Stay an extra day... we have a lot to see in Dirran
The Tom Dancey Statue - Tom's the Local Indigenous bloke who Ran in the Stawell Gift Footrace in 1910 and won.
The Dirranbandi Dandy, Immortalised by the late Slim Dusty in "Cunnamulla Fella"
Des Stevenson Memorial. In honour of the man and the mind behind the
development of Cubbie Cotton the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.
The "Les Norton Bar", in the Dirran Pub.... a must for all the Robert G Barrett fans.
Head over to the Sculpture "The Battle Of Beersheba" there's an interesting story behind that one.
You can follow the rail and river path to the Old Railway Parcel Room.
Notice the plaques with names of Past and Current Residents....Look down.
Head down to the River for some free exercise equipment and a cracking pontoon.
The Jack Dwyer Memorial park, where our Local Dirranbandi Fishing Club meet. You’ll also find one of our Murals, the other 5 …. mmm ask the locals they’ll show you. We’re all pretty proud of our history and the way Simon White has depict it in his paintings
Our Rural Transaction Centre is a wealth of local knowledge and has great memorabilia.
And don't forget to have your photo taken At "The End Of The Line" finally closed 2 Sep 2010
Did you know..... That back in the Hay Day....
The 50s and 60s when our population was headed toward 2000
We had Car Yards, yes more than 1. Dirranbandi Motors and Balonne Motors - We had the Best Ford dealership in SW Qld, Donolley Motors for repairs, maintenance, welding fuel, and mechanics.
The Dirranbandi Railway was completed in 1912, for sending and receiving goods, livestock, or passengers...Dirran was 'The End of the Line' as it was not viable to continue to Cunnamulla. Employed were a station master, parcels officer, porters and a dozen fetlers for track maintenance.
J G Hile & Co sold ladies' gents and children’s "Fancy Wear" later purchased by the Hegarty Family, now an "outback oasis" known as the Linen Cupboard. Dalgety's, Rankin & Co, Australian Estates, Winscombe Carsons and Primary's were the Stock and Station agents, we had a picture theatre which has also lived life as a skate rink and Gordon Horne had the supermarket - If you walk in and say G’day Mr Col you'll get the best service ever.
They built an airport... that still functions today supporting the Hospital and the RFDS. Culgoa Aviation born out of necessity in 1955-6 floods, Bill Mooga Wilson started our cordial factory, Colin Ross Munro for Ammunition and Firearms and A traditional boomerang factory. The Commercial Hotel frequented by the Cockies and The Telegraph was pumping with Shearers.
Alf Raven had the Newsagency come sporting goods come watch repairs and musical instruments. Pippos Bros had the Cafe de Luxe which also sold fuel.
The Roberts Bros had the Butchery Later owned by the Stephens Family and now the Deshon’s trade as Three Rivers Meats. Jim Johnson was the Barber and Tobacconist he had a pool hall out back and word is a betting shop too. We had a NAB, CBA, and Bank of NSW.
There was Catholic, Presbyterian and Church of England Services, a Police Station, Magistrates Court, Fire and Ambulance Stn. Mr Martin ran the Post Office, followed by Brian Milverton, and currently Alison and Gary Schultz.
D & A Cocks were Shearing Contractors, Armstrong and Co were General Merchants- milliners F&V and hardware out back. If they didn't have it ...they'd get it. Bob Moreland was a local Builder, the Lyons family were the Bakers, First Class accommodation to be found at McGregor's Hotel with Bulimba and XXXX beers on tap.
Howe and McEwan supplied sand, gravel and loam, Now youd be looking for Jack Taylor or The Hadenfeld’s. I M Searle was the Cabinet maker and French Polisher in Lignum Ave.
Tainton Travel Service to book those getaways.
Dirranbandi was also home to the St Josephs Convent and Chapel build in 1954 and decommissioned in 1979. The Convent was home to many a farmer’s child boarding in Dorms in the evening and attending the St Joseph Catholic School throughout the day. Many town children also attended as day students and still live here today. We had the Dirranbandi State School and eventually High School that went to Grade 10.
The Dirranbandi Despatch was the District News Magazine, it was first published on 13 August 1959 at a cost of 6d.
