Timeline
1800's | 1900's | 2000's
1810's | 1820's | 1830's |1840's | 1850's | 1860's | 1870's | 1880's | 1890's
1810's
1818 John Oxley passes through the district that becomes Dubbo
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1820's
1824 Land permits to GJ Palmer and John Wylde to occupy land two geographical miles in every direction in every direction adjacent to the Macquarie River. By 1828 Palmer had 13000 acres, 1847 head of cattle and 6133 sheep.
1828 George ‘Dusty Bob’ Smith employed by Palmer and Wylde at Dibilambil Station, stockyards on site of Old Dubbo Gaol.
Palmer’s owner 13,000 acres.
1829 Sturt arrived “Murrumbigerie” and camped with Palmer’s stockman (George Smith) at “Dibilamble (sic) Station”. – Where the Old Dubbo Gaol now stands.
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1830's
1837 Robert Venour Dulhunty took out a licence legalising his occupancy, at ‘Dubbo’, the aboriginal word meaning ‘red earth’. He also married this year. Dubbo was four miles south of the present city.
1839 Dulhunty built his new stone home and called it “Dubbo House”, converted his old house into the “Macquarie Inn” and placed Edward Lang in charge.
1839 John Osborne, the son of John and Jane Osborne, was born at “Dubbo” Station. John Snr. being the accountant for Dulhunty.
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1840's
1841 Jean de Bouillon Emile Serisier opened a store on the southeast corner of Macquarie and Cobra Sts, thus being the first settler of the town.
1846 On 22nd December, Dubbo was proclaimed a place for holding a Court of Petty Sessions. A court house was built.
1847 In January the Governor informed a Bench of four Magistrates to arrange for a Court House and lock-up to be built.
1847 Jean Emile Serisier, a Frenchman asked permission from Dulhunty to establish a shop on “Dubbo” Station but his request was refused.
1848 Serisier and Nicholas Hyeronimus moved north of “Dubbo” Station and asked permission from George Smith (Dusty Bob), Palmer’s stockman, to establish Despointes and Co. a trading post on his land. Permission was granted. This new settlement began diagonally across the block from the L H Ford Bridge to the corner of Smith and Reakes Streets. Hyeronimus built the first hotel in this area and called it “Carrier’s Arms”.
Surveyor Davidson draws a sketch and sort permission, from the government, to survey this area and have it proclaimed a village. This was granted and in October, Surveyor, George Boyle White, drew a map showing area features, the streets he would propose for the new village.
First mail coach.
Serisier opened his 2nd store after ceasing connection with Despointes – called it Dubbo Stores – site to RHS of Shire Building.
1849 Village gazetted 21st November.
First recorded murder.
Surveyor G. Boyle White signs his plans, dated 14th May 1849, for the village of Dubbo. First Hotel licence 27th January. These original plans are a part of the Dubbo Museum collection. These plans were for 150 blocks covering areas in Macquarie, Brisbane, Carrington,Ave., Church, Wingewarra, Bultje and Talbragar Streets. A constables hut in Talbragar Street, and the Court House in Macquarie Street.
Regular mail deliveries commenced. J.E.Serisier 1st Postmaster – operating the business from his store.
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1850's
1850 Serisier opens 3rd stores on north east corner of Macquarie and Bultje Streets. 2nd store taken over by Chinese. 37 x ½ acre blocks were submitted for sale in the new village. Sold November 20th.
1851 Census reveals population of 28 males and 19 females. Second sale of town blocks on 8th January. Population 28 males and 19 females.
Dr Walter Tibbits arrived to set up practice.
1852 Robert Venour Dulhunty died at Old Dubbo and was buried at the Pioneer Cemetery.
1853 First Methodist Church Service held in the 1st Court House.
1854 Samuels family arrived in Dubbo.
1855 First Catholic Church built,on a slab on Section 7. St.Brigid’s on eastern side of Macquarie Street between Cobra and Bultje Streets. Slab building with a shingle roof, accommodated 20–30 people. This building was used until it blew down in 1869.
