A RICH PAST
The Top Town Tavern, known as “Toppy Pub” is the only remaining licensed premise in Wyalong NSW that has historic and aesthetic significance.
BUILT IN 1894
Top Town Tavern, formally known as the Queensland Hotel in Wyalong, is the only remaining licensed premises in Wyalong that has historic and aesthetic significance.
Mr. D Prince was the first licensee of the Queensland Hotel in 1894. In 1895 Mr. William and Ellen Wheeler purchased the hotel and for seventy or so years the hotel was in the Wheeler family, who owned and operated this venue, selling in 1966.
The Children of the late Mr & Mrs Wheeler were the trustee of the hotel, which held the freehold and licence for a number of years. In 1961 they leased the hotel to Barney and Betty Kennedy who manage this venue until 1966, when the hotel was sold to Bert and Audrey Fletcher. The Fletchers owned and operated this hotel until 1971, when Brian and Wendy Lochrin took over the leasehold. They ran this for a year, up until 1972 when Robert and Pauline Randell took over for 4 years.
In 1976, the venue was sold again to Stanley and Betty Smith, who changed the venue name to the Top Town Tavern on 28.09.1977.
THE WHEELER FAMILY
The Wheeler family grew accustomed to the “pub life” and owned/operated this venue for more than 70 years.
Mr & Mrs Wheeler came to Australia on their honeymoon in 1888. Mrs Ellen Wheeler came from Launceston, Cornwell England and Mr Wheeler from Somerset England. They lived in Melbourne for some time, where Mr Wheeler conducted a hotel keeping business for several years. They came to make residence in Wyalong after the goldfield’s broke out. Mr wheeler was interested in gold mining for a time, after which he purchased the Queensland Hotel in 1895. He conducted this hotel up until his death in 1911, when Mrs Wheeler took over the business.
Mr Wheeler was a popular man, an outstanding character. He was ardent and loyal britisher – so much so that he was popularly known as “British Bill”. He was the captain of the rifle club and and of the Militia for several years. Patriotism was strongly ingrained in the family. The eldest son, Henty was among the first to enlist from Wyalong at the outbreak of the Great War and was unfortunately killed at Lone Pine in August 1915. Their second son jack, enlisted in the AIF before he attained his majority.
Mr Wheeler passed away suddenly aged 47 years in Melbourne 1911. Mr & Mrs Wheeler went to Melbourne to meet their son, Henty for his arrival home with the Australian Cadets. Mr Wheeler fell backwards, striking his head on the platform of Spencer street station. He was taken to Melbourne Hospital where doctors had no cause for alarm, and Mrs Wheeler went to meet their son. On arrival back to the hospital, Mr Wheeler had passed away.
Mrs Ellen Wheeler passed away at the age of 59, in December 1923. Mrs Wheeler was unwell for several weeks before her passing at Mavville Private Hospital, Wyalong. Both in business and private life, Mrs Wheeler gained the highest respect and esteem for the community and friends. Her hotel was one of the best conducted businesses of a kind that one could find. Her funeral took place on a Sunday afternoon and was one of the largest that had been witnessed.
They had 5 children, Henty (killed in action, 1915), Jack of Sydney, George of Wyalong and Florence and Ethel of Wyalong.
Their children George, Jack, Florence and Ethel Wheeler were the trustees of the late Ellen & William Wheeler. They held the freehold and managed the hotel until they sold the venue in 1966.
Lance Corporal W H Wheeler – “Henty” was Mr & Mrs eldest son, born in Melbourne and lived in Wyalong with his parents for 20 odd years. He was one of the first volunteers to enlist in the Great War. He held the rank of signaller in the volunteer cadets and visited England for the coronation. Henty was killed in Action between the 7th and 14th of August 1915, he was 22 years of age.
Jack Wheeler was born and raised in Wyalong and assisted with running the Queensland Hotel before going to Sydney to complete his education. He then entered the AIF (Australian Imperial Force) and was an officer of that institution up until his death. He was a man of marked ability and exemplary character. Jack was ill 3 months prior to his death in July 1933, he was 34 years of age.
George H Wheeler and his wife, Lou were the licensee of the Queensland Hotel. They purchased the venue from the family after running it for a number of years. All the family, including Florence and Ethel contributed to the operations of the venue.
