Community
16 November, 2022
The sweet town of Tully
THE CAPTION beneath the image read “This town of Tully, only five years old, grew from sugar, and exists upon it”.
Prior to its construction as the township of Tully, the settlement on the site was known as Banyan. The shanty town consisted of a general store selling fruit, tobacco and other goods; a newsagent; and a boarding house.
When it was decided to build a sugar mill and town at Banyan, Mick and Pat Mullins from Innisfail were quick to establish a hotel there to quench the thirst of construction workers. The simple corrugated iron establishment was known at the first Hotel Tully. The Mullins brothers had previously run the Commonwealth Hotel and the Exchange Hotel in Innisfail.
A second Hotel Tully would be built in the “new town”. It was designed by architect, Joseph Rooney, and built in 1926 for £22,000. The builder was J. J. Riley. On January 19, 1926, the “Brisbane Daily Mail” published a sketch of the hotel and described the new reinforced concrete building as “commodious”.
There would be three parlours, a coffee room, dining room with associated kitchen facilities, a bar, store, spirit room, office, lounge, and two shops on the ground floor. Upstairs there were planned a further two parlours, 32 bedrooms and wide balconies across the front and side. A separate building provided 8 bathrooms and lavatories. Additional facilities included sample rooms, a garage and stables.
While the second Hotel Tully was still under construction it was announced that Mr. Cyramus of Cardwell had also been granted a license and planned to erect a hotel next to the Mullins’ hotel.
In addition to two hotels providing accommodation and refreshments, the new township would also be well catered for in terms of entertainment. It was reported that Feldt’s Pictures had expanded their hall, installed a modern stage and improved ventilation. There was also a new picture theatre being erected for Mr. Van de Leur which was expected to open within months.
At the opening of the Mullins Bros. hotel on July 28, 1926, the Police Magistrate of Ingham, Mr. J. A. Murray commented that “everything seems big in this locality – big mountains, big areas, a big mill, and big hearted men”.
The “Townsville Daily Bulletin” reported that the opening celebration was a most amusing affair with the architect, J. G. Rooney, and J. A. Murray providing guests with boisterous singing performances.
Music was to be a feature of the new hotel’s amenities for guests with a “powerful wireless set” and loudspeaker having been installed to transmit the best musical talent from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.
Sources: TROVE, State Library of Queensland (SLQ).