First MP George Lord elected 16th April.
1856 Anthony’s Flagstaff Stores built in Macquarie Street.
A pound established, with Adam Clark Taylor as first pound keeper.
1857 James Samuels married by Rev. H Garven visiting minister from Wellington. 1st September, first slab built National school opened at 232(or 323 check number – Samuels Building) Macquarie Street. Slab walls, shingle roof, 2 classrooms and immediately closed whilst teacher was sent to Fort Street for training. Number on the roll 20 males, 16 females = 36 – with a regular attendance of 10 males and 14 females = 24. This school remained until 1872.
1858 First Church of England built together with a Parsonage in Macleay St North Dubbo. The building was of weatherboard and built by Adam Gordon. Four Hotels operating at this time were: Dulhunty’s Macquarie Inn; Hyeronimus’s Carriers Arms; Royal; and Commercial.
Public School opened 1st September on the site of 232 Macquarie Street.
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1860's
1862 First Solicitor, George Taylor, arrived.
2nd Court House erected, still in Macquarie Street.
Post Office and Money Order system established.
Nicholas Hyeronimus died, aged 53 years.
Police Act extended to Dubbo.
Ben Furney now producing Hay and Chaff.
Sir Frederick Pottinger appointed Clerk of Petty Sessions and Registry of B.D.M’s.
Wheat loads coming in from John Morris at ‘Benelong’.
1863 2nd Court House erected in Macquarie Street.
Post Office and money order system established.
Site for 2nd Catholic Church dedicated 16th July.
Tenders called to build the bridge.
1864 Dubbo Jockey Club formed.
Telegraph line from Wellington completed.
Foundation stone laid for Flour Mill, in Macquarie St. 14th November [Refer: 1996-1149].
1865 Commercial Banking Co of Sydney opened, on 2nd January, in rented premises owned by Jean Serisier. James Holmes was its first manager, carrying £15,000 ($30,000) with him on the coach, from Orange to Dubbo. This money was to open the Dubbo Branch.
First resident Church of England Minister appointed (Rev W Coombes).
Johnny Dunn (Bushranger) escaped from Dubbo Gaol.
Thomas Martin Manning established the “Dubbo Dispatch” newspaper in the Furney Building where the paper was printed until 1869.
First Church of England resident minister appointed, being Rev. W Coombs.
1866 First bridge across the Macquarie River, White Bridge, at end of Bultje Street was opened on 24th May by the Governor and Sir Samuel Saul. A ball was held on the bridge with Miss Campbell of Bunglegumbie playing the piano.
Police Officer Granville J Grenfell 40 years shot by bushrangers at Narromine.
Establishment of the ‘Dubbo Dispatch’ newspaper.
One bank, four pubs and two wooden shanties serving as churches.
Tait and Smellie store opened.
Population noted as 500.
Wheat loads coming in from Thomas Baird at ‘The Springs’.
Tenders called for to erect a telegraphic station.
1867 Commercial Banking Co of Sydney opened on north/west corner of Macquarie and Bultje Streets.
Post Office erected.
Major Flood.
1868 Jean Emile Serisier secured 4000 acres on Old Dubbo Road.
Commencement of the building of Dubbo Hospital.
1869 George ‘Dusty Bob’ Smith killed in a carriage accident. His will and subsequent documents are held at the Macquarie Regional Library, Dubbo branch.
Soap Works opened.
Catholic Church (established in 1857) blown down in a storm. Foundation Stone laid at second site in Brisbane Street 22nd August and building commenced.
Pre 1870 De La Salle College operating in Carrington Avenue.
The hospital was opened, 1stJuly 1870 by J.C.Ryrie.
Mechanics Institute opened.
Dubbo Dispatch moved to Church Street. W E Morgan joined the staff which was under the management of the Manning family and remained so until 1920.
