Our story
On the corner of East and Audley since 1910 — and licensed on this site since the 1880s.
The building carries 1910 across the top, but there was a pub here well before that. It is believed an original building extended back to 1882, licensed by the Coffey family until 1905. In 1883 Narrandera had twenty hotels — and one of them was the Murrumbidgee Hotel.
James, Thomas and Johanna Coffey held the licence until 1905, when it passed to Mrs Kate Glazier. Johanna Coffey was a pioneer resident of Narrandera, having lived here for 27 years. She and her husband came to Australia in 1878 and took up the licence of the old Murrumbidgee Hotel, running it until Mr Coffey's death.
Kate Glazier held the licence for four years, through heatwaves, a licence revocation and finally the demolition of the old building. She was said to have advertised the best accommodation, wines and spirits — and to have always shown civility.
The new hotel, 1910
The old building came down in 1909 and was rebuilt by Mr Daniel McLeish. The new Murrumbidgee Hotel was described as something "out of this world" — one of the finest and newest buildings in town, on one of its most important business corners. It still fronts both East and Audley Streets.
The two-storey brick building contained fifteen bedrooms, five parlours, a dining room, kitchen, pantry, three bathrooms, a bar and bar parlours, a laundry and washhouse — with an exceptionally wide balcony facing both streets. There was an adjoining four-room brick cottage for servants' quarters and substantial brick stables. The hotel had electricity, hot and cold water, and sewerage throughout.
The licensees
McLeish held the licence until 1914. Many have followed since.
| Years | Licensee |
|---|---|
| 1882–1905 | Coffey family |
| 1905–1909 | Kate Glazier |
| 1909–1914 | Daniel McLeish |
| 1914–1915 | John T Molloy |
| 1915–1919 | Margaret Shanahan |
| 1919–1922 | Richard H Potter |
| 1922–1924 | J H McRitchie |
| 1924–1929 | E E Osborne |
| 1938–1940 | John Anderson |
| 1940–1944 | Carl Frederick Dunn |
| 1944–1949 | Ronald Leo Browne |
| 1950–1958 | Annie & Vincent Imhoff |
| 1958–1979 | James Francis Roache |
| 1979–1981 | Conbrien Pty Ltd |
Today it trades as the Bidgee Hotel — same corner, same wide verandah, still the local.