George and Mary Hammond were the proprietors of the Western Hotel in Barcaldine from 1886 to 1888
Mary migrated to Rockhampton from Devonshire, England on the sailing ship ‘Empress’ in 1863 (5?) when she was 3 years old. Her father, James Lock, was one of the first engaged on the Great Western Line, and the family later lived in Muttaburra and Aramac. She married George Hammond, aka Ah Ming. George appears to have changed his name from Ah Ming and is referred to by both names at various times in the newspaper accounts of the time.
Mary and George conducted hotel businesses at various places on the western line before settling in Barcaldine.
Mary and George had four sons – George Jnr, Tom, James and Donald. The family were musically inclined, and had their own family orchestra. As well as the accomplishments of their oldest son, George Jnr, their second eldest son Donald was bandmaster of the Labour Band in Rockhampton. Another son, Thomas (Tom) was bandmaster of the Yeppoon Band.
Closure of the Hammond's Western Hotel
In 1888, the magistrates responsible for liquor licenses in Barcaldine decided to reduce the number of public house licences from 12 by 1 – George Hammond’s for the Western Hotel.
The Western Hotel was probably situated in Oak Street mid way between Box and Willow streets – on Allotment 4 – next to Palmer’s Bakery.
It was known locally as the ‘Rip and Tear’, a name that George took exception to in a Letter to the Editor of the Western Champion in February 1888.
After the hotel was closed
After the hotel licence was not renewed in 1888, George got his carriers’ licence.
Mary was already conducting a general store. Its roof top sign said ‘G Hammond, General Store‘ but it was advertised as ‘Mrs Hammond’s Cash Store’). The store operated until the family made the move to Rockhampton in 1906.
Mary died in 1941 in Rockhampton, and George 20 years before her.
Hammond family band members
The Hammond family were very involved in the town music scene – including in brass band competitions. George (Ah Ming) was a member of the Town Band as well as the Salvation Army Band and the Friendly Society Band. George and Mary’s sons were also members of the brass bands.
Mrs Hammond, on the back of the group photo opposite, has written her address as C VII, Barcaldine. She was ordering a coloured enlargement of this photo 10×12 costing 3 pounds 10 shillings with a cedar frame and was sending 5 shillings as a deposit.
Someone else, probably Louisa Toms, has printed on the back 1 TOM, 2 GEORGE HAMMOND JNR., 3 GEORGE HAMMOND SENIOR, 4 DON
Information and photo supplied by Dell Scott, Barcaldine Historical Society.
In November 1900, the Barcaldine Friendly Societies’ Band took part in the Central Queensland Band Contest. The list of members in the band is a who’s-who of the townsmen at that time. Clearly, music was a big part of life in the early town. The article in the Western Champion (6 November 1900) also provided a description of the band’s uniform.
The Hammond family leave Barcaldine - 1906
George Hammond Jnr
George Jnr was an accomplished musician in his own right. He was not only a bandsman but also a pianist and composer. He commenced his musical career as a bandsman in the Barcaldine Salvation Army with his father. His brothers, James, Tom and Donald were also band members. At 20 years of age he became bandmaster of the Barcaldine Town Band.
After the Hammond family moved to Rockhampton in 1905-06, at the age of 22 years he took over leadership of the Lakes Creek Band, which had 35-40 members.
Later he composed and arranged a number of band marches, among them ‘The Fitzroy’, ‘Pansies, Purple and Gold’, ‘LCB March’ and ‘Roses Red and White’.
Goerge then took over the Municipal Band, and with hi committee arranged to have the band rotunda erected on the corner of Quay and Denham Streets. This band later became known as the Rockhampton Railway Band. George was then employed at the Rockhampton railway workshops.
He played piano at most of the prominent Rockhampton balls. Among other engagements were large functions at ‘The Mansion’, which became known as the Mater Misericordiae Hospital; and a private residence on Victoria Parade that became known as Tannachy Hospital. Both of the homes had extensive ballrooms.
As a bandsman in the Central District he won many trophies.
Taken from Morning Bulletin article, 7 February 1951.