The first Catholic boy’s school, called St. Aloysius”, opened in Carrington Ave. It consisted of a long brick building with a stone foundation, and featured gothic windows. The school remained until 1934 when the land was sold to Dubbo Council.
One of the biggest floods in the history of white settlement.
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1870's
1871 New lock-up built at a cost of £1,000 in Wingewarra Street.
Queens Park (later Victoria Park) gazetted under control of Trustees.
Petition for the establishment of a municipality was presented.
1872 19th February: Following a petitions from 102 people the Colonial Secretary notifies James Samuels Dubbo is constituted a Municipal Council.
22nd April: First elections held with Moffatt, Samuels, Frawley, Muller, Thompson and Taylor holding the first seats of office.
24th April: James Samuels jnr elected Mayor of Dubbo at meeting held in Court House.
6th May: From four applicants, council meeting decided to elect W E Morgan as Dubbo’s first Town Clerk with a salary of £30 ($60) per annum.
First Butchers shop opened on site at Exchange Hotel.
Public school closed and the land purchased by the Bank of NSW for the establishment of their business. At that time a portion of the slab was removed and presented to Central School.
1872 Formation of the P.A.and H. Association.
1873 First Pastoral and Agricultural Show took place on 23rd March at the present racecourse, the property of J Penzer, as were the following two shows.
Tannery established by Henry Nancarrow.
Central Primary School building commenced.
Wool Scour works established.
1874 Dubbo Advertiser commenced.
Methodist Church foundation stone was laid by Mrs. T.Baird. Opening service conducted in 1875.
Dubbo became a Circuit Court town.
Central Primary School opened, on present site, at the end of January. Brick building 1 classroom and teachers residence.
“The Dubbo Liberal” commenced print as “The Advertiser” in the Furney building.
1st August: The foundation stone was laid for the Presbyterian Church by Mrs A C Baird, with the official opening 3rd August 1976.Council formed streets formed, sidewalks of gravel made, closed 242 yard brick and 250 yards ironbark drains built.
Next to the village a 640 acre common had been fenced by Mayor Samuels and other gentlemen. .
1875 Foundation Stone of Holy Trinity Anglican Church laid on the 10th April..
1876 Bank of NSW opened at 232 Macquarie Street,.
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church opened – incumbent Minister Rev. Colin Greig had been operating since 1872.
Holy Trinity Anglican Church completed. Not consecrated until 29th September 1914 when it became clear of debt.
Athletics and Football Clubs formed.
Queens Park (later Victoria Park) developed.
1877 Police Troopers Barracks built in Erskine Street.
Thomas Newman hanged, 29th May, at first Gaol.
Macquarie Lodge formed, 10th October, (under the Grand Lodge of Scotland).
Bates Brickyards established.
Old Dubbo Cemetery at Butler’s Falls (Pioneer) dedicated on 13th March.
1878 George H. Taylor elected to his second term as Mayor.
Victoria Park vested under control of Council.
Well dug in Victoria Park for public water supply.
58 hotels operating.
A new newspaper came on the scene it was called either “Express” or Gazette”.
1879 Dubbo Brass Band and Orchestra formed.
Lodge Macquarie Masonic Temple opened.
Victoria Park duck pond completed.
Work commenced on the railway tack.
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1880's
1880 Jean Emile Serisier died in France.
Fire Brigade formed, the Duke of Manchester ‘christened’ the engine.
Albert the Aboriginal hanged, 26th May, at the new Gaol (present site).
Dubbo Magistrate, John Oxley Norton, shot after a political meeting.1880’s St Faiths built as the Anglican rectory, which became a girl’s hostel in 1912.
Mumford Bros ‘Beehive Store’s established.
1881 The arrival of the Railway – completed 1st February by Sir John Robertson, Minister for.
Public Instruction. A celebration and fireworks were held in Victoria Park.
Caro’s store lit by gas manufactured on the premises.
Movement to form a gas company commenced.
Dubbo Amateur Dramatic Society formed.
