While the word icon gets thrown around a lot, Doris Goddard truly encompassed it. Publican of Surry Hills' Hollywood Hotel since 1977 — she ran the Belmore Park Hotel in Surry Hills, Balmain's West End and Newtown's Marlborough before that — Goddard was known for her no-nonsense attitude and late-night renditions for lucky patrons at the bar.
As well as being NSW's first female publican, Goddard was a successful cabaret performer and 50s film star, performing alongside Katharine Hepburn and Bob Hope in The Iron Petticoat and Alastair Sim and Bill Travers in Geordie.
In her later years, Goddard fought to protect Sydney's nightlife and live music scene, attending rallies and, when she was unable to make it, encouraging others to do so.
On Monday night, July 29, Goddard's passing was announced via her Facebook page — where it's reported that she "continued to sing to the end". Tributes from members of Sydney's nightlife, music and media communities have flown steadily since the announcement.
Former Chief Critic and Managing Editor at Gourmet Traveller Pat Nourse posted an unpublished interview with Goddard and her "long-suffering" bar manager Mark Symons.
City of Sydney Councillor Jess Miller said that "the night sky shines just a little less brightly tonight".
Sydney activist, MC and Former Director at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras James Brechney remembered her "remarkable life".
Motion, Sydney disco night organiser, posted a photo of Goddard on the decks alongside its tribute.
Sydney journalist and author Richard Cooke acknowledged her contribution to the local hospitality scene.
And prompted fellow journo Steve Dow to remember when she "sipped a red, strummed flamenco on her guitar".
I wrote a yarn on her 10 years ago. She sipped a red, strummed flamenco on her guitar, crooned Johnny Mercer and Moon River, and finished with a nudge-nudge limerick. She'd worked with the Goons, thought Spike Milligan a weirdo in a good way, although her fave was Peter Sellers.
— Steve Dow (@dowsteve) July 29, 2019
Local band Dusty Ravens recounted their time working with Goddard and linked to their song about the Hollywood Hotel.
We'll keep updating this post as tributes continue to flow in.
Top image: Hotel Hollywood by El Scrapeo via Flickr.