Charles Brock

Charles Brock was the long standing publican at the Council Club Hotel at 853 High Street Preston, opposite the Preston Town Hall. Brock took over the hotel in 1953 and was to hold the licence for over twenty years. The hotel had the reputation of being rough but Brock tamed it, maybe with help from his hiring policies. It was said that, to work at the Council Club Hotel, you had to be over 89 kg and 183 cm tall. Whatever the cause it was well known that the ladies lounge at the Council Club Hotel was a safe haven for women to have a meal in peace. Brock was still in charge in 1968 when the hotel was demolished and a newly refurbished bowling alley in Cramer Street became the new Council Club Hotel.

Edge, Gary (2004). Surviving the six o’clock swill: a history of Darebin’s hotels. Melbourne: Darebin Libraries.

(1975, February 18). Preston Post Times (Melbourne, Vic: 1978 - 2001)

Sands and McDougall’s Melbourne and Suburban Directory 1864- 1974. [Microfiche]. (1974). Melbourne, Australia: Sands & McDougall.