1882 First Town Hall opened.
‘Robbery Under Arms’ written by Rolf Boldrewood (Thomas Browne Dubbo Magistrate).
Thomas James Smith aged 6yrs and William George Smith aged 9yrs abandoned under the first White Bridge.
Thomas James Fanning was the last person buried at Pioneer Cemetery, 27th January.
Gas Lights installed through the town. G Kitchen the first manager, W Stewart engineer and John Henderson (father of Gil) the stoker).
To compliment the water mill in Victoria park, a well was sunk, on the eastern side of the War Memorial, and a windmill built which pumped water into tank, for public use.
1883 Gas Works opened.
Baking Powder Factory established in Gipps Street.
Commencement of a well and reservoir at Newtown Heights (completed 1894).
1884 St. Patrick’s Convent opened in Bultje Street.
Frances Hodson 17yrs died after a fall during the construction of the 2nd White Bridge.
“The Liberal” was produced in a shed, which had been part of the Commercial Stores.
William White Council’s became the first employee (still staff when aged 84 years). He planted the old trees around the pond.
1885 First Bicycle Club formed.
Dubbo proclaimed a “town” on 20th March (?).
1886 First meeting of the Salvation Army in Dubbo, in February.
1887 New Post Office opened with Clock Tower (workings only) from the second Court House.
1888 Third Court House completed.
“The Liberal” transferred it business to the corner of Macquarie and Wingewarra Sts. Later it was transferred to Church Street into a building once used as Blackett’s Mart.
13th January: foundation stone laid for new Methodist Church, in Church St. Opening service held on 23rd December 1888.
G Paul 2nd engineer of Gas Works, and was again from 1910to 1927.
1889 ‘Tantallon’ built as a wedding present for Katie Samuels.
Wongarbon Cemetery dedication notification was on 29th January.
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1890’s
Depression saw the demise of the pastoral industry. British markets collapsed and wool prices fell. By 1893, eight million acres of Occupation Licences were abandoned in New South Wales. The banking system also crashed.
1890 Pastoral Hotel built.
1891 Harold Dutton Mallalluieu hanged, 2nd June at Dubbo Gaol.
1892 First Butter Factory opened at Minore.
Minister of Agriculture makes a grant to the P A and H Association, of £350 ($700) for national prizes. This was to encourage agriculture in the district.
1893 Showground grandstand built.
Flour Mill established.
1894 Water connected.
1895 Waltzing Matilda first sung in public in Queensland.
1896 Gun Club formed.
1897 Local telephone service installed, opened 16th November at Town Hall. Lady Mayoress rang the hospital.
Victoria Park renamed, formerly Queens Park. The Duck Pond, called.
”Victoria Lake” was enlarged by John Whitney at 9d per yard. The fountain installed costing £25-5-00 ($50-50), was unveiled 22nd June, by Lady Mayoress, Mrs.Ryan, wife Mayor Richard James Joseph Ryan.
“Elston Park” fountain erected shortly after at a cost of £11 ($22).
Land Board Office erected in Brisbane Street.
March saw the formation of the Town Tennis Club in Bultje St., Opened 17th July.
Polo Club formed.
Thomas Moore hanged, 24th June, at Dubbo Gaol.
Committee formed to “look into” building a swimming pool.
1898 Large fire burnt out the Chinese quarter in block bounded by Bultje, Bligh and Wingewarra Sts.
Golf Club formed, near Hospital.
Wong Ming hanged, 13th December at Dubbo Gaol.
1899 ‘Riverbank’ Wool Scour Works (Mr. Gordon) opened.
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1900's | 1910's | 1920's | 1930's | 1940's | 1950's | 1960's | 1970's | 1980's | 1990's
1900’s
Not much land clearing (known as ‘grubbing’) had taken place before this time. Difficulty of ploughing practices kept farming areas small.
