John was a mystery man, he called himself a publican, yet his name didn’t appear on the hotel licencing registers.  Local folk later discovered that he had assumed the name John White, his mother’s maiden name.  John ‘White’ claimed he had business connections in other Victorian towns under the name White and wanted to retain these relationships.  The matter went as high as Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Standish.  Standish determined that a man who was in all other respects suitable, may keep a liquor licence under any name he wishes!

John Hayes was lured to Australia in search of gold.  Unlike many others he achieved a fair degree of success in the goldfields.  He was able to setup a successful storekeeper’s business in Landsborough, as well as operating the first Commercial Hotel.  His store was mysteriously burnt down in 1879 amidst disputes with local miners over his cattle on properties encroaching onto their mining claims.  With all records of money owing to him being lost, very few paid their bills.

Jim “Dummy” Perry’s humorous sayings and tall tales earned him a spot in Landsborough’s folklore. During his time, he was a rabbiter, shearer, shooter and even a bee keeper. He was a tall lanky and laconic character who never married and lived rough.  According to Dummy, marriage was a lurk where “you gave up half your tucker, just to cook the other half”.