Emily Elvins

(1862-1933)

In July 1903 Emily Junker became the seventh publican at the Grandview Hotel, replacing Austin Harkin who had held the license for only a few months. Emily had already led an eventful life, losing her first husband Dr. Robert Nelson Jack in 1892 after only eight years of marriage. Fortunately for her she appears to have found her niche as publican, remaining at the hotel until her death in 1933.
 
In 1910 Emily’s second husband, Wilhelm Hubert Junker, committed suicide. In April 1911 Emily’s eldest daughter Mary Peers (nee Jack) was the licensee; however by March 1912 Emily was again listed as the Grandview’s publican. In 1914 Emily Junker married John Elvins, the hotel’s book keeper. Emily soon found herself alone again as John Elvins left for the war. The ownership of the hotel was transferred to E. E. Elvins Pty Ltd and was occasionally leased out during the 1920s and 30s. These licensees were to include Catherine Grant in 1925 and J. E. Opie in 1928.  
 
According to Emily’s grandson, Peter Peers, who lived at the hotel between 1918 and 1927, Emily, known to her family as 'Ma', “… ran a good kitchen”, and was known for her efficient running of the hotel. The hotel certainly seemed to have avoided the frequent breaches of the six o’clock closing law which plagued many Northcote hotels. Emily was greatly assisted in the running of the hotel by her daughter Cassie Elvins nee Jack, and her son Carl Junker. The hotel was owned by the shareholders of the family company E E Elvins Pty Ltd until 1978 when it was sold to Peter and Betty Payne.

Cole, Robert K.  Index of Hotels 1841 – 1949.  (Unpublished Manuscript)

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