General News
15 July, 2025
History of 44 Scott Street
The first building in the town was erected on this site in 1867. Woolcock's Public House was here from 1871 until 1886, when Philip Woolcock died.
Clifton Laing was married to Elizabeth Woolcock and took on the lease in 1886 but left in 1888 when declared insolvent.
Melbourne solicitors Emanual Raphael and William Sanders took ownership.
Following negotiations with Francis Bennetto Woolcock the business was sold to John O'Dea in 1890.
Immediately the old timber building, which was set back from the footpath, was dismantled and the two-storey brick building was erected by 1891.
The current building was completed in 1928 when there was an addition to the northern end.
John O'Dea continued in the Hotel until 1901 and then leased the Hotel to Thomas Capell until 1903, John Mullins until 1906, Thomas Cato until 1910, and Frank Rudd until 1918.
John ("Poppa") O'Dea owned the Hotel until 1929 when the O'Dea brothers, Henry, Bill and James M. took over until 1935.
Henry John and William Patrick O'Dea continued family ownership until 1956 when Henry John became the sole owner until 1966.
Jim and Dorrie O'Dea took over until 1971 when Jimmy became the sole owner.
The Warunda Room, an alacarte restaurant, opened in the old dining room in November 1976.
Jimmy remained until 1978.
The O'Dea family was associated with this Hotel for 88 years.
From 1978 the Hotel had several owners.
Gary and Frank Pike added a lounge extension at the back of the building and called it Wally's Bistro.
They remained until 1982, then Lindsay and Margaret Heal until 1985, Vic and Maureen Watkins until 1987 and David and Tasma Wordingham until 1988.
Wally and Beryl Balden purchased the Hotel in September 1988 after it had been passed in at auction, the last bid being $342,500.
They remained until 1991 when Bob Fleming became owner until 2004 and finally, Chris Matthews and Ruth Hartney purchased the Hotel in 2004.
Since the extension was built in 1928 there has been a small "shop" in the northern end of the building being 40 Scott Street.
It was occupied by Insurance Agents for many years, the first being James Joseph O'Callaghan who remained there until 1942.
Stan O'Calligan took over and remained for another 10 years until 1952.
He was followed by Norman Tosh until 1957, Kevin O'Loughlin until 1962, Bill O'Sullivan until 1965, Peter Shore until 1971, and Gary Parsons until 1975.
Susan Blanks' Reporter Menswear occupied the shop until 1980 when the Christian Bookshop moved in.
They stayed until 1983 when masseurs moved in, firstly Bob McClure until 1987, Julie Hutchinson until 1993 and then Hayley McGrath.
At present the future of the building is unknown.
It was rumoured that a B&B was going to open.
We will have to wait and see!
-GRAEME MASSEY, WARRACKNABEAL & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
