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[edit] Summary

The Royal Hotel a.k.a. The Gundaroo Pub at Gundaroo NSW Australia

Bought in a rundown condition in the early 1970's by a youthful Ron Murray of Murrays Coaches, the Gundaroo Pub became an immensely popular party venue. Thousands upon thousands of Canberra citizens made the twenty-five mile journey - half of it over a very bumpy, dusty bush road - to the 'pub' to eat, drink, sing and dance the night away.

The night was sold to football clubs, school P & C's, Public Service socials clubs; family groups etc. celebrating birthdays, Christmas or just celebrating. The groups paid a one off per capita price with the fee paying for the bus trip out and back (In the early days the buses they used worked as school buses during the day!); as much beer, wine or orange juice as they could drink; a huge steak accompanied by corn on the cob and baked potato followed by good old Aussie fare of damper, jam and cream with a tin mug of billy tea to wash it all down.

Before and during dinner, the 'Pub's' minstrels would stroll from room to room entertaining the revellers with a strong emphasis on traditional Australian music and of course humour. The 'Pub's' owner was a huge hit with his accomplished didgeridoo playing and hilarious songs and demonstration of the Emu Dance. The evening would then finish with the resident dance band playing for dances whilst the braver folk went off around the village on a hayride.

To ease the boredom on the journey out to the 'pub' Ron employed a fake hitchhiker to wait by the side of the road and be picked by each of the buses in turn. In return for the 'lift', the 'hitchhiker/musician would get his fellow travellers singing and laughing along with their music.

There was no need for entertainment on the way back to Canberra as most of the passengers were either too sleepy or merry to need it. However, after consuming large quantities of fluid, a comfort stop was called for. This involved hopping over a fence and finding a tree and often caused much laughter as the headlights of following buses shone on hapless victims!

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