From Boarding House to Community Icon

What began as a boarding house for construction workers in the 1920s later became a cornerstone of Theodore life. By the late 1940s, the town had a bold idea: why not own the pub together?

 

A First for Queensland

In 1948, residents voted to request that the existing lease be handed over to the community. 

​

By 1949, the Hotel Theodore Co-Operative Association was formed, with local Allan (WGA) Holmes as the first Chairman of the Board. A position he would hold for the next 25 years. Other founding members included Chris Letchford, Dick Freeman, Hamish Gunn, Ray Hart, Gerald Connolly, Fred Leader, and Bill Bloomfield. Each of the initial eight members contributed just two shillings and sixpence (25 cents).

​

Peg's Place

The function room in Hotel Theodore is named in honor of Peg Walsh. She was the first manager of the Hotel from 1949 to 1961 and was instrumental in the change of a Boarding house to a Co-operative Hotel. 

​​

Parliament Gets Involved

To make the hotel a true community operation, a special Act of Parliament was passed: the “Theodore Co-Operative Hotel Association Enabling Act.” On April 14, 1950, the government approved the lease of the hotel to the Association for five years making Hotel Theodore Queensland’s first and only community-run pub.

​

More Than a Pub

Hotel Theodore has always been more than a watering hole. It’s a gathering place, a symbol of local unity, and a key player in community fundraising. In 1980, the hotel association even paid $1,000 for the town’s disused pumping station to create the Dawson Folk Museum, preserving the area’s rich cultural heritage.

​

Still Pouring with Purpose

Today, Hotel Theodore continues to thrive as a unique blend of local ownership, community pride, and historical significance. Whether you're stopping in for a drink, a story, or a piece of history, this is one place where every pour helps support the town.​​