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. |
1882 | Area surveyed by F.A. Hartnell in October 1882 (and March 1883). |
1883 | First land sale in Boulia. |
1884 | First telegraph line is completed and telegraph station opened in Boulia on 11th August. Police station opened and first police magistrate is appointed. |
1885 | The town of Urandangi was founded and the first store commenced trading. |
1886 | The first courthouse is completed. |
1887 | The Boulia Divisional Board was gazetted on the 24th September. |
1889 | Urandangi 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 | Urandangi 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. |
1912 | The Min Min Hotel was burnt down approximately around this time line. |
1916 | 1916-1918 Teece conducted a horse and buggy mail run from Boulia via Coorabulka to the Mayne Hotel. |
1917 | A tragic bushfire was started by lightening near Elrose in October 1917 burning two men so badly they died from their injuries. |
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. |
1921 |
Captain Pat McGinnis piloted the first aeroplane to visit Boulia. A Glenormiston syndicate won 20 000 pounds when it drew Sister Olive in the Melbourne Cup. Ernest F Jones (one of the overseers of the GNRB) was also the first Chairman of the Boulia Shire Council elected under the State Roll Franchise. Urandangi School re-opened. The last pack horse mail run from Boulia to Roxborough by J. Jones. It was then carried by car for the next thirty years. |
1925 | Charlie Robinson drove one of the last horse drawn mails from Middleton to Boulia in March 1925. |
1926 | One of the driest periods in the history of Boulia was between 1926-1929 when only 415mm of rain was recorded. |
1927 |
Dr Spalding was one of the first Flying Doctors to visit Boulia during 1927-1928. The dance hall was opened in Boulia on the 25th February. |
1928 | All fences under the Gregory North Rabbit Board were abandoned. |
1930 | The "Widow's Cap" was worn by Aboriginal widows in mourning for their warrior/man having been killed. It was worn up until the 1930's. |
1932 | Urandangi Federal Hotel burnt down and was completely destroyed on the 29th April. Two people perished in the fire. |
1933 | The Dingo Board was abolished and the Districts Improvements Board was established under the "Grazing District Improvement Act of 1933". |
1936 | The Women's Auxiliary of the RSL was first formed in 1936. Mrs J.E.M. McGlinchey was the first president. |
1938 | The first school building (1891) was sold for removal and a large school building from Selwyn was removed and erected in Boulia by contractor A.H. Wellington. |
1942 |
The last IOU's (first form of currency in Boulia and region) were used. On 19th February, a very efficient troop of the V.D.C. was formed. |
1950 | The highest registration of rainfall for 24 hours was recorded at 345mm in March. |
1951 | The Boulia Shire Council became licensed for the maintenance of the Boulia Aerodrome on the 21st February. The Boulia Shire Council building burnt down on Good Friday 1951. |
1956 | The Buffalo Lodge was opened in Boulia by Bro. George Kallinicus, ROH. |
1957 | Power was connected to Boulia on the 26th January. The Power House and residence for the Power House Superintendent was erected. |