Licensee
- 1878-1913 – Phillip Madigan
- 1914 – 1819 – Mary Madigan
- 1919-1924 – James Low
Location
Newtown, North Araluen
In the news
In Tales of the Goldfields, published in 1938, Will Carter remembers Phil Madigan (‘The Perseverance’)1Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 – 1938), Wednesday 14 December 1938, p 7 who ‘never would allow a pack of cards to enter his house, and who graded a man’s drinks down from a tumbler to a thimbleful and then said: “Now you’ve had enough, get home to your wife”.’
In November 1884, the Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser newspaper reported ‘that the engine property of Messrs. Myles and Co., which was carried away at Araluen in a big flood at the latter end of 1870, has been extricated from the creek and drawn to Phillip Madigan’s Perseverance Inn, 2Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860-1947), Thursday 6 November 1884, p 2 where it now remains until it can be disposed of. It is uninjured, and could be put to work immediately.’
In July 1884, the Bega Gazette and Eden District and Southern Coast Advertiser newspapers reported ‘the Rev. T. Harnett, Roman Catholic clergyman of Araluen, has left and will be succeeded by the Rev. Father Murphy. A dinner was held at Mr. P. Madigan’s Perseverance Inn 3Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser (NSW : 1865-1899), Wednesday 9 July 1884, p 2 Newtown, with a valedictory address and a purse-of fifty four sovereigns given.’
At Araluen in July 1886, Dr. Cummings was called to see a man named Patrick Doyle at Phillip Madigan’s Perseverance Hotel.4Goulburn Herald (NSW : 1881-1907), Thursday 15 July 1886, p 2 ‘It seems that on Saturday evening a notorious character threw a stone at Doyle, which struck him on the forehead. This led to a scuffle, when Doyle was stabbed in the left arm, a wound several inches in length being inflicted, penetrating the muscles. The assailant got away on Saturday and has not yet been caught.’
In March 1905, the Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal5Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal (NSW : 1888-1954), Wednesday 8 March 1905, p 2 reported ‘tramping downhill is supposed to be easy work as put against climbing up, but it shakes the legs and is not so delightful as those who never walk suppose. He says it was very pleasant indeed to once more enter within the portals of the Perseverance Hotel, and find oneself remembered and warmly greeted by its good and evergreen host, Mr. Phil. Madigan. A clean, homely, well-kept hotel is always a pleasure when found by those whose vocations may take them into all parts and every conceivable variety of resting place. The hostelry in question has in no way diminished in the excellence of its ways and good name. One thoroughly enjoyed stretching one’s weary limbs on a chair on the verandah when refreshed by a nip of the “real stuff”.’
On 13 April 1910, the Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal6Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal (NSW : 1888-1954), Wednesday 13 April 1910, p 2 reported that ‘Mr. P. Madigan intends shortly offering for sale by tender his well-known hotel at Newtown together with cottages and land adjoining the premises. As Mr. Madigan’s health has been very unsatisfactory of late it is his intention to retire from business and reside in the city.’
The Australian Worker reported in December 1913, ‘It doesn’t often happen that a publican has his name over the same hotel door for 35 years. But the feat was accomplished by Mr. Phillip Madigan7Australian Worker (Sydney, NSW : 1913-1950), Thursday 25 December 1913, p 5 who kept the aptly-named Perseverance Hotel at Araluen, N.S.W, who died last week in his 83rd year’.
On 18 December 1913, the Goulburn Evening Penny Post8Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW : 1881-1940), Thursday 18 December 1913, p 4 published an article titled ‘Death of Araluen Pioneer’. ‘Mr. Phillip Madigan, of Araluen, died at his daughter’s residence, Haberfield, on Tuesday, December 1913. Mr. Madigan was one of the pioneers at Araluen, and was well versed in all the old-fashioned methods of mining. For thirty-five years he kept the Perseverance Hotel and was much respected in the Valley. He leaves a wife and eight children.’
The Braidwood Review 9Braidwood Review and District Advocate (NSW: 1914 – 1954), Tuesday 14 May 1918, page 2 advises “Mr. Jas. Low took over the Perseverance Hotel at Araluen last week [May 1918] .”
In March 1924,10Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal (NSW : 1888-1954), Friday 14 March 1924, p 2 James Low, owner and licensee of the Perseverance Hotel, North Araluen, was cited to appear to show cause to the Licensing Reduction Board as to why his hotel should not be delicensed. The licensing inspector for the district, Sergeant Lynch, gave evidence that ‘while the business has been conducted satisfactorily, the hotel is situated at North Araluen not in the business part of the town, and another hotel, the Araluen Arms (also called to show cause), was situated one and three-quarter miles away.’ Lynch said ‘I do not think two hotels are necessary at Araluen at the present time. I think [only] one hotel is necessary for the convenience of the public.’
Sadly, the Perseverance Hotel building was completely destroyed by fire on 24 May 1990,11 Chris Woodland. Araluen. A History through Photographs c. 1840–2000. Snap Printing, Williamstown, VIC. 2014. p 40 on the day previously called Empire Day, and then known more colloquially as cracker night.