Harrison Cliff Ursula. Harrison Cliff Ursula. Harrison Cliff Ursula. Harrison Cliff Ursula.
Nyabing Inn
1968-1983
My memories go back to 15 and a half years of a dream about hotel life at the Nyabing Hotel. The 21st of April 1968 was our starting day. How we worked. We scrubbed and polished, washed walls, windows and floors to get things how we wanted it our way. Those hard working days we were so happy. We loved every part of it. Then we did some repairs – put a cement floor in the bar, added extra space on as well building a store room at the back. The power was a big diesel engine until we got electricity put on to Nyabing; it use to thump away day and night until closing time.
After finding out that the roof leaked (we had buckets everywhere to catch the water), we decided to get a new roof. Then we put a combustion stove in the kitchen remodelling it as well along with the dining room and bathroom.
Cyclone Alby ripped the shed apart. This meant a new shed and to catch the water we had two cement tanks added along with the back yard. Everything seemed to need repairs but we got there.
Many boarders went through the hotel. Travellers would ring from Katanning to see if we had accommodation. They all seemed to love the friendly atmosphere and were welcomed by everyone at Nyabing.
We always had good staff. Frank Pratt was our chef for a number of years and Dixie Beattie worked off and on with us for years. A true and wonderful worker – loyal and reliable. Joyce and Wally Ramm took over from us so we could have a break (to go to weddings etc etc.) and help when we were extra busy (football matches, clearing sales or whatever). We relied on them always.
The town had no car park, no footpaths, no bins, but a beautiful town hall where wonderful dances took place. Tennis and cricket were in full swing and our football matches drew a marvellous crowd of people. The Nyabing Show was a big draw card for crowds and the golf club had a marvellous membership.
The school had well over 100 pupils – much more than the smaller count today. Teachers came and went some stayed and married. We also had some lovely bar hostesses that married farmers sons around the district. Farmers had some good years, all starting to trade farms buying out the next place bringing the population down.
When the grain bins were built at one stage, we had 58 men all stay at the hotel. They were jammed in like sardines; the shop was empty so we used that as well. (The Gilbert family had finished trading there as a green grocer and bread delivery place). How many hours we worked but it was full on. Twelve days straight – two days off that was time to recoup.
The beer came off the train, many times cartons were smashed as the train shunted to a couple of trucks. We often said Alf Markam loved to help Cliff bring the beer from the station. I’m sure he heard the train leave Katanning because he was always on time to unload the minute it arrived.
How happy our days were but we had lots of problems as well. At one stage we had a murder, a dreadful car accident where some native people ran off the road and I think in all four or five were killed. Two or three other farm accidents. With each thing that happened, the town was very upset – everyone was so loyal to the next one.
Our football teams were great. Owen Woods and Moppy Hayward came from Gnowangerup to play for us. We had an excellent team of boys – mostly farmer’s sons.
Cliff heard how the Pingrup Hotel was up for lease so he took over there for six or seven years leaving me to be the licensee for Nyabing while he was licensee for Pingrup.
One very hot Sunday we were trading late because the men at the bins were pouring concrete and asked for me to stay open till they finished pouring (their tongues were hanging out so we did). The next thing someone rushed in the hotel and told me the cops were here – of course I went straight and turned all lights off and told everyone to please be quiet. Unknown to me the policeman came in behind me and called out. How terrible I felt, thinking my name would be printed in the paper but I never heard another word about it (lucky me). I think the bin builders drank half a keg of beer after, they were so dry. I do think it was the hottest day we ever had at Nyabing.
During winter time we always had a fire in the bar. Women and men joined in there. It was a friendly place. We both loved our time there at Nyabing making some wonderful friends and still have some members of our staff as great friends today. Time goes on and some things have faded from my mind but years of joy and friendship will stay with us forever.
Good luck to each and every one who ever lived in Nyabing; it was such a happy town. The day we drove away to start again on something different – part of us stayed there behind us. Unfortunately, we had to slow down because we couldn’t stand up to the hours of seven days a week.
