Frank Halloran
Born on the 7th of December at Mudgee to Frances and Helen Halloran of Gulgong, Frank had a life- long interest and love for Gulgong. He worked assiduously for the preservation of Gulgong's historic past and its many beautiful old buildings as well as the promotion of the town.
Frank Halloran was a devout Catholic. He was a member of the Holy Name Society, St Vincent De Paul and the St John Baptists Parish Council. For many years he was secretary of the Parents and Friends Association at the Gulgong Convent School.
He was the first Secretary of the Gulgong Pioneers Museum and a founding member. As the instigator of the purchase and restoration of the Prince of Wales Opera House, Frank was energetic in his work to carry on the project with the Gulgong Music and Dramatic Society. He also served as Secretary and President of the Society as well as producer of many of the Society's productions.
Mr Halloran was the founder member of the Henry Lawson Society and former President, a founder member of the Heritage Committee and the Conservation Society.
He was Secretary of the Baths Committee which brought about the construction of the Olympic Pool at Gulgong. Frank Halloran also served a period on the Mudgee Shire Council Tourist Committee and was Secretary of the back to Gulgong Weekend.
He had been the instigator of Gulgong obtaining a Steinway piano and the formation of the Steinway piano trust as well as the instigator of the Gulgong Eisteddfod.
He was also a member of the Gulgong Memorial Hall Committee and a member of the Maryvale Sandy Hollow Railway Committee. Frank also had a regular Saturday morning program on 2MG promoting Gulgong.
Frank Halloran was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident on the 20th April 1982 and on this day Gulgong lost its greatest advocate.
An extract from a tribute from Betty Owens of the Gulgong Writing Group follows which expresses the feeling of those who respected and loved Frank.
Let's not say "Goodbye" to Frank Halloran for despite the moving service in his memory he is still very much with us.
he's here in every building of the small town of Gulgong that he knew and loved so well
he's here in every committee he ever formed, in the minutes of every meeting he ever chaired, in every idea he put forward for the betterment of Gulgong.
his enthusiasm was contagious and his optimism moved mountains, his shoulder bore the brunt of much criticism but his gay unflagging spirit refused to recognize defeat.
so let's not say "goodbye" to Frank for how can he be gone when he has left so much with us?
Source: Mudgee Regional Library
Frank and Jill Halloran, Gulgong Cemetery
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Patrick P Halloran (1854-1930) and Elizabeth Halloran had the following children (registered in Gulgong and Rylstone):
- ALMA C - 1889
- ANNIE R I - 1891?
- FRANCIS JAMES - 1892-1953
- CYRIL MICHAEL R - 1893-1955 (Newtown)
- CECIL M - 1895
- ANNIE MARIA - 1897-1964 (Parramatta)
- UNNAMED MALE - 1899
- GRACE L - 1900
- EDWARD J - 1900-1901 (Gulgong)
- ALICE M - 1901
- ELIZABETH A - 1901
- FREDERICK S - 1904
- PATRICK P - died 1927?
Patrick and Elizabeth Halloran, Gulgong Cemetery
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Francis Halloran (Snr) was born in 1892 in Gulgong. He married Helen O'Connor (1891-1945) in Gulgong in 1925. Their children were:
- FRANCIS
- PAUL
- JOHN
- MARY - died in infancy 24.4.1926
Helen died in 1946. Frank died in 1953. They are buried near Frank and Jill Halloran.
1953 - DEATH - MR FRANK HALLORAN SNRLate Mr. Francis Halloran Had Qualities of Character Which Gained People's Respect and Admiration
— — — ooo— — —
The Gulgong and nearby districts were greatly shocked recently by the death of Mr. Francis Halloran, head of the firm of Frank Halloran and Co., auctioneers, of Herbert Street.
His health had not been good for some years, and he had occasionally received treatment in Sydney and shown signs of recovery. He was admitted to the Gulgong District Hospital some days before he died.
The late Mr. Halloran, who was 61 years of age, was a native of Canadian Lead, where he attended school, the teacher in charge being the late Mr. M. Kane. His parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Halloran, were early pioneers of that area.
Leaving school Frank went to; Sydney to work for the Clyde Engineering Co., returning to the district to take up share farming with his brother, Patrick Halloran, who passed away some 26 years ago. After, assisting in the conduct of the Prince of Wales Hotel, of which his brother-in-law, the late Mr. Egan, was licensee and later his sister, Mrs. Egan, Frank commenced an auctioneering business—about the year 1932.
He was an alderman of the former Gulgong Municipal Council which later was merged with the Wyaldra (now Gulgong) Shire Council. He was secretary to the No. 1 Building Society and took an interest in other worthwhile movements in the town. One of his latest ventures was in the establishment of the Associated Agents saleyards adjoining the local trucking yards.
His wife passed away in 1946.
The late Mr. Halloran was a man with many friends, all of whom testify with gratitude to the goodly fellowship enjoyed with him. Frank, as he was affectionately known to all and sundry, will be sadly missed in the town. He was a man with strong convictions on public matters and no one doubted his sincerity. He had qualities of character which gained for him the respect and admiration of all who had the good fortune to know him—and the number was legion. Every Gulgongite has good reason to remember and respect Francis Halloran. He held a very definite place in the business life of the town—a town which he loved—and took a kindly interest in the moral welfare of the whole community. He was a man with very fine ideals.
The funeral was one of the largest ever seen in Gulgong, and was representative of the commercial, rural and sporting interests, and was a striking tribute of respect to a member of a family which has been associated with the district for so long a period.
Requiem Mass was celebrated in St. John the Baptist Church at 9 a.m. by Rev. Father O'Herlihy, of Kandos and formerly of Gulgong, in the absence of Rev. Father Crowe, P.P., who officiated at a service in the afternoon, assisted by Farthers O'Herlihy and Gilbourne. The Rosary was recited by Mr. Ted Brophy, Members of the local branch of the Holy Name Society preceded the cortege to the Catholic portion of the Gulgong cemetery.
The late Mr. Halloran is survived by three sons: Francis and Paul (Gulgong) and John (Eastwood), and by the following brothers and sisters: Mr. Fred Halloran (Dubbo), Mesdames. M. Hickey (Curlewis), E. Huxley (Parramatta), B. J. Egan (Gulgong), A. Buckley (Sydney) and Miss A. M. Halloran (Parramatta).
Our sincere sympathy is extended to the bereaved ones.