During this era there were a lot of Indian Hawkers. Replenishing stocks at railway stations, where prearranged goods had arrived. They called at Stock and Station Agents to advise where feed and water were plentiful or where drought conditions prevailed. A small retained was paid for this information or sometimes payment was in the form of feed or bits of harness.
‘Vanguard West’ written by Ned Konza Page 32 for a description of swaggies and page 37 for information on rabbits.
Of the large runs taken up in the early years only Barbigal, The Springs, The Meadows, Terramungamine and Murrumbidgerie remained by this time.
1900 Outbreak of typhoid fever.
Snow in Dubbo, 15th July.
Dubbo Racecourse dedicated 22nd August.
1901 First motor car appeared in Dubbo.
Jacky Underwood hanged, 14th January, at Dubbo Gaol.
1902 Mrs. Blanche Soane (nee Dulhunty) was the first woman to enrol to vote.
Brotherhood of the Good Shepherd established.
1903 Writer Lennie Lower born in Wellington, 3rd September.
Ground set aside in Victoria Park for 3 sports ovals.
18th July: Hall in Church St. leased by The Salvation Army.
1904 Ah Check hanged, 28th June, at Dubbo Gaol.
Sports Ground opened.
Farmers and Settlers State Conference held in Dubbo.
Town Bowling Club Committee formed.
1905 Second ‘White’ Bridge opened still at end of Bultje Street.
Dubbo Advertiser changed name to Dubbo Liberal.
Installation of Dubbo to Sydney telephone line.
1906 Dubbo Bowling Club opened 10th March.
McCallum’s Macquarie Brewery (72 Brisbane Street) converted to a Butter Factory.
7th March – Talbragar Shire Council formed.
Talbragar Shire formed with Isaac Roberts as first President, and A Wurfel, Shire Clerk.
1907 Time capsule buried under Foundation stone of new hospital extensions.
The building now (2004) occupied by Shakespeare’s Funeral Parlour was used as the site of cookery classes for Central School.
Commercial Banking Co, of Sydney Ltd. Moved across the road the new premises. Now the called the National Bank.
1908 New racecourse constructed on present site.
First picture show held at Masonic Hall.
Dubbo Base Hospital completed.
Plans and specifications drawn up for Swimming Pool.
3rd Anglican Rectory built.
1909 Dame Nellie Melba came to Dubbo and sang at ‘The Pines’ the residence of George Taylor.
Horse-drawn Ambulance Service established.
First garage established to repair motor cars.
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1910's
1910 First Eisteddfod held in Dubbo.
Sewerage discussed by Council.
1911 First swimming carnival held at ‘Devils’ Hole on the Macquarie River, north of town.
Tracker Alec Riley joined the Police Force. First Aboriginal to become a Sergeant.
1912 First aerial flight seen in Dubbo at the Show.
10th December, Tripp and Henderson’s store opened in Talbragar Street, still exists (2002).
St Faiths became a Girls hostel.
1913 Monarch Picture Palace opened.
Sewerage Survey undertaken. Work commenced but was abandoned in 1916.
1914 Talbragar Street paved with tar.
1915 Recruitment Camp set up at Dubbo Showground.
Specifications drawn up for Drill Hall in Darling Street.
1916 Elizabeth ‘Granny’ Harper died, 12th November.
6pm closing of Hotels introduced.
Fire Station and Drill Hall constructed in Victoria Park.
1917 Dubbo High School began with C H Christmas as first Principal.|
George Henry Taylor died at his residence ‘The Pines’.
1918 Peace declared – Fire Bell rang till the clapper fell out and the Post Office clock stopped.
1919 Dedication, at Methodist Church on 3rd August 1918, of twenty four camphor laurel trees. Twenty two trees for WWI service men and women from Dubbo’s Methodist Church, plus one each for Joseph Cox and Samuel Armstrong. A palm tree was planted in the front garden in memory of who paid the ultimate sacrifice. [Refer: Uniting Church file].
