Allora’s Past 25 years ago February 1984
Health, Fitness and Recreation Centre
Approval has been granted for the funding of this centre which is to be built in Allora at a cost of approximately $300,000. Building is expected to commence in early April. Responsibility for building this complex lies with the Allora Hospital Society. Approximately $30,000 is still required from interested local people. Substantial donations have already been promised by Allora’s Apex and Rotary Clubs. Donations may be left at Allora Hardware, Allora Supermarket or the Allora Shire Council.

Allora’s Past 50 years ago February 1959
SPECIAL NOTICE
I wish to advise that as from 1st March I will be catering for all Babies and Children’s Sewing in the shop next door to Eastwell’s Electrical business.
        DORRIE BYRNE

Allora’s past 75 years ago February 1934
Historic Clock
Sixty four years of loyal service have been ticked off by the old clock that adorns the meeting room in the Allora Shire Hall. Last November, almost on the anniversary of the inaugural meeting of the local authority, it stopped. Despite winding and repeated shaking it could not be induced to resume its faithful work. Were it to be suddenly endowed with speech, it could tell many stories from the moment that it was first set going for the first meeting of the Municipal Council on November 20, 1869.
For many years the clock was regarded as council property but members have ascertained that it actually belonged to the first Town Clerk, Mr. Alexander Cameron, who held office at the time of his death in July 1882. They have decided that the clock should revert to his family and intend to present it to his daughter, Mrs. T. Muir.

1926 Fire
In the early hours of Saturday, 3rd April, 1926, the Allora Post Office, two shops which were the property of Dougall Bros., and three shops which were the property of Barnes & Co. were burned to the ground. The fire started in the tailoring shop of T. Donahue and spread south the Post Office and north to destroy the Allora Butchering Co. (D. & M. Dougall), a vacant shop, Rasch’s Jewellery Shop, and the Friendly Societies’ Dispensary.

Herbert Street Businesses
68 Herbert Street
February 1909 – The Allora Butchering Establishment, Holmes Bros.
February 1934 – Allora Butchering Co., Dougall Bros.
February  1959 – D. R. Weier, butcher.
February 1984 – D. R. Weier, butcher
Currently Allora Butchery, Grant & Jeanette Lollback.

Herbert Street Businesses
70 Herbert Street
February 1934 – ?
February  1959 – Vacant ?
February 1984 – E. J. & M. A. Nolan, Livestock Agents, Jim Leeson, auctioneer.
Currently part of Allora Butchery, Grant & Jeanette Lollback.
See Herbert Street 5 on this web site.

Allora’s Past 25 years ago February 1984

THANK YOU
Jim and Dorelle Anderson wish to sincerely thank all those who sent cards or offered congratulations to them at the time of the birth of their daughter Janelle Marie.
Please accept this as their personal thanks.

Allora’s Past 50 years ago February 1959

A Dance and Presentation
will be tendered Messrs. Dick Mahoney, Kev. Oswin, Graham Stallman, and Jim Brown in the Spring Creek Hall on Saturday Night, 28th February.
Yale Blues Orchestra     Admission 5/-
Organized by the Spring Creek Cricket Club.
       T. C. Telford, President.

Allora’s Past 75 years ago February 1934

Fire
Prompt action by staff and volunteers quickly extinguished a blaze which broke out in the ladies waiting room of the Allora railway station on Wednesday. The fire was first noticed by Eric Gwynne, a carrier, when leaving the railway yards. He alerted the Station Master, Mr. Davis, and rang the secretary of the Allora fire brigade, Mr A. R. Cunnington, who arrived with a bucket squad. The fire caused severe damage to the floor and ceiling of the room. Subsequent investigations by Sgt. McCarthy revealed that the fire had started in the sawdust box in the ladies lavatory.
Moral of story: Ladies don’t put your cigarette butts in sawdust box in toilet.

Allora’s Past 100 years ago February 1909

Allora Police Court
The sensational happenings that took place in Allora on Boxing Day had their sequel in the Allora Police Court this week. William Evans returned a plea of guilty to the charge of drunkenness but advanced extenuating circumstances of having indulged too freely in malted and spirituous liquors. He was fined £2 in default 14 days jail.
James O’Brien was charged with drunkenness, resisting Sgt. Maguire in the execution of his duties, wilful and unlawful destruction of the uniform of Sgt. Maguire, and the assault of Sgt. Maguire in the execution of his duties. He was found guilty of all charges. Harry Hutchings pleaded guilty to the three charges of drunkenness, use of obscene language, and resisting Constable Wall in the execution of his duties.

