Kairi Hotel

Kairi Hotel Founder

One of the first residents of the Warinlge / Kairi area was John Alexander Irvine. John was born in in Scotland in 1869 before moving to Queensland with his parents and brother David, around 1885 – 1887.

John was very much a businessman, so on the success of the family’s transport and supply business, he built a warehouse in Atherton in conjunction with Mr.A. Hollman where they traded produce and built tanks to store maize. They also held a wholesale liquor licence.

John also fared dairy cows, but in 1912, he bought the first sheep to the Tablelands – they were unsuccessful because of the constant wet weather. That same year John built the Kairi Hotel (on Irvine St), followed by a store, butcher shop and dance hall. John needed financial assistance to enable him to furnish the hotel, so he went into partnership with a Tolga publican by the name of Tom Reddan. The pub was first managed by Nis Nissen, then Mrs Neilson. John Irvine took over management of the hotel until the late 1930s, before he moved to his store which he managed until his retirement.

Kairi Hotel Building History

The Kairi hotel was owned and built by John Irvine in 1912. It was a well patronised establishment with many local timber cutters and workers meeting there on a regular basis. The hotel was the social centre of the Kairi township.

The building specifications for the Kairi Hotel that are dated 2 April 1912 stated

“The whole of the work is to be executed in the best possible manner and to be done to the entire satisfaction of the owner or his representative. All material used is to be the best material of the kind, free from all defects and to be thoroughly seasoned before being erected.”

“The Contractor to ensure the whole of his workman policy of same to be placed with the owner before he signs contract under the Workmen’s Compensation Act.”

Located with the records was a hand-written note that stated Boyle, Irvine and Reddan agreed to “Building to be completed within 4 months. Bathrooms upstairs and downstairs are to be provided. Also, a fire escape stairway to be approved by the inspector.”

Some of John Irvine’s specific requests were regarding the types of timbers that were used. For example, Yellow Stringey (sic) for the verandah posts, Kauri Pine for ceiling frames and White Beech or Penda for the balcony flooring.

The result, a charming 2 storey iron and timber (tongue and groove) building with a verandah extending over the footpath. The external staircase was covered to provide protection against the elements. In addition, stalls and a feed room were constructed to compliment the main hotel building. Three 1200-gallon water tanks were also connected to the hotel. 

Kairi Hotel Building History

The Kairi hotel was owned and built by John Irvine in 1912. It was a well patronised establishment with many local timber cutters and workers meeting there on a regular basis. The hotel was the social centre of the Kairi township.

The building specifications for the Kairi Hotel that are dated 2 April 1912 stated

“The whole of the work is to be executed in the best possible manner and to be done to the entire satisfaction of the owner or his representative. All material used is to be the best material of the kind, free from all defects and to be thoroughly seasoned before being erected.”

“The Contractor to ensure the whole of his workman policy of same to be placed with the owner before he signs contract under the Workmen’s Compensation Act.”

Located with the records was a hand-written note that stated Boyle, Irvine and Reddan agreed to “Building to be completed within 4 months. Bathrooms upstairs and downstairs are to be provided. Also, a fire escape stairway to be approved by the inspector.”

Some of John Irvine’s specific requests were regarding the types of timbers that were used. For example, Yellow Stringey (sic) for the verandah posts, Kauri Pine for ceiling frames and White Beech or Penda for the balcony flooring.

The result, a charming 2 storey iron and timber (tongue and groove) building with a verandah extending over the footpath. The external staircase was covered to provide protection against the elements. In addition, stalls and a feed room were constructed to compliment the main hotel building. Three 1200-gallon water tanks were also connected to the hotel. 

Kairi Hotel’s Previous
Owners / Managers

1912 – 1930
John Alexander Irvine (Owner)
1912 – 19**
Nis Nissen (Manager)
19** – 1930
Mrs Neilson (Manager)
1930 – 1938
John Alexander Irvine (Owner & Manager)
1938 – 1946
Jean Berkeley (Manager)
Assisted by her sister Connie and
Brother in Law Jack Wincen
1946 – 1953
John Irvine sold the pub to Mr Ferguson
1953 – 1953
Mrs Pettith (Owner)
1953 – 1960
Bruce McPherson (Owner)
1957 – 1959
Leased to Mrs May MacGregor
Renamed to “Mac’s Kairi Hotel and
installed Kairi’s first neon sign
Early 1960s
Lil and Bill Thomas (Owners)
1965 – 1966
Stan Foxwell (Owner)
1966 – 1967
Barry David and Myra Savage (Owners)
1960s -19**
No specific dates
Frank and Hilda Franzic (Owners)
Late 60s – 1980
Keith and Val Battle (Owners)
1980 – 2004
Eddie and Sue Wagner (Owners)
2004 – 2017
Paul Wagner (Owner)
2017 – present
Tanya and Pompey Pezzelato (Owners)

NB: Whilst all care has been taken to ensure this list is accurate, we apologise if any of the information is mis-dated.
Thanks to Netti Dunne for her assistance with this information.