| Historical notes: | STATEMENT OF COUNTRY
'Dorrigo' means Stringy bark in the language of the Gumbaynggirr people, the traditional custodians of the region (AIATSIS; Tindale, 1974). Archaeological evidence shows an increase in the use of the forests along the Dorrigo escarpment and plateau in 5000BP, (NPWS, 2015). To the South of Dorrigo town is Dorrigo Mountain and National Park, with World Heritage listed ancient Gondwana Rainforest and associated dreaming stories.
In the 1830s, first contact between the Gumbaynggirr of the Dorrigo Plateau and European colonisers occurred, with escaped convict Richard Craig joining seasonal hunting trips. By the 1840s, settlement intensified in the area leading to conflict between the Gumbaynggirr and the settlers, and the forced removal of Gumbaynggirr people from their traditional lands. The boom of the timber industry in Dorrigo brought employment opportunities and a chance for Gumbaynggirr people to remain on Country, although as employees in often harsh conditions (2012, OEH).
ESTABLISHING DORRIGO
Dorrigo was established on the back of the timber industry. In the 1840s, loggers arrived on the Dorrigo Plateau in search of red cedar, setting up temporary camps. In the1860s permanent settlements were established in the area, with a track constructed by 1865 from Dorrigo down the mountain to the Bellinger Valley. By the early 20th century, the Dorrigo Plateau was known to be a fertile place highly suited to livestock farming (including a thriving dairy industry) and potato growing (SMH, 2008).
The construction of the Dorrigo to Glenreagh Railway in 1914 was complex and expensive due to terrain, and took a decade to complete, opening in 1924 (Tallowood Mountain Rail Trail, 2024). The railway provided a crucial link for transporting people, timber and produce.
GREEK MIGRANTS IN THE 20TH CENTURY
Greeks have been a part of the Australian story since the early days of the colony. In 1829, a group of 7 Corfiot men were convicted of piracy and transported to NSW. They were pardoned, with some staying as free settlers (Neos Kosmos, 2020). From the mid-19th century, migration to Australia was growing as transportation of convicts came to an end. The gold rush provided an incentive as people sought to make their fortune on the goldfields.
With the waning of the gold rush, many Greeks did not realise their plans of heading home - instead becoming merchants, miners and farmers (Neo Kosmos, 2020). Over the 20th century, they would be joined by higher numbers of Greek migrants, often leaving conflicts, including the Greco-Turkish War, World Wars and Greek Civil War. In 1901, there were 302 Greeks in NSW, however by 1911 there were 1,798 Greek-born people (ABS, 1901 and 1911). Many Greeks moved to regional locations in pursuit of a lifestyle more like that of their villages at home.
In 1911, 15 year old Michael Feros migrated from the island of Kythira (then Serigo), an Ionian Island. By 1919, Mr Feros was living in Dorrigo and had established the Dorrigo Oyster Saloon & Refreshment Rooms (The Don Dorrigo Gazette and Guy Fawkes Advocate (DDGGFA), 1919). In 1922, Mr Feros applied for naturalisation, then living at Cudgery Street in Dorrigo and described as a fruiterer and saloon keeper (DDGGFA, 1922). Mr Feros integrated himself into the Dorrigo community and held a number of important roles, including as Chairman of the Dorrigo National Park Trust, member of the Rotary Club, benefactor of the football and golf club, and member of the Parochial Council of the Church of England (despite being Greek Orthodox).
THE HOTEL DORRIGO
The land on which the Hotel Dorrigo, now the Heritage Hotel, stands was originally two lots, granted to Mrs Grace Donnelly and Mr William James Sinclair in June 1902 as part of an auction of Crown Lands. Mrs Donelly's land was transferred to Mr James Joyner in 1906, before being transferred to Michael Feros on 23 January 1922 (Certificates of Title 1415-176 and 5254-130). Mr Sinclair's land was transferred to Frances Edward Kilner in 1913 before coming into the possession of Mr Feros in April 1921 (Certificates of Title 2365-108 and 5254-129).
Mr Feros had owned many businesses in Dorrigo before the hotel. This includes refreshment rooms, a soft goods shop and a bakehouse. The bakehouse burnt down in March 1922, only five weeks after its opening (The Grafton Argus and Clarence River General Advertiser, 1922). In October 1923, Mr Feros lodged plans for the construction of a hotel at the corner of Cudgery and Hickory Streets. While there were objectors, generally local residents were supportive including a member of the Commercial Travellers Association, who gave evidence that the hotel was required to meet demand (Daily Examiner, 1923). The hotel was designed by architect Mr Copeman, with an estimated cost of 12,300 pounds. The application was granted in November 1923, for a brick building of two storeys (DDGGFA, 1923).
The Hotel Dorrigo was financed in part by Tooth & Co Ltd, a successful brewing company founded in 1835 and incorporated in 1888. Tooth & Co owned and operated pubs across NSW, with a loan scheme which required pubs to sell Tooth & Co beer exclusively. It was the financial backing of Tooth & Co which allowed Mr Feros to open the splendid Hotel Dorrigo, as noted by the local newspaper at the hotels opening, "If Mr Feros had not had Messrs Tooth and Co. behind him, the Hotel Dorrigo could not have materialisedhe did not have the money to erect such a fine building" (DDGGFA, 1925).
The Hotel Dorrigo was opened on the 13 August 1925 and was described at the time as "one of the finest hotels in the State", equipped with electric lighting, hot water and sewerage (Coffs Harbour Advocate, 1925). The opening was a splendid affair, with music and free drinks for the attending townspeople, followed by a banquet. For the first four years, Tooth & Co products comprised 100% of the total trade of the Hotel (Tooth & Co, 1929). The Hotel was the home of Michael Feros, and his wife Elene.
Anticipating the extension of the rail line to Guyra, and an increase of tourism, the Feros' invested a further 5000 pounds to upgrade the restaurant of the hotel in 1928 (the Daily Telegraph, 1928). While the extension to the railway did not eventuate, tourism grew and the Hotel Dorrigo was seen as an important part of that. Local papers noted Mr Feros was "progressive in his ideas. He realises the necessity of good service and practices itthe tourist traffic depends on the standard of his house" (DDGGFA, 1930).
In 1936, the Feros' gained approval to extend the premises by 52 ft on the southern end, providing 18 additional bedrooms, bathrooms and sewerage. Mr Feros was congratulated at the time by the Licensing Board for his forethought in anticipating growing tourism to the region (Daily Examiner, 1936). The cost of the addition was noted to be 3,100 pounds (Tooth & Co, 1938). The family hosted an essay competition for the local schools to celebrate the opening of the 1936 extension, with the fees for entering the essay competition donated to the local hospital (DDGGFA, 1936)
Despite his naturalisation, Mr Feros and the hotel retained a connection to the Greek community over the years. In 1929, the hotel hosted the Consul General for Greece in Australia along with the secretary to the Greek Cathedral in Sydney (DDGGFA, 1929). In 1941, the hotel staff including Mr Feros organised and supported a ball fundraising for the Greek War Fund (DDGGFA, 1941). Following the ball, Mr Feros gifted a Greek flag to the town of Dorrigo in gratitude for the community's support. In 1950, the hotel was host to a baptism celebration following the holding of a Greek Liturgy in St Stephen's Church, an Anglican church (DDGGFA, 1950). The hotel remains in the ownership of the Feros family even after Mr Feros' death in 1969, passing to his son Peter who continues to run the hotel. In 2025, the hotel celebrates its centenary. |