[Apr 20, 2013] Ingham's Pub With No Beer Festival (Ingham, Queensland)

[Guest DonningtonSmythe]

Lee's Hotel (formerly the Day Dawn) in Ingham (YIGM) is recognised as the official birthplace of Slim Dusty's Australian and international #1 hit "A Pub With No Beer". This year marks the 70th anniversary of the events which led to the song and on Saturday 20th April there will be a programme of events at Lee's Hotel to re-enact and commemorate the occasion.

 

In 1943 a convoy of American troops stayed at the pub and drank it dry overnight. Next day a local horseman, Dan Sheahan, rode into town looking for a cold beer and was disgusted to find he could only get a glass of wine. He retreated to a corner and penned a poem, "The Pub Without Beer", which was later published in the NQ Register. Gordon Parsons, Slim Dusty's song-writing partner, saw it, liked it and with some alterations it became the song we all know so well.

 

On Saturday April 20th, there will be military re-enactors, restored military vehicles, period vehicles, street stalls, displays and country music entertainment in the precinct around Lee's Hotel. A re-enactment of the American convoy will take place, followed by the horseback arrival of descendants of old Dan Sheahan, readings of the original poem by a bush poet and renditions of the Slim Dusty version by local musicians. Live music will follow and continue into the night.

 

This would be a great fly-away trip. Grab your family or a group of mates, kick the tyres, light the fires and head to Ingham for the day or the weekend. Council has agreed to waive landing fees for the weekend and there's ample parking at the airport, with fuel available on-site at NQ Aviation Services. With advance notice we should be able to arrange a shuttle to and from town (there's also a local taxi service) and there are 3 motels and a caravan park within a short distance of the airport.