Our History

The Hotel was licensed to Charles Zeddi

John Spencer was the proprietor of the Hotel. With Spencer at the helm, the hotel underwent renovations.

Margaret Porter was the licensee

The license was transferred to .Margaret Porter’s new husband, Victor Suhard

A cyclone caused major damage to the hotel in 1925, however, renovations were not carried out until 1947. A building permit followed on 11 May 1951, to erect timber-framed bedrooms for staff.

Stan Ball took over the hotel’s license in 1953,

Max McKay purchased hotel from Stan and his wife Jean. In 1966, the McKays built the first block of motel units north of Carnarvon, in order to service the hoards of new workers in the region. The verandahs were not enclosed when the McKays bought the hotel.

The 1967 Referendum that granted automatic citizenship rights to Aboriginal people were commonly referred to as ‘drinking rights’ because Aboriginal people were permitted to drink in pubs. This had devastating consequences for the community, with alcoholism causing the breakdown of families and increasing abuse and violence.

By 1971, the Victoria Hotel had increased its staff from 13 (in 1969) to 64, due to the rapid influx of construction and mining workers. It became one of the top five liquor outlets in WA. Buses were organized from the work camps and there would be 500 or 600..Read More >>

By 1993 Danny Vacca and Libby Bridge were the managers of the now infamous Victoria Hotel. As part of their efforts to renew the image of the pub, the motel section underwent a name change to Mt Welcome Motel. The new owners attempted to revive the Hotel and attract passing..Read More >>

In 1994 the Victoria Hotel agreed, along with other liquor outlets, to cut morning trading hours as part of a campaign to cut alcohol consumption. The opening time was moved from 6am to 10am, however, the late 1990s saw the closing of the hotel’s doors for good after more than..Read More >>

The hotel’s doors for good after more than 100 years of trading.

In 2013, Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) purchased the Victoria Hotel. In partnership with local and state economic development groups, YAC hope to return this iconic building to its former glory and transform it into a cultural and commercial hub.

GBSC Yurra Pty Ltd awarded construction contract to restore Roebourne landmark Aboriginal employment training model developed to maximise local training and employment A Pilbara-based business has been awarded a $4.4 million contract for the redevelopment of the historic Victoria Hotel in Roebourne. In June, Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan halted..Read More >>

Construction based school learning is occurring with the Roebourne High School commencing 29th May. This has involved 3 sessions teaching construction principles including pouring and breaking of concrete beams as well as building bridges.

Naesha Stevens (Year 12 student at Roebourne High School) has undertaken three sessions with local photography expert Diane Bartlett to document the Victoria Hotel and pursue Naesha’s career interest in Photo Journalism.

3 young men in grade 11 and 12 are undertaking weekly on site construction shadowing with GSBC Yurra. This is providing to be a success and the boys are demonstrating great interest in this program.