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1920's
1920 Flu epidemic – Showground grandstand became a temporary hospital, which opened on 26th.
Jean Lee born in Dubbo (correct name Marjorie Wright)– the last woman to be hanged in Australia.
1921 Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) visited 13th August.
Fire Station in Darling Street opened.
1922 Population now over 5,032 [From the NSW Year Book].
1923 Western Stores built a grand new façade.
Establishment of first C.W.A. branch in Dubbo.
Castlereagh Hotel burnt down for the second time.
1924 The beginning of the Astley Cup.
Tower and Bells added to Holy Trinity.
Electricity introduced.
1925 Visit by Prime Minister Stanley Bruce.
1926 War Memorial (Cenotaph) unveiled, 25th April in Victoria Park and gardens laid out.
Friday, 27th February at 8:00pm: Electricity officially switched on in the Town Hall. First street lights erected in Macquarie St between Talbragar and Wingewarra Streets.
Dubbo to Molong rail line completed.
1927 Dubbo Golf Course moved to present site.
Foundation Stone laid for new St.Andrews Presbyterian Church in Wingewarra St.
Baptist Church services held in Protestant Hall (Roxy Theatre). On 13th October the Church building and Sunday School rooms were opened.
Bowling Greens constructed in Victoria Park.
1928 Mechanics Institute opened.
Ambulance Motor Vehicle replaces the horse-drawn service.
Further plans and specifications for Swimming Pool.
1929 Clarrie Taylor opened the Monarch Empire Theatre, 4th July.
Sewerage System completed.
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1930's
1930 New Commonwealth Bank opened in Macquarie Street.
Town connected to Sewerage system.
First Baby Health Clinic established by CWA.
1931 The Royal Talkie Theatre opened with ‘Rio Rita’.
First plane landed in Dubbo.
‘The Southern Star’ (aeroplane) [VH-UMG] visited with the Western Suburbs Cricket Team, Manager and Trainer who were the 1st to charter a plane to fulfil an engagement.
Coursing Club formed.
1932 North Dubbo Infants School opened.
Basketball Club formed.
1933 Old Weir on Macquarie River (north of town) constructed.
1934 Butter and Cheese factory opened.
1935 NSW Hardcourt Tennis Championship held at Dubbo.
St. Aloysius, Catholic boy’s school closed and the property was sold to Dubbo Council.
1936 Dubbo Olympic Pool opened, 3:00 pm on 2nd December 1935 at a cost of £30,000. The pool committee was formed in 1897, with the plans being brawn up in 1908 and again 1927.
Official opening of Aerodrome and air service from Dubbo.
Nancy Bird visited Dubbo.
Tennis Courts constructed in Victoria Park.
Improvements to The Salvation Army Citadel – re-opened 7th December.
1937 Radio Station 2DU opened 2nd December.
Balcony of Macquarie View Hotel collapsed.
1938 Nurses home at District Hospital under construction.
1938 Second Council Chambers built in Macquarie Street.
1939 Andrew Moss murder trial – first in NSW with no corpse. Tracker Riley played a leading role in the investigation.
A rally of 3,000 people help to fill the town’s quota of 200 militia needed for the.
Government recruitment scheme.
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1940's
1940 Construction of the Army Camp on the site of what became the Western Plains Zoo.
Toilet block added to the Drill Hall in Darling Street.
1941 Errol Baylis Serisier (grandson of Jean Emile) elected for his fifth term as Mayor.
New Weir on Macquarie River (south of town) constructed.
Sergeant Edgar William Honeysett awarded a Bravery Medal.
Military Camp established.
1942 Dubbo RAAF Base established (No 6 Stores Depot – largest in the southern hemisphere).
Corvette HMAS Dubbo launched.
New Ambulance Station in Brisbane Street opened.
1943 Tracker Alec Riley, the first Australian Aboriginal to be presented with the King’s Medal. The presentation took place 17th September, at Government House, by the Governor for NSW, Lord Wakehurst.
1944 District Hospital became Base Hospital 23rd July.
West Dubbo School opened.