Herbert Street Businesses
72 Herbert Street
100 years ago – N. Rasch, watchmaker, jeweller, and optician.
75 years ago – Vacant allotment.
50 years ago – Cunnington’s Cafe, George & Hilda Cunnington.
25 years ago – Allora Cafe, Ken, Dianne & Kath Dakin.
Currently  Allora Cafe & Bakery, Kathy Hughes.

Cunningtons Cafe
Cunnington’s is a name synonymous with cafes in Allora. Members of the Cunnington family owned cafes in Allora from at least 1925 until George and Hilda Cunnington moved to Scarborough in 1966. The name was retained throughout the ownership of the Busteed family from March 1966 to January 1971; Mary Whittaker (now Strachotta) from January 1971 to June 1978 and Reg. Schelbach June 1978 to December 1978. The name only changed to the Allora Cafe when Theo and Lorna Cholawinskyj took over in January 1979. For further details of Cunnington’s Cafe and the Cunnington family see "Herbert Street 5" and "Research" on this web site.

Allora’s Past 40 years ago February 1969
R. S. L. Ladies Auxiliary
At the A. G. M. of the Allora branch of the R. S. L. Ladies Auxiliary which took place in February, 1969, the following office bearers were elected :-  President, Mrs. A. Marshall; Vice-Presidents, Mesdames H. Gwynne, W. Lawson and H. Rubie; Secretary, Mrs. P. Ellis; Treasurer, Mrs. G. Holmes.

Allora’s Past 60 years ago February 1949
Marriage Notice
The Marriage of Mr. Walter Joseph Lawson
and Miss Catherine June Dougall
will take place in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
 on Saturday, 5th March, 1949.

Allora’s Past 100 years ago February 1909
Conflagration!
The biggest fire ever to occur in Allora was reported in the “Allora Guardian” of 3rd February, 1909. The fire destroyed eight business premises in Herbert and Drayton Streets. Starting from where Wilson & Rigby stands today the businesses destroyed were Grimes & Elson, general store; A. D. Siebenhausen, tailor shop and residence; N. Zaunders, refreshment rooms; Donovan & Son, auction mart; Mrs. S. L. Williams, stationer, jewellery and dressmaker; J. A. Roush, saddler; Scott & Co, general and bulk store and E. H. Nehlsen, hairdresser, tobacconist and billiard saloon. Because it was a calm night the fire was slow burning and all businesses were able to save their records. A huge effort was put into saving Barnes & Co. and the Commercial Hotel from bursting into flames due to the radiant heat.

Herbert Street Businesses
74 Herbert Street
100 years ago –  John Lunn, chemist.
75 years ago – Allora Pharmacy, W. A. Gordon.
50 years ago – L. A. Gunn, chemist.
25 years ago – Paul Mezger, dental surgeon.
Currently  Allora Realty, John & Jan Dean.
United Friendly Societies
The U. F. S. took over the Allora Pharmacy in May 1919. The society was established, in a remarkable show of co-operation, by the Allora Masonic Lodge, the Protestant Alliance, St. Kevin’s Branch H. A. C. B. S. (Hibernians), and the M. U. I. O.O. F. (Oddfellows). The president was Hubert Deacon; the vice president Tom Maher; secretary Andrew Hamilton; treasurer George Tickle; and the trustees Jacob Roush, Garrett O’Neill and W. J. T. Neale. The pharmacy was operated by a number of chemists until sold in June 1929.
For a full list of the chemists in Allora see the "Herbert Street 5" page on this web site.

Allora’s Past 25 years ago March 1984
PUBLIC INVITATION
Channels 7 and 10,4,5A
invite the people of Allora to experience a unique opportunity by participating in their publicity promotion of the new Mini-Series, “The Eureka Stockade” at 12.30, Saturday, 17th March.
The day saw the re-enactment of the “Eureka Stockade” first performed on Australia Day 1984 under the direction of Michelle Smith.
In a Thank You letter addressed to John Gordon, Editor of the Allora Advertiser, Mr. Gary Linaker, Public Relations Manager, Channel Seven Brisbane, said in part.
“In all of my years in television I have never seen such a lovely bunch of people tackle a project with so much zeal.
Who will ever forget the guys from the Polo and Touch Football Clubs, Members of Rotary, Apex, and the women of Scope who provided the townsfolk and representatives of the media with a stirring re-enactment of “Eureka Stockade” in Allora Reserve.
We love you Allora. Very many thanks for a splendid occasion”.

