looking out for each other in the bush

A fine thread that runs throughout the Cunnamulla story is the way in which the story of the town is first and foremost one of community building. Profitable and creative business enterprises flourished to be sure, but the bedrock of life in this outback regional hub was one of people looking after each other.

The Senior Citizens Hall is a wonderful example of this. The building was originally created in 1900 as the Methodist Church.

The site was donated by the first minister who was supported by generous contributions to the building fund. At the end of the First World War the Odd Fellows Lodge took up residence here. Their somewhat quaint name seems to link back to the industrial revolution in the 18th century when it was odd to find people who followed noble values such as fraternalism, benevolence and charity.

Buffalo Lodge ownership of the premises followed in the lead up to the building being purchased in 1985 as a senior citizens club. Once again many generous donations by business houses supported by other fundraising efforts were the essential ingredients that gave us the senior citizens meeting place Cunnamulla enjoys today.

working together to provide community services

As we look back now to photos from the late 1920s of Cunnamulla features like the district hospital and ambulance station it’s easy to take these for granted as things the town would have inevitably had.

These facilities however were both established and then supported over the longer term by community resolve to ensure they not only existed, but also that they adequately served the needs of a remote bush community.

To do this endless rounds of fund raising and community input were required and in this space there were no more active advocates than Cunnamulla’s older citizens. Alongside the physical health of the Warrego and Paroo communities the social and mental well being of people has always also been a focus. This is bourne out in an evocative photo from the 1930s of the Cunnamulla Croquet and Bowling Club.