1945 Unemployment benefit introduced.
1946 Dubbo Airport taken over by Dept. of Civil Aviation.
1947 Dubbo Wool Store erected on Cobborah Road at a cost of £60,000. Never used as a wool store. Later became Telecommunication Commission Divisional Headquarters (Demolished 2001).
1948 Pathology services introduced to Hospital.
1949 Centenary Celebrations held. Mr.J.J.Cahill, Deputy Premier of NSW unveiled a memorial plaque, at the Council Chambers, to honour the “Pioneers”.
Technical College opened.
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1950's
1950 Rural electricity switched on.
1951 Celebrations for the Commonwealth Jubilee.
Seven Seas Stamps established.
1952 Foundation Stone laid for CWA Baby Health Centre and Rest Rooms in Wingewarra Street, 19th August.
1953 Dubbo Infants School opened.
Abattoirs established and construction commenced.
Monier block at Dubbo High School built [D/L 21-01-2004, P3 … was thrown up during one of Australian architecture’s less inspired era.”.
1954 Abattoir opened 17th September.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visited on 10th February.
First Motel in Dubbo opened – Merino in Church Street.
1955 Disastrous floods – largest in history. Flood level markers were placed around the CBD.
1956 Second big flood hits Dubbo – causes economic setbacks.
Bonds Industries factory closes.
Television introduced to Australia – but not yet in Dubbo.
1957 Westhaven Association established.
Macquarie County Council began.
1958 Lourdes Hospital opened 14th March.
Errol Serisier died in Sydney.
‘Dubbo Liberal’ newspaper changed name to ‘Daily Liberal’.
1959 29th June – Inaugural meeting of Civilian Widows Assoc. in Red Cross Rooms.
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1960's
1960 Les Ford elected to Parliament.
1961 Dubbo RSL Club built on present site.
1962 Blood Bank commenced at Dubbo Hospital.
Dubbo and District Public Library opened.
1963 Television arrived from CBN8 Orange (1st Program Variety Show with Bobby Limb).
First “test patterns” received 17th February, and first programme in March.
Dubbo Rescue Squad formed.
1964 ‘The Falls’ purchased by Edgells and 100 acres of asparagus planted.
Parkes Radio Telescope opened.
1965 Western District Lawn Cemetery opened.
Commencement of the construction of the new South Dubbo High School building.
September 24th, Pioneer Museum opened on old Drill Hall, Mr Andy Graham, Curator.
1966 Dubbo South High School opened with Mr. L Waterhouse as principal.
Police Station in Brisbane Street constructed.
February 14th, Australia’s monetary system changes from £.s.d’s to $ and ¢’s.
Dubbo General Cemetery adjoining the Racecourse (New) reserved by Gazette 3rd September.
1967 Dubbo proclaimed a City by His Excellency Sir Roden Cutler, at 1.30 pm 12th September.
Population 15,364.
Gaol officially closed as a prison in August.
Sister’s of Mercy celebrated their centenary.
1968 Work commenced on Dubbo’s tallest building – Oliver House in Church Street.
February, Museum moved to old Bank of NSW (built 1874) building in Macquarie St.
Foundation stone laid for Dubbo War Memorial Civic Centre on 28th April 1967.
Dubbo High School celebrated 50 years of teaching.
1969 War Memorial Civic Centre opened 22nd March – cost $700,000.
Dubbo Museum opened in Macquarie Street, 12th October (December?).
Ansett Aviation Repair Workshop built.
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1970's
1970 L.H. Ford Bridge opened, 26th September.
1971 Commencement of withdrawal of Australian troops from Vietnam.
1972 Air Terminal opened.
Macquarie Private Hospital opened in Fitzroy Street.
City Caravan Park opened, 9th June.
1973 New Civic Administration offices, which included Macquarie Regional Library, opened in Church Street.
City Council held a special meeting on 24th April to celebrate the Centenary of the first Municipal Council meeting.
