Mount Helena Tavern
A historic community tavern in Mount Helena, Western Australia, opened in 1902 as the Lion Mill Hotel.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Mount Helena Tavern is a historic pub and community venue in Mount Helena, a hills suburb in the Perth region of Western Australia. The venue opened in September 1902 as the Lion Mill Hotel, reflecting the timber-milling economy that shaped the district. It was later known as the Mount Helena Hotel before adopting its current name. Locals commonly call it “The Mounties.” The hotel emerged from the development of Mount Helena, which began as White’s Mill in 1882. That mill supplied timber sleepers for the Eastern Railway between Guildford and Chidlow’s Well. After White’s Mill closed in 1888, Lion Mill took its place. The area’s timber industry, railway junction and growing settlement created demand for a licensed hotel. Ernest Forsyth built the original weatherboard premises with land and financial support from timber-mill owner Richard Hummerston. The licence was transferred shortly after opening to Frederick Foweraker. From its earliest years, the venue served more than a commercial drinking function. Foweraker and his wife provided first aid for workers injured in nearby sawmills, and local residents raised funds for an ambulance chest and supported the organisation of first-aid classes. The hotel also became a meeting place for residents and visitors, hosting dances, public meetings, sporting groups, political figures and log-chopping competitions. During the First World War, Australian Army route marches from the Blackboy Hill training camp passed through the district, while the hotel provided entertainment for wounded soldiers returning from service. The district was renamed Mount Helena in 1924 as the local economy shifted from sawmilling toward fruit growing and poultry farming. In 1925 the hotel changed its name from the Lion Mill Hotel to the Mount Helena Hotel. Over more than a century, the licence passed through numerous hands, including Thomas Radley, Ethel Bullen, Cornelius Sheahan, Stan O’Grady, William Harburn and Murray Collins. Dannyel Broadbent has operated the venue since late 2013. The building is a single-storey, iron-roofed weatherboard structure beside the Railway Reserve Heritage Trail. Additions and verandas have accumulated over time, but the building retains much of its early character. Interior alterations have removed some walls, while original lath and plaster remain visible in the restaurant. Later venue improvements include an outdoor beer garden with a large television screen and a playground containing an orange train that recalls the area’s logging history. The tavern’s role in local social life and its association with the timber and agricultural development of the Perth hills underpin its heritage significance. It was added to the Western Australian Heritage Register in 2016. In the twenty-first century it has continued to operate as a food, beverage, entertainment and community venue. Recent recognition includes multiple finalist positions in the 2023 AHA Hospitality Awards for Excellence, a top-three position in the 2023 AHA Best Steak Sandwich competition and a top-three result in Triple M’s 2024 best pub in Perth competition. Media coverage has also highlighted its Australia Day celebrations and its use as a venue for viewing major sporting events.
History
Mount Helena Tavern developed alongside the timber and railway settlement that became Mount Helena in the Perth hills. The district began as White’s Mill in 1882, when a timber operation was established to provide railway sleepers for the Eastern Railway route linking Guildford with Chidlow’s Well. White’s Mill closed in 1888 and was replaced by Lion Mill. Logging activity and the junction of two railway lines brought workers, travellers and a permanent local population, creating the conditions for a licensed hotel. Ernest Forsyth built the original hotel, a weatherboard structure completed in September 1902. The land and financing were provided by Richard Hummerston, a local timber-mill owner. The premises opened as the Lion Mill Hotel, and its licence was transferred several months later to Frederick Foweraker in December 1902. Foweraker and his wife became important figures in the early community. Because serious injuries were common in the surrounding sawmills, they provided first aid and helped local residents establish basic first-aid capabilities after townspeople raised money for an ambulance chest. The hotel quickly became a social and civic centre. It hosted dances, public meetings, visiting politicians, sporting teams and log-chopping competitions, in addition to serving local workers and travellers. During the First World War, Australian Army route marches travelled from the Blackboy Hill training camp through the district to the hotel. The venue also supplied entertainment for soldiers returning with wounds. These activities reinforced the hotel’s role as a meeting point rather than simply a licensed premises. Mitchell Graham became licensee in 1908. The following year he was charged and convicted of watering whisky, an early example of regulatory and reputational controversy associated with the venue. In 1924 the town was renamed Mount Helena as the local economic base shifted from sawmilling toward fruit growing and poultry farming. The hotel followed the change in 1925, when it was renamed the Mount Helena Hotel. It later acquired the name Mount Helena Tavern, while local residents continued to refer to it as The Mounties. The property changed hands and management many times. Recorded licensees include Thomas Radley, Ethel Bullen, Cornelius Sheahan, Stan O’Grady, William Harburn and Murray Collins. A serious incident occurred in 1940 when Bernard McGrath was charged with the unlawful killing of Henry Tilbrook after a fight in the tavern’s car park. Following a four-day trial, McGrath was found not guilty. The building has been altered over the decades, with additions and verandas contributing to its present appearance. It remains a single-storey, iron-roofed weatherboard building beside the Railway Reserve Heritage Trail. Interior modifications removed several walls, but original fabric, including exposed lath and plaster in the restaurant, survives. The outdoor area has been upgraded with a beer garden and large-screen television. An orange train in the playground references Mount Helena’s logging history. The tavern’s heritage value is based on its aesthetic character, its long-standing social role and its association with the economic development of the Perth hills through timber production, fruit growing and poultry farming. The Mount Helena Tavern was entered on the Western Australian Heritage Register in 2016. In its current phase, under operator Dannyel Broadbent since late 2013, it combines historic surroundings with casual dining, beverages, family use, local celebrations and televised sport. Its finalist positions in 2023 hospitality awards, top-three steak-sandwich result and 2024 best-pub recognition indicate an effort to maintain contemporary hospitality relevance while retaining its community identity.
