1. Haley’s Newsagency was a cornerstone to the community of Mullewa, and its owner, Tom, a notable sportsman, but what exceptional talent did his son possess?
2. Mary Toomey never turned a hungry mouth from the door of her Mullewa Hostel, but her pet cocky mastered the strong language required to clear the premises at closing time each night!
3. Mullewa in those days could be called, in contemporary terms, a multicultural society.
The Italian owned fruit and vegetable shop was passed through the family for almost 60 years. A Greek owned a fish café and people seemed to love his fish and chips wrapped in newspaper – blissfully unaware of the toxins in the printing ink!
4. The Road Board built its very own offices on the site that is now the park. Opened on March 6th 1920, the original building was a small weatherboard structure facing Jose Street.
5. The weatherboard Post Office that once stood at the junction of the three rail-lines was a humming hub of activity for much of its life. It ensured that mail between the three lines was sorted in less than 20 minutes in order for it to catch the next train out.
6. The original town hall, built in 1912, served many varied purposes and was the pride of the town. Concerts, bazaars, political meetings and even church services called upon its spacious timber and iron structure.
The current town hall was built in 1935, and until 1995 housed the Shire offices.
7. Molster's Motors was more than a car showroom. The energetic owner, Thomas Molster also established himself as a storekeeper and agent handling "practically every type of business required by the residents of Mullewa".
8. Business was booming in the town of Mullewa before World War 1. Ever the businessman, Tom Shannon had a row of six shops, facing Maitland St built for him in 1930. There is no doubt that this row of shops has long been a major part of commerce in Mullewa.
9. The desire for night-time entertainment rapidly expanded in the 1920's. The completion of the Agricultural Hall opened up a considerable range of possibilities. Once the new hall was built, movies were shown outside and dances and concerts were held inside.
10. Clem Orr's agency was a landmark of Mullewa in the period leading up to World War II, as was the building that housed it. Despite its fiery demise in 2005, long-time residents still fondly recall "The Kurrajong" of the 1950s, 60's and 70s.
11. Lighting for the town had been discussed as early as 1914, but it was not until 1928 that a large shed was built just south of the Freemason's Hall to house the requisite electrical plant. This was privately run for many years, before passing to the Road Board and then to the State Government. Mullewa was finally connected to the "grid" sometime in the late 1970s.
12. The pioneer of education in the Mullewa district, school master JE Jones certainly didn't have it easy when he arrived to teach in the town's new wooden building of one room. It doubled as his living quarters, but had no fireplace, no rooms for him to put his belongings and no bed! So what did he use?
13. The CWA ladies unselfishly and with passion for a huge amount of years, quietly contributing to causes local and overseas and really making a difference. You may be surprised to know they don’t just knit and drink tea, but make up the backbone of an outstanding community.
14. The opening of the Lodge in 1926 for the Freemasons was a remarkable social event, with 56 local men already having membership. By 1929 they possessed 104 members and were a major organisation in the community.
15. Medical services around Mullewa were thin on the ground in the early years. And for those out of town the situation was grim indeed. Imagine having to ride six miles to a siding in order to ring the Geraldton doctor for advice. At last, a district nurse was stationed in town following the influenza epidemic of 1919.
16. The Methodist church built in 1931 was said to be a "fine structure, and a tribute to the work of the church community". Unfortunately, after 60 years of service, the church had fallen into a state of disrepair. Visitors came from far and wide for the final service held in 1991 before it was demolished.
17. The refusal to grant an application for a Hotel license to Mr Carlyon in the 1890s proved one of the Mullewa police station's more regrettable actions. Carlyon's Club reaped all the advantages of a license without paying the fees. Teamsters, relied upon to transport goods to the stations beyond Mullewa would be held up there for days.
18. The Gothic-style stone building that is St Andrew’s was built in 1921 by J.J. Jenner of Geraldton. Granite from a property on Wooderarrung River made the foundations, and the parishioners quarried local stone for the walls.
19. P.C. Timothy Doogue arrived in WA from his native Queen's County, Ireland, in 1911. He served in Albany and Geraldton, before coming to the wheatbelt town in 1926. Older residents of town recall Doogue catching them "down the street at night" and telling them in a broad Irish brogue to "get on home, wash your feet and go to bed!"
20. Gascard & Co was a famous coach outfit reknowned for the stamina and speed of its horses. Gascard & Co were given the task of transporting explorers to the blossoming goldfields of the Murchison, and required the service of many a blacksmith in Mullewa to shoe their horses in order to make the rough journey.
21. The diversity of uses for the buildings erected in Mullewa is apparent in the early 1900s. The church was also a school for 50 students and dwelling for the first three Sisters who arrived in Mullewa. Later, a Convent was built to provide somewhat more comfortable circumstances than the original.
22. Imagine tables groaning under the weight of a great feast, wine flowing freely and speeches, songs and recitations delivered in jovial celebration. What grand opening on New Years Day in 1895 warranted such an occasion? The famous Railway Hotel!
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