1974 New concept in shopping – Riverdale Centre commenced.
Science and Library Block built at Dubbo High School.
1975 Old Dubbo Gaol restored and opened to the public as a tourist attraction.
1976 New Obstetrics Block opened at the Hospital.
1977 Talbragar Shire appointed first full time Health and Building Surveyor.
Wambangalang Field Study Centre opened.
1978 Western Plains Zoo opened.
John Gilbert Water Filtration Plane started.
Ethel Steadman died, 15th January.
1979 Dubbo Square (Dubbo City Centre) opened.
Daily Liberal moved office to Wheelers Lane.
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1980's
1980 Orana Mall opened.
Dubbo Nursing Home opened.
Radio 2DU moved from Macquarie Street to Carrington Avenue.
1981 Talbragar Shire merged with Dubbo City Council.
Plaque placed on “Drift Wells” at the western end of Tamworth Street.
1982 Population 28,503.
New Water Filtration opened.
Delroy High School opened.
New Court Complex opened.
Inaugural flight of Boeing 747 ‘City of Dubbo’.
1983 First XPT train arrives.
Post Office moved to Talbragar Street.
Orana Heights Primary School commenced in Birch Avenue, East Dubbo.
Orana Community College extended.
Dubbo Christian School opened.
Grace Bros took over Myers Store.
Gil Henderson 100th Birthday, 13th July.
1984 Orana Community College opens in Myall Street.
Disastrous Christmas Day Bushfires.
1985 Dubbo Council commissioned the first Heritage Study of the City.
1986 Norm Cox died in his 25th year as a Council Alderman.
1987 Commonwealth Office Block opened, December.
Macquarie Electricity moved to Hawthorne Street.
Serisier Bridge in Erskine Street opened 21st February.
1988 Bi-Centennial Year.
Dundullimal Homestead restored and opened to the public.
Building of the Royal Coach completed.
Fletchers International Abattoirs opened.
1989 Wellington Bridge collapsed, 6th January.
Bi-centenary fountain installed at DCC Civic Administration Building.
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1990's
1990 First Dubbo flooding since the Burrendong Dam was completed.
Dubbo opened its doors to victims from Nyngan flooding.
First roundabout constructed at Whylandra and Victoria Streets.
1991 $1 mil. Fire damage to Delroy High School, 12th July.
1992 Rainbow Cottage – Family Day Care run by Council opened, 7th January.
Chernobyl children visit Dubbo.
1993 Mungeribar Manor, Narromine burnt down, 4th August.
1994 Moran private Hospital opened.
Captain and crew of HMAS Dubbo exercise their right of Freedom of the City.
1995 Inaugural Fred Hollows Relay Race passes through Dubbo.
1996 Gallop Inn destroyed by fire – Arson.
First cremation at Western Districts Crematorium.
1997 First students enrolled at Dubbo Campus of Charles Sturt University.
Tracker Riley Cycle Way opened 20th June.
1998 Work commenced on upgrade to District Hospital.
Work commenced on Juvenile Justice Centre.
1999 Sesquicentenary celebrations.
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2000's
2000 Millennium Bug never happened.
2001 Severe storm causes millions of dollars of damage, 6th January.
Council purchases Old Dubbo High School Site.
2002 Dubbo Museum moves to Administration building at Old Dubbo High Site. Collection into storage at the Airport.
2003 15th April, fire causes severe damage to Civic Administration Building (Council).
17th April, Council operations transfer to Old Dubbo High School site.
2004 Planning commenced for Museum, Gallery and Community Cultural Centre.
2005 Construction started on Museum, Gallery at the Community Cultural Centre.
2006 City Council presented with Bleuitt Award for most outstanding council in NSW 19th September.
2006 Dubbo Outback Cultural Centre opened to the public 20th September. Renamed Western Plains Cultural Centre.
2007 Police Station, in Brisbane Street, demolished to make way for their new three storey building. Police moved to St. John’s Primary School as a temporary measure.
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