- 2024
Top-three result in Perth pub competition
[1]The venue placed among the top three in Triple M’s best pub in Perth competition.
- 2023
Hospitality award finalist
[1]The tavern was a finalist in several AHA Hospitality Awards for Excellence categories.
- 2016
Added to the Western Australian Heritage Register
[1]The tavern was listed for its aesthetic, historic and social significance to the Mount Helena community.
- 2013
Dannyel Broadbent begins operating the venue
[1]Dannyel Broadbent became the tavern’s operator and has continued in that role.
- 1925
Hotel renamed Mount Helena Hotel
[1]The venue changed its name from the Lion Mill Hotel to the Mount Helena Hotel.
- 1924
District renamed Mount Helena
[1]The town adopted the Mount Helena name as its economic base moved away from timber milling.
- 1908
Mitchell Graham becomes licensee
[1]Mitchell Graham took over as licensee.
- 1902
Hotel opens as the Lion Mill Hotel
[1]Ernest Forsyth completed the original weatherboard hotel in September 1902, with land and finance from Richard Hummerston.
- 1902
Licence transferred to Frederick Foweraker
[1]The hotel’s licence was transferred to Frederick Foweraker in December, shortly after opening.
- 1888
Lion Mill replaces White’s Mill
[1]After White’s Mill closed, Lion Mill became the principal timber operation associated with the district.
Products and positioning
A heritage Australian country-style tavern combining casual food and beverage service with family dining, sports viewing and community-oriented hospitality.
Food service
Pub dining
The tavern provides casual pub dining in a heritage setting, including family-oriented meals. Its dining offer is part of the venue’s contemporary positioning alongside bar service, outdoor hospitality and community events. The venue’s recognition in family dining and steak-sandwich competitions indicates an emphasis on accessible Australian pub food rather than a narrowly specialised restaurant concept.
Signature food item · 2023
Steak sandwich
The Mount Helena Tavern’s steak sandwich was recognised in the 2023 AHA Best Steak Sandwich competition, where the venue reached the top three and participated in the final cook-off. The available reference material does not specify the recipe, ingredients or pricing, but the result identifies the item as one of the tavern’s publicly recognised food offerings.
Hospitality experience
Beer garden and sports viewing
The outdoor area includes a beer garden with a large television screen used for televised sporting events. This setting supports the tavern’s role as a social venue for major matches, including AFL viewing, while also forming part of the property’s more recent upgrades.
Controversies
1940
Unlawful-killing trial following car-park fight
Bernard McGrath was charged with the unlawful killing of Henry Tilbrook after a fight in the tavern’s car park. After a four-day trial, McGrath was found not guilty.
1909
Licence-holder convicted of watering whisky
Licensee Mitchell Graham was charged and found guilty of watering whisky, an early documented licensing and product-integrity controversy connected with the hotel.
Marketing campaigns
- 2025Australia Day celebrations
Australia
The tavern’s annual Australia Day celebrations were highlighted in media coverage as a continuing community event.
Outcome. The event reinforced the venue’s role as a local gathering place.
- 2025AFL Grand Final viewing
Australia
The venue promoted or hosted viewing of the 2025 AFL Grand Final using its large outdoor-screen television.
Outcome. The event positioned the tavern as a destination for communal sports viewing.
Brand decisions
2016
Heritage registrationOtherBackground
The building retained historic fabric and a long-standing social association with the Mount Helena community.
Action taken
The Mount Helena Tavern was entered on the Western Australian Heritage Register.
Aftermath
The listing formally recognised the property’s aesthetic, historic and social significance.
1925
Rename the venue to reflect the district’s new identityStrategyBackground
The surrounding town had been renamed Mount Helena in 1924 as the local economy shifted from sawmilling toward fruit growing and poultry farming.
Action taken
The hotel changed its name from the Lion Mill Hotel to the Mount Helena Hotel.
Aftermath
The venue later adopted the Mount Helena Tavern name and remains locally known as The Mounties.
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