This document is a personal and nostalgic account by Max CS Beck, reflecting on his childhood and Bendigo's social history during the 1950s and 1960s. Beck's father, Reg, owned and ran The Crown Hotel, which became a central social hub in Bendigo after World War II. The hotel was known for its lively atmosphere, especially during the '6 o'clock swill' when patrons rushed to buy and consume drinks before the 6 pm closing time. Colorful anecdotes, such as the story of a severed finger prank involving a tobacco tin, illustrate the camaraderie and humor among patrons. Drinking was a standing-only affair, with heavy smoking and loud conversation common. The ritual of last drinks and the clearing of the bar at closing time were daily highlights. Sawdust was used on the bar floor to manage spills and, humorously, to recover lost coins and even a diamond ring. The influx of American soldiers during the war brought new customs and challenges to local pubs, including currency confusion and overcrowding. Beck's father previously ran the Canadian Hotel in Seymour, which was popular with American troops. Beck recounts his mischievous childhood, including borrowing his father's car underage and the influence of hotel patrons on his upbringing. The narrative touches on the loneliness of having parents who worked long hours and hints at family struggles, particularly related to alcohol. Beck expresses a sense of loss for the Bendigo of his youth, noting how much the city and its culture have changed.He emphasizes the importance of treasuring memories of the past without grieving for what is gone.Bendigo Advertiser "Life the bar" and "the day a severed finger was in a pub" Sat Aug 08 2022 3486.56a Max C S Beck in front of the Old Crown Hotel 3486.56b Colour Photo Beck's Hotel Hargeaves St Bendigo in about 1980 3486.56c Article from the Bendigo Advertiser "Life the bar" and "the day a severed finger was in a pub"bendigo, beck's crown hotel, max c s beck

314 page soft cover book entitled 'Around the Bend I Go' by Max C.S. Beck. The true story of a boy surviving childhood in a Bendigo city hotel in the 1950s and 1960s. The Crown Hotel in Hargreaves St. Illustrated with B&W photos. Published by Max CS Beck, 2022 Max C S Beckbiography, beck, the crown hotel