
The Royal Hotel, Dungog, NSW, 1924. Picture: Noel Butlin Archives, Australian National University
The McLeod family ran the Royal Hotel at Dungog in the Hunter Region of NSW for 15 years. Tom McLeod was granted the license of the pub in 1925, and his son, Arthur took the reins in 1931. The McLeods remained at the Royal Hotel until 1940, and were there when the old pub was rebuilt in 1939.
UNUSUAL CUSTOMER
When Mr. A. J. McLeod, licensee of the Royal Hotel, Dungog, opened up his hostelry for business this (Monday) morning, his first customer was a fine white cockatoo which walked into the bar in stately fashion and commenced to carry on a conversation mainly with itself. It was thought possible that cocky had experienced a ‘heavy’ weekend and had Mondayitis, so Jack found a cage for the bird find attended to its wants. The owner can have the bird on application to Mr. McLeod.
– Dungog Chronicle Tuesday 2 July 1935.
WIRELESS
Mr. N. T. McLeod, of the Royal Hotel, Dungog, has just installed a wireless set, purchased by Mr. G. F. Heath, local radio dealer. The results of racing, markets and other news is broadcasted in the bar. Patrons of the Royal are likely to be ‘full’ of information as well as of other things.
– Dungog Chronicle Friday 10 September 1926

The Royal Hotel, Dungog, NSW, 1939. Picture: Noel Butlin Archives, Australian National University
ROYAL HOTEL OPENING
At next week’s dinner in connection with the opening of the new Royal Hotel, Mr. Jack McLeod is inviting Mr. C. E. Bennett, M.L.A., to formally declare the house open. Amongst the guests to be invited will be the district State and Federal of Dungog, the president and shire clerk of Wallarobba Shire, the Mayors of Maitland and Newcastle, and contemporary hotelkeepers of Dungog, Maitland, and Newcastle districts. Some 25 guests will be entertained by Mr. and Mrs. McLeod.
– Dungog Chronicle Friday 24 November 1939

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Categories: NSW hotels
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