Blackburne Square marker
Transcription
The Berwick Inn / And Gordon Blackburne / December 2000
Originally called the Border Inn, Gordon Blackburne and the / Berwick Inn came together in 1947.
Built by ex-policeman Bain who originally lived on the border of /Berwick on Tweed in England. The Border Inn operated as an early / Cobb & Co. stop over on the Melbourne to Warragul run, with the / kitchen in the cellar. Gordon became a fine wine and food connoisseur, / a skill he brought to the Berwick Inn withe [sic] his wife Royalle. He worked / for Carlton & United Breweries and was a brewery manager in Gippsland, / hence his developing interest in the Berwick Inn, which he purchased / from Helen Struth.
Gordon served in the Second World War as Commanding Officer of / Morotai prison camp where his people skills became most evident. / Gordon was a real Australian character and portrayed with pride the / English country gentleman.
He was a JP in Berwick and because of his size and moustache he was / known locally as ‘Farouke’ the king of Berwick. The Melbourne Hunt / Club at Cranbourne would often meet at the Berwick Inn and Gordon / would provide a silver punch bowl to serve a splendid beverage to all.
Many quarry workers (now Wilson Botanic Park) and local farm hands / with piano accordion skills would also enjoy the end of their day with / bonafide travellers who came the required 20 miles to enjoy civilised / good food and entertainment at the Berwick Inn.
Gordon had a fine art collection on display to show off his bohemian / nature and love of creative arts. Artist James Flett re-created some of / Norman Lindsay’s famous nude paintings on a large mural on the walls / of the main lounge which drew many travellers. This did not please all the / locals and often provided random visits from the vice squad.Gordon’s most popular innovation was the conversion of the fine / courtyard into a beer garden, which attracted many families and created a / jolly atmosphere.Gordon Blackburne initiated the pond, rocks and waterfall in what / became ‘Blackburne Square’. All furniture and crockery in the hotel / held a crest which read ‘A sanctuary to good taste’.
Some of his friends and hotel patrons included Sir Arthur Fadden, / Field Marshall Sir Thomas Blamey, Lord Casey and many other notable / Australians of the time.
Gordon Blackburne established the legend, grace and class of the / Berwick Inn, which included quality accommodation and service with / fine food and wine and impeccable hospitality with English country / flair and style.
Surveyed on: 14 Nov 2010
Surveyed by: Shirley
Berwick VIC 3806, Australia
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