The Royal Hotel Gurley has stood for a century, the cornerstone of the small community and a welcome relief to many travellers. Last night it burned to the ground.
Police and NSW RFS have confirmed about 8.25pm yesterday (Thursday 12 December) emergency services were called to the hotel on the Newell Highway, Gurley, following reports of a fire.
The fire was extinguished by a number of Rural Fire Service crews from the area, with the assistance of Fire and rescue, by about 10.30pm, however the hotel was destroyed.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Officers attached to Oxley Police District have established a crime scene, and inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the fire are ongoing.
Moree Plains Shire Mayor Susannah Pearse was among many posting their sorrow and memories of the pub to social media this morning.
“Country pubs are often the centerpieces of our villages and the Gurley pub was no different. A beating heart of the Gurley community and over a century’s history is gone,” she wrote.
“Whilst we know the Gurley community will unite around Tally and Cameron – that is just what we do – the pain is very real and my heart goes out to all affected.”
Tally Althorn bought the pub in 2022 from the McGirr Family who had operated it for some 60 years. It was first built and operated in 1913.
Top image: (L) a recent image of the Gurley Pub (Australian Pub Project; Facebook), (C) the pub on fire (Karen Munn; Facebook); and the scene this morning (
Don’t miss any of the important stories from around the region. Subscribe to our email list.