This month’s blog posts concern places on the Avoca Walking Tour, a brochure published by the Pyrenees Tourism Association. An online transcription is available here.
Between 1870 and 1873, this building was operated by Tea Merchant, H. Brooks. In 1886, Kate Herlihy ran a grocery and drapers store here. In the 1960s Bill Burke operated as a barber from these premises.
Allotment 4 of section 7 in the Avoca Township was first acquired by C.K. Pearson (1827-1909), a jeweller and watchmaker, in 1856.
Henry Brooks (1833-1914) operated a grocery business from the premises from 1871.
Kate Kirby (1848-1928) was born in County Cork, Ireland. In 1869 she married James Herlihy (1846-1876). They emigrated to Victoria arriving in January 1871. A son was born on the voyage.
James Herlihy became a mounted policeman. In 1876 he was posted to Avoca. In January 1876 two children of the Herlihy family, aged 3 and 6, died and were buried in Avoca cemetery. Shortly afterwards Constable Herlihy was posted to Donald. He fell from his horse on 24 July and died a week later. He was buried in Avoca cemetery. Kate Herlihy was widowed with two young children, a two year old and an infant. She was reported to have been entitled to a widow’s pension of £120 per year.
In 1877, the year after her husband’s death Mrs K Herlihy commenced business as a milliner and dressmaker in High Street Avoca.
In 1881 she moved to new premises on High Street near the Avoca Hotel.
Mrs. K. Herlihy, of Trevenee House, Avoca, announces in our columns that she wishes the inhabitants of Avoca and district generally to know that she has just received a very large and well-assorted stock of new and fashionable goods, which comprise ladies' and gentlemen's clothing of every description. She has also a splendid assortment of boots and shoes. Dress-making and millinery in all their branches are carried on at the establishment, and under the entire management of Mrs. Herlihy.
Mrs K Herlihy served as president of the Avoca Ladies’ Benevolent Society.
Mrs Herlihy was still in business in 1915 and owned the shop in High street at the time of her death as well as several other properties. 111 High Street (allotment 4 of section 7) was valued at £800 at the time of probate.
Collection of the Centre for the Government of Queensland
Retrieved from Avoca and Avoca Shire | Victorian Places
In 1994 the Avoca Shire Heritage Study reported:
By the 1920s the store had passed to Mr Henderson who sold a range of fruit and vegetables. In the 1930s Lou Summers ran a drapery store here. Bill Burke was proprietor of the store in the 1960s and he ran a barbers shop at the front of the building while living at the back. Later the Hushwaite's bought the property and Ralph Rowe is the present [in 1993] owner.
Further reading
- Pyrenees Shire Heritage Precinct Study (2001) Volume 2(PDF, 8MB)
- A049 111 High Street, p 133
- Avoca Heritage Study 1864-1994 Volume 3(PDF, 10MB)
- A49 111 High Street, image 59
Wikitree:
- Charles Kelvey Pearson (1827-1909)
- Henry Brooks (1833-1914)
- Kate (Kirby) Herlihy (1848-1928)
- Thomas “Tom” Henderson (1892-1952)
- Lewis Frederick Summers (1891-1963)