Allora’s Past 127 years ago March 1882
Spring Creek Twenty-two
An interesting cricket match took place at Spring Creek on the 11th March 1882 between a Spring Creek 22 and an Allora 11. One can only guess at the state of the pitch which was situated in Dalton’s paddock near the Reserve. Allora batted first and compiled 51 runs. Allora opener Billy, (Probably “Billy Bumblefoot”, a local aborigine), top scored with 36, more than the entire Spring Creek team which scored 33 runs. The top run getters for Spring Creek were “Sundries” 8, and captain, Mr. Sargent, 7, leaving the other twenty players to score 13 between them.
Andrew Sargent was the H. T. of Spring Creek School from 1880. With no Dwyers, Doyles, Abernethys, Telfords or Gilmores in the side, Spring Creek were a long way short of the glory days from 1946/47 when they won three district premierships in five years and were runners up in the other two.

Herbert Street Businesses
76 Herbert Street
100 years ago –  Barnes & Co., General Store.
75 years ago – Barnes & Co., General Store.
50 years ago – Allora Motors, C. E. Stewart and A. B. Carney.
25 years ago – Allora Pharmacy, Elaine McCormick.
Currently vacant allotment.
See Herbert Street 6 on web site.

Barnes & Co.
A new store was completed for the Allora branch of the Warwick flour milling and general merchandising company of Barnes, Archibald & Co. in December 1890. In 1893 it was owned by Barnes & Co. and known as the Allora Emporium. Barnes & Co. was truly a general store and they stocked everything including groceries, drapery, clothing, boot and shoes, furniture, hardware and ironmongery. They were also buyers and sellers of farm produce. In later years they were the agents for Ford cars and sold petrol from a bowser at the front of the shop. In 1894 tenders were called for the building of manager’s residence adjoining the store. Local contractors Sharpe and Leggatt were the successful tenderers at £333. (This house still stands). The Allora manager for over thirty five years was James Dean, who when he retired in 1927, such was his popularity, that he and Mrs. Dean received testimonials from nearly every organization in Allora. Barnes & Co. ceased trading in Allora in 1939.

Allora’s Past 50 years ago March 1959
THANKS
A Thank You notice appeared from the family of the late Con Brosnan of Greenmount and Mr. and Mrs. E. Brosnan of Allora thanking the Police, Ambulance, Doctors in attendance, the Committee of the Allora Show Society and others following the death of Mr. Con Brosnan. Mr. Brosnan, a well known show competitor in horse riding events, collapsed and died after winning his event at the recently held Allora show.
Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Brosnan were the grandparents of Wayne Bennett.

Allora’s Past 75 years ago March 1934
East Talgai Property for Subdivision
Clark Family to Relinquish
With the disposal of the East Talgai Station, which is to be subdivided and sold, a family association of over 60 years with pastoral life in the Allora district will end.
The present owner is Mr. G. C. Clark, son of one of the early proprietors.
The sale will allow the settlement of sixteen wheat and dairy farmers on the subdivided land. The property consists of about 2,400 acres, of which 1,600 acres are to be subdivided. The homestead block of 700 acres is also on the market.

Allora’s Past 100 years ago March 1909
Boxing Contest
A boxing contest of unusual interest will be decided in O’Callaghan’s Hall on Saturday night when Tom Collins, an Allora native, will be pitted against Max Pardella, the champion lightweight of Queensland for a purse of £25. The personality of the promoters ensures that the proceedings will be properly conducted and their own stadium will be erected in the centre of the hall, thus ensuring for all spectators an uninterrupted view of the fight.

Allora’s Past 150 years ago
Surveyor Pratten completed his survey of the town of Allora on July 1st 1859 less than a month after Queensland was separated from New South Wales. The town was gazetted later in the same year and the first sale of town allotments took place at the Warwick Police Office on 5th March 1860.

Herbert Street Businesses
78 Herbert Street
March 1909 – New store for Holmes & Co. being built after fire.
March 1934 – Vacant allotment.
March 1959 – Vacant allotment.
March 1984 – Allora Shire Council Chambers.
Currently Allora Office, Southern Downs Regional Council.
See Herbert Street 6 on web site.

1914 Fire
August 1914 saw another fire on the Herbert and Drayton Street’s corner which was a mirror image of the January 1909 fire. Seven business premises this time, all owned by the Holmes family, burned to the ground. Holmes & Co., general merchants; J. A. Roush, saddler; M. Patrick, oyster saloon etc; Miss Neale, dressmaker; Appel Bros., jewellers; Mrs. S. Williams, stationer; and T. H. Vines, tobacconist, hairdresser and billiard saloon were all destroyed. Holmes & Co. who had built a new store following the 1909 fire then bought “The Trade Palace” on the Warwick and Herbert Street’s corner from John Moorhead and resumed business there. The Herbert and Drayton Street’s block remained vacant for the next forty-six years until the Allora Shire Council built their new council chambers there in 1960

Letter to the Editor
In a letter to the Editor of the Allora Advertiser on 2nd March 1956, Mr. M. K. Cooper, Secretary of the Allora Progress Association, wrote in response to the Council’s purchase of the Herbert and Drayton Street’s corner block.
“Cr. Abernethy stated that the (swimming) pool would be a white elephant.
The Progress Association would point out that Cr. Abernethy is evidently ignorant of the true meaning of the term “white elephant”, and would stress that a far better example would be the block of land situated on the corner of Herbert and Drayton Streets which was purchased by the shire council for approximately £1,100”.

Allora’s Past 75 years ago March 1934
Authentic Fish Story
Old Shylock, the Jew in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, might have insisted on his pound of flesh, but two fishermen who were fortunate, or unfortunate to hook on one piscatorial dainty, settled their difference by equally dividing the catch, a pound and a quarter jewfish. Messrs Walter Gordon (Allora), and Ben Zeller (Goomburra) who were fishing on a Goomburra property on Saturday afternoon, threw their lines in side by side. Later, after a cup of tea, Mr. Zeller went to the creek and pulled in his line, only to find that the fish had taken both baits and thoroughly tangled the lines. The fishermen were two of a party that obtained a haul of five jewfish ranging from 1 lb. to 1 ½ lbs.

Holmes’ Buildings
Around the turn of the century there were six shops on the Herbert/Drayton Streets corner owned by Isaac Holmes. All burned to the ground in both the 1909 and 1914 fires. As stated last week the block remained vacant until the Council Chambers were built in 1960. The Allora Shire Library was officially opened in December 1966.
See Herbert Street 6 on the web site.

Allora’s Past 25 years ago April 1984
INVITATION
The family of Ann Duggan cordially invite all relatives
and friends to attend Afternoon Tea to celebrate her
one hundredth birthday on Sunday, 13th May, at 3.30 pm.
to be held in the Senior Citizen’s Hall.
Mrs. Duggan was born in Allora on May 13th 1884, the daughter of Patrick O’Callaghan and Norah nee Talty. She was apprenticed as a dressmaker at the age of 14. As Ann O’Callaghan, she married Herbert Duggan in Allora in 1912 and had six children, five of whom were living at the time of her birthday. She had twenty grandchildren. Mrs. Duggan spent the early part of her married life in various parts of Queensland and New South Wales where her husband followed his trade as a bridge builder. She was well known for her abilities as a shearer’s cook in later years. The family settled on a farm at Hendon and Mrs. Duggan learned to be self reliant as her husband often worked away from home. She attributed her good health and longevity to the plentiful exercise she got in walking the four miles from Hendon to Allora. At the time of her birthday Mrs. Duggan was a resident of the Allora Hospital and had limited sight and hearing but her mind was remarkably alert.
Mrs. Duggan was the mother of Hugh Duggan of Drayton Street and passed away in July 1989 at the age of 105.

Allora’s Past 50 years ago April 1959
A PRE-WEDDING EVENING
will be held in St. Michael’s Hall, Clifton,
on Monday Night, 4th May, in honour of
Miss Annette Rickert’s approaching marriage
to Mr. Lloyd Frizzell.
Convs. Misses C. Logan, M. Ryan, M. Surawski and M. Hughes.

Allora’s Past 100 years ago April 1909
The Tommy Burns Fiasco
We have received a lengthy letter from an esteemed correspondent who waxes very indignant on the failure of Tommy Burns to carry out his contract to suitably entertain the Allora public. After making light of Mr. Burns’ skipping and sparring displays our correspondent says:-
“I consider he (Mr. Burns) should donate 75 per cent, at least, of his takings to some charitable institution as a salve to his own conscience and the feelings of the men who paid their hard earned brass to see something promised loudly and unmistakably but not fulfilled”.
Tommy Burns, the Canadian born boxer who held the World heavyweight title, appeared at O’Callaghan’s Hall and advertised a splendid series of biographs depicting some of his title fights as well as giving a rope skipping and sparring exhibition. He also stated that he would box several rounds with a clever young Australian boxer as well as with the Irish champion.

Please continue on Looking Back 7.