Sturt street, tonight, commencing at quarter to 8 sharp.

1930s

In February 1935 the publican, John Millhouse, was fined:

John Millhouse, of the Southern Cross Hotel, was lined £2 for disposal, and men found on the premises, who had falsely represented themselves as travellers, were each lined £2.

1940s

In March 1940 the hotel was advertising as a holiday destination:

BALLARAT, the City of Statuary and Flowers. Spend your next holiday there. Southern Cross Hotel. Sturt st , op Base Hospital, handy to lake gardens, and all points of interest; modern service and cuisine, continuous H. W. service. Tariff, 8/6 per day, week £2 2/ S. H. BRABNER Propr. Tel 622.

In December 1949 an application was made to transfer the license:

APPLICATION for TRANSFER of LICENCE -I Margaret Carmel Moloney, the holder of a Victualler's licence for Southern Cross Hotel at Sturt street Ballarat, in the Ballarat Licensing District and we Thomas James Murphy and Catherine Teresa Murphy, both care of the Southern Cross Hotel Sturt street Ballarat, hereby give notice that we will APPLY to the Licensing Court at Melbourne on the 23rd day of January 1950 for the TRANSFER of the said LICENCE to the said Thomas James Murphy on behalf of himself and the said Catherine Teresa Murphy trading as "T. J. & C. T. Murphy ". Dated the 23rd day December 1949. M. C. MOLONEY, Transferor, T. J. MURPHY, C. T. MURPHY, Transferees. Davies Cooke & Cussen 422 Collins street, Melbourne solicitors for the transferor T. E. Byrne & Co., of Lydiard street. Ballarat solicitors for the transferees. EARLY & CO., hotelbrokers, Lydiard street, Ballarat Tel 868.

1950s

In November 1950 the publican, Thomas Murphy, was fined for unapproved alterations to the hotel:

Hotel Alterations. BALLARAT, Thursday. Thomas Murphy, licensee of the Southern Cross Hotel Sturt-street, was fined a total of £30, with £6 6/ costs, in the petty sessions today on charges relating to alterations at his hotel without a building permit. The building contractors, J. and K. Walsh, of Scott's-parade, were each fined £3, with £2 2/ costs, for continuing the work after they had been ordered to stop.

The hotel lease was offered for tender in November 1955:

HOTEL LEASE - BALLARAT CITY. TENDERS are Invited for a THREE YEARS' LEASE, direct from owner, of the SOUTHERN CROSS HOTEL STURT ST., BALLARAT. Licence fee, 1956, £723. Ave. trade approx. 11/27's. Premises comprise Substantial 2 Storey Brick Building. 8 bedrms., diningroom, kitchen, H.W. service, int sewerage, and LARGE MODERN BAR and spacious LOUNGES. All mod. equipment. incl. TEMPRITE REFRIG., auto. glass washer, S.S. sink. &c. The LEASE shall be for a term of THREE YEARS, commencing 12TH DECEMBER, 1955, at a weekly rental of £47, and tenderers are required to OFFER AN AMOUNT FOR LICENCE AND GOODWILL ONLY. The successful tenderer will be required to purchase the FURNITURE, PLANT, & EQUIPMENT as per inventory, for the sum of £3000. N.B.: This hotel (same licensee's hands for 6 years) is situate in a BUSY CORNER POSITION in the main street of the city, and is ideally situated should 10 o'clock closing eventuate. FOR POSITIVE SALE. Vendors' Solicitors: Messrs. T. E. Byrne & Co., Ballarat. No tender necessarily accepted - all tenderers notified. Tenders close Monday 21st November, 1955, at the office of the undermentioned selling agents, to whom application should be made for tender forms. Inspection and further details: EARLY & CO., Hotel Brokers. Lydiard St. Sth., Ballarat. Ph. 868.

There was an application to transfer the license in December 1955:

VICTUALLERS' LICENCES APPLICATION for TRANSFER of LICENCE.-We, Thomas James Murphy and Catherine Teresa Murphy, trading as T. J. and. C. T. Murphy, the holder of a Victualler's licence for the Southern Cross Hotel at Sturt street. Ballarat, in the Ballarat Licensing Area, and we Eric Seymour Chalk and Ila Gene Chalk, of 38 Kensington road. South Yarra, hereby give notice that we will APPLY to the Victorian Licensing Court at Melbourne on Wednesday, the twenty-first day of December, 1955, for the TRANSFER of the LICENCE to the said Eric Seymour Chalk, on behalf of himself and Ila Gene Chalk, trading in partnership under the style or firm of E. and G. Chalk. Dated 5th December. 1955. (Signed) T. J. MURPHY. C. T. MURPHY. E. S. CHALK. GENE CHALK. (I. G. CHALK). Messrs. T. E. Byrne & Co., Lydiard street. Ballarat, solicitors for the transferors. Messrs. Cole & O'Heare, 465 Collins street. Melbourne, solicitors for the transferees. EARLY &, Co., hotel brokers and real estate agents, 44 Lydiard street, Ballarat, In conjunction with THOMPSON. YOUNG, & Co., licensed hotel brokers, auctioneer, valuator, real estate, and business agents, 341 Collins street, Melbourne, C.1. Phone MU5038.

1960s

In September 1964, Alwyn Henshaw Harris, aged 69, of Richmond, was sentences to six months imprisonment for stealing 10 cheque forms from the hotel. He had 158 previous convictions dating back to 1909.

1990s

The hotel was offered for lease by tender in August 1992.

2000s

The hotel, and the former butcher's shop next door, are now a pizza restaurant in the La Porchetta franchise.

Community Involvement

Mining

• Cosmopolitan Gold Mining Company, March 1881, half yearly annual meeting.

Sporting

• August 1875, City Cricket and Bowling Club, annual meeting.

The People

• In 1859 the publican was G. House.
• In 1862 the publican was Samuel Erdis.
  • In 1863 the owner was Samuel Erdis.
• In June 1863 the publican was Frederick John Kenyon.
• In July 1864 the publican's license was granted to W. H. Ford.
• In June 1872 the license was trnasferred to William Higgins.
  • In December 1873 the license was granted to William Higgins.
• From at least September 1874 to March 1881 the publican was William Pobjoy.
• In December 1887 the publican was Mr. Buchan.
• Andrew K. Michelson, Proprietor, c1894.
• In July 1901 the license was transferred from Thomas L. Buchan to George Hill.
• In April 1914 the license was transferred from John A. Michelson to Stephen Henry Brabner.
  • In November 1916 Brabner was fined £5 for leaving the bar room door unlocked.
• In March 1925 the license was transferred from Stephen Henry Brabner to George Crameri.
  • In November 1926, George Cameri was fined £2 for having men on the premises after hours.
• In October 1934 the license was sold by F. Owens to John Millhouse.
• In February 1935 the publican, John Millhouse, was fined.
• In March 1940 the publican was S. H. Brabner.
• In December 1949, Margaret Carmel Moloney applied to transfer the license to Thomas James Murphy and Catherine Teresa Murphy.
• In November 1950 the publican was Thomas James Murphy.
• In December 1955 the publicans, Thomas James Murphy and Catherine Teresa Murphy applied to transfer the license to Eric Seymour Chalk and Ila Gene Chalk.
• In February 1964, the publicans, Patrick Bernard Hjorth and Annie Elizabeth Hjorth, applied to move to the City Oval Hotel.