Shire Timeline
1876- Boulia was established as a goods and service centre for local graziers.
1879- August 2nd- 1280 acres of land was set aside. The town of Boulia is founded. The first mail service by horse is commenced.
1883- First land sale in Boulia.
1884- First telegraph line is completed and police station opened. First police magistrate is appointed.
1885- The town of Urandangie was founded and the first store commenced trading.
1886- The first courthouse is completed.
1889- Urandangie first school was opened.
1892- John MacPherson MacDonald- Police Magistrate dies aged 65 years.
1904- Gun club was formed 1904/1905, functioned for four years.
1905- New courthouse and office with accommodation completed. Mable Gertrude Crutchfield appointed as surgeon to the Cottage Hospital at Boulia.
1908- First motor vehicle in the area. Boulia Shire Council and Winton Council signed an agreement to bear 1/3 the cost of an artesian bore on Mackunda (water was struck in 1909).
1910- Urandangie School closed due to low attendance.
1911- Railway reached Duchess.
1912- One of the early Governors, Sir William McGregor, passed through Boulia.
First documented sighting of the Min Min Light.
1913- Teachers were appointed to travel and teach children in country areas, travelling by bike or car.
1914- The Min Min Hotel was sold to Mrs Hasted by McMillan. Hasted owned and conducted the hotel until it burnt down.
1916- 1916-1918 Teece conducted a horse and buggy mail run from Boulia via Coorabulka to the Mayne Hotel.
1917- The most tragic of all bushfires was started by lightening near Elrose in October 1917.
1919- George Absolom was the first man to cart supplies between Dajarra and Boulia.
1920- The first parade of local servicemen was held on Anzac Day.
The first CWA (Country Women’s Association) meeting in Boulia.
A maternity ward was built in the hospital, and the first baby born was named Mary Maternity Cockeril of Mercia Springs.
The first picture show was opened.
