But very few women were recorded as having influenced its growth. 

Margaret Carmody – Kooringal’s street namesake – was one such “incredibly strong and intelligent” woman, according to her 1941 obituary. 

She was described as one of the “best known figures in the commercial life of (the) town”.

Her grandson, Des Carmody, shared the story of his family name – a well known hotelier name – that all started with Margaret – “Ma”.

The reveal comes as part of The Daily Advertiser series, Rewind Wagga, uncovering the pastimes, people and places that shaped Wagga. 

While none of the drinking holes Ma managed still stand, her sons later built and managed The Tourist – which was located down from Romano’s, The Sportsmen’s Club Hotel – also known as The Sporties, Turvey Tavern and the Victoria Hotel. 

Mr Carmody said the boys – his uncles and father – had learned everything they knew from their mother. 

According to DA the mother-of-eight had made it on her own, following the death of her husband in 1914. 

“She was an incredibly strong woman,” Mr Carmody said. “She was incredibly tall, big-bosomed and business-wise.”

Ma’s family moved to Australia in 1863, where she was born.

The Carmody woman married Michael Carmody (no relation) in her twenties and together, the pair entered the hotel game in Victoria, before eventually moving to NSW. 

Des Carmody said Ma’s hotel was located where the Hume Highway meets the Sturt Highway, servicing travellers from Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. He said his father, Cecil, had been born in one of the Juction Hotel’s rooms.

When Ma moved to Wagga, she continued to manage hotels, acquiring the Royal George Hotel – located opposite the old Masters building – and the All Nations Hotel on Baylis Street – down from the Meyer store. 

The Royal Hotel then followed. This building was later demolished to make way for the Sturt Mall’s construction.

According to the DA, Ma’s hotel was one of the best known in the state, with sympathy telegrams having been sent from as far as Western Australia. Several sporting bodies were also named after her hotel as tribute.

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