Decisions are made in the front bar Sir John Franklin Hotel
Barman Phil Lipschinski joined by long-term patron Peter ‘Wenks’ Wenke.
In 1967, Don Dunstan brought the end of ‘the six o’clock swill’, letting South Aussie pubs trade beyond 6pm and finally permitting women into the traditional blokes’ domain – the front bar. The ladies of SA left their segregated saloons behind, stepping boldly into spaces once denied to them.
Decisions have long been wrangled and cemented in South Australia’s historic pubs, as chat flows over chippies and folks barter over beers. It’s no surprise that South Australia’s decision-making history includes a few dubious ones…
The history of this pub goes back well beyond my 22 years here. I’ve been witness to some questionable decisions, and some important ones… it all comes out in the wash.
The Sir John Franklin Hotel in Kapunda is one such watering hole, a central hub of community in the small but vital regional town.
Regardless of the hour, no one drinks there alone— a mural of friendly faces clads the walls of its front bar, a visual history of the punters who’ve given life to the pub, even as it reaches its 175th birthday this year.
Artist, Danny Menzel, fondly recalls crafting it panel by panel, paying his bar-tab in paint over many years while studying as an illustrator. The first of them is dated 1996, depicting caricatures of the storied ‘Sunday Scholars’.
Says Danny Menzel: “That’s how it began, with a painting of the previous publican, Bob Booth, and some of his regulars, the raucous characters who’d bring the bar to life. It’s a snapshot of what the pub was like back then.”
If so, Sunday school certainly looks a little different at the ‘SirJ’. The front bar has all the hallmarks of a classic Aussie pub; its shelves stacked high with spirits and near every wall adorned with memorabilia. An external plaque recognises its namesake, the Arctic explorer and Governor of Tasmania, Sir John Franklin, while large signs inside document activities of a Friday night Social Club that’s nearing 50 years in age.
Bev and Peter ‘Wenks’ Wenke are both recognised as ‘Life Members’, with Peter having served as its President for some 20 years. The usual medley of meat raffles and other fundraisers play out, but Peter is quick to clarify: “We haven’t generated money to fill our own cups; we give to charity, and invest in all manner of social gatherings, Christmas parties for the families to come down to, that kind of thing.”
Phil Lipschinski can attest; this May, the long-serving barman of the SirJ will celebrate 22 years at the venue and who knows how many pints poured.
“The history of this pub goes back well beyond my 22 years here. I’ve been witness to some questionable decisions, and some important ones… it all comes out in the wash.”