Gnowangerup History

One of the big fundraisers for the P&C in those days was running monthly picture shows on Saturday nights, using the school's 35-millimeter projector. These shows were held in the Ongerup Hall, which even in those days had a reasonably large seating capacity (perhaps 100 or a few more) and boasted an elevated stage that included a wide movie screen contributed by the P&C. Jim, Jim Campbell, Len Faulkner, and several others were essentially the coordinators and operators of these activities.
Running the shows involved obtaining a movie from Perth, which would come down on the train to Broomehill and then on the road bus out to Ongerup. The 35-millimeter movies consisted of a number of large reels (about 450 mm in diameter) loaded with reams of celluloid film. The number of reels required for a movie was determined by its length (time). When a reel ran out, it took quite a few minutes to load the next one onto the projector. This meant that those in the cinema would be plunged into darkness for the time it took to change the reel. The P&C eventually overcame this situation with the acquisition of a second projector. Then it was a challenge to get the next reel started just as the previous one finished.
Of course, there were many events of consternation and high jinks when a projector bulb blew out, the film jammed, or even when a reel was loaded out of sync. Nevertheless, these cinema events were strongly supported, and mostly the hall was packed to capacity, with people from the district coming in from far and wide. At intermission, there was always a treat for young and old, as the café just down the street opened, and cool drinks, lollies, and ice creams were enjoyed. They were great community events!
In around 1956, a family by the name of Ray decided that Ongerup needed a hotel. They approached Jim and several other people in the town and district to form a syndicate to finance the venture. This resulted in five shareholders in the venture, Jim being one. The hotel was completed and opened in 1957 after Jim and respected farmer Mr. Andy O'Neil traveled to Katanning to successfully acquire a license to operate from the then Minister in Charge of the Licensing Authority. Jim remained a shareholder until he left Ongerup to retire in Perth.
When the railway line closed in 1957, it meant a very significant change to Jim and Madeline's business. Overnight, the government contracts evaporated, and suddenly the trucking side of the business changed from one of relatively short haul to