Places of the Name

‘The Donohue Highway is named after one of Boulia's past Mayors or Chairmen, Cliff Donohue. He is a local icon, who sadly passed away in the last few years. He was Chairman of the Boulia Shire Council from 1958 to 1976 and was a great asset to the Boulia Shire. He achieved a great deal for the Shire during his time as Chairman. He had a hand in developing the Boulia Golf Club in 1960, and due to his dedication he established sewerage systems, a swimming pool and improved electricity generation in the town. He was a local store owner, and father of four. He and his wife ran Donohue's Store in the main street of Boulia (Herbert Street). He purchased this store in 1948. He retired from Council in 1976 after opening two more Donohue's Stores in Charters Towers and Townsville. The Donohue store in Boulia closed when Cliff left town to run his other stores. The building is still in its original form, but only the house section is lived in and used now. Cliff Donohue was awarded an M.B.E in 1971 for services to the community. It was after he retired that Council decided the Donohue Highway be named after him.’