NOW a popular pub in the Perth inner city suburb of Highgate, the public bar of the Brisbane Hotel was the scene of a fatal shooting in 1928.
Constructed in 1898 on a distinctive wedge-shaped (flatiron) block at the corner of Beaufort and Brisbane streets, this pub is one of the longest continuously trading taverns in Perth.
Built in the Federation Free Classical style for developers G. & A. Y. Glyde, it was established to serve the rapidly expanding inner-city residential areas and accommodate travellers arriving via the Beaufort Street tramlines.
The upper level originally served as guest and traveller accommodation, with horse stables situated at the rear. In 1928, the pub made headlines when a fatal shooting took place in the public bar, sparking a sensational city-wide media trial.
On March 7, 1928, after a dispute with staff earlier in the evening, Edward ‘Ned’ Kelly returned to the bar of the Brisbane Hotel with a revolver.
Police were immediately notified of the threat, and Sergeant Alexander Mark arrived at the scene. Kelly fired shots toward a barman, prompting an immediate response from an unarmed Sergeant Mark.
Although he suffered fatal injuries during the struggle, Mark’s actions allowed the patrons to subdue the gunman and disarm him. Sergeant Mark succumbed to his injuries in the hospital several days later.
The following story of the police officer’s murder was published in the Perth Mirror on Saturday March 10 1928:
Fatal Sequel to Struggle in Hotel
“He met his death in the execution of his duty. . . His bravery was of the highest order. To save a life he lost his own.” This sincere tribute to the late Sgt. Mark prefaced the opening of the charge against Edward Nicholas Kelly of the willful murder of Sgt Mark in the Police Court this morning.
Fatally, wounded in a struggle in the bar of the Brisbane Hotel on Wednesday evening Sergeant Mark, of the Highgate Police lingered till yesterday after noon when he died in Perth Hospital from the effects of his wound. The shooting followed on an hour of hectic excitement. Kelly bad been drinking in the bar and being refused further drink had gone away, it is alleged, with the threat to shoot up the two barmen and the barmaids. In town he was quickly in the lime-light. Eye-witnesses say he fired three revolver shots in the shop window of Jack Cuneen’s in Wellington-street, and then with the smoking revolves in his hand went and sat in the chair of a nearby barber’s.
Before detectives arrived he had made off again and warning away the two lads who pursued him engaged a taxi to drive him to the Brisbane Hotel. Here events moved swiftly. Walking straight up to the bar Kelly is alleged to have drawn a revolver and fired a shot that was only inches astray of the barman’s head and shattered a plate glass window.
Another bullet crashed into the ceiling before Sgt. Mark and a bystander named John Tovey grappled with the gunman.
In the struggle the gun went off again and the bullet entered the sergeant’s body. Gamely he hung on till Kelly was disarmed and then was hurried to the Perth Hospital, while Kelly was taken in charge by the police.
From about 6 o’clock on Wednesday evening till Friday afternoon the sergeant clung to a slender chance for life. But yesterday as he gradually went down his dying depositions were taken, Kelly being brought to the hospital to hear them.
With the death of the sergeant the original charge of attempting to kill was altered to one of willful murder, and Kelly charged on that count this morning was remanded to Fremantle gaol.
A POPULAR SERGEANT
The deceased sergeant had been 30 years in the force, popular and a markedly, efficient officer. For some time he was located at Pinjarra where he was highly regarded and only recently returned from the long-service leave.
ACCUSED ON REMAND
Edward Kelly, who looked more at ease than the dejected spectacle he presented on Thursday, was charged this morning with the willful murder of Sgt. Mark.
When the usual remand for eight days was granted he was bundled into the prison van and taken immediately to Fremantle Gaol.
MAGISTRATE’S TRIBUTE
Before proceeding with the business of the court this morning, said Mr. F. F. Horgan in the Police Court this morning, “it is my sad duty to refer to the death of the late Sgt. Alexander Mark, of the W.A. Police.
“No words or mine can sufficiently voice the high opinion of him held by those who knew the late officer, particularly his comrades in the force. He met his death in the execution of his duty. What greater or more noble sacrifice can a man make?
“The State has lost a gallant officer, his fellow-officers a good, staunch comrade, and the public a most worthy citizen. His bravery was of the highest order. To save a life he gave his own. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his wife and son.”
Mr. N. P. Lappin, on behalf of the Bar, also added words of sympathy and a tribute to the memory of the courageous officer.
The last sad rites were performed this afternoon when Sgt. Mark’s body was borne to the cemetery at Karrakatta. The cortege was accompanied by many of his former comrades and by a large number of his friends. Sergeant Mark’s funeral was in many respects reminiscence of that of the late Inspector Walsh and Sgt. Pitman, who like deceased, were shot in the execution of their duty.
Edward “Ned” Kelly was eventually found insane and spent most of the remainder of his life in a lunatic asylum.
The murderer caused a sensation in 1929 when at the age of 57 he escaped from the Claremont Hospital for the Insane. He returned to the asylum voluntarily and was famously photographed by the Perth Mirror, returning through the rear entrance, a week later.
Edward Nicholas Kelly died at the age of 82 in 1957.
Picture: Perth Mirror 1929
Recent History
The building’s original Filigree verandahs were modernised in 1929 with front tiling, followed by a major redesign of the public bar by architects Oldham, Boas and Ednie-Brown in 1933.
After falling into disarray by the 1980s, the upstairs guest rooms were converted in the 1990s to house the Effie Crump Theatre.
In 2003–2004, the hotel underwent extensive renovations under hospitality operator Geoff Hayward, stripping back the older spaces to create the lush, bohemian palm-filled courtyard and modern dining spaces that defined the venue for two decades.
Acquired by the Prendiville Group in 2018, and later by ARK Group around 2024, the heritage site has begun a $3 million restoration. Current plans involve peeling back decades of green paint to reveal the historic original brickwork, constructing a new outdoor pavilion, and expanding capacity to accommodate up to 900 patrons ahead of HBF Park’s sporting events.
In recent years, the pub has been given a fresh new look, with a focus on food. On their website, the owners describe the venue as having a “local pub vibe with the quality of a small bar”.
“We have evolved through the years, becoming a significant landmark of Perth. As the years have passed, and the face of Perth has changed, The Brisbane still stands… if these walls could talk!”
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* Original 2020 post updated 2026
Categories: Perth Hotels, Western Australia hotels
Any history on the Norwood Hotel, a really old fashioned watering hole. Steve Spanbrook was licensee when I worked there in the late 60’s. Jack Flynn was bar manager. East Perth Football Club followers used to drink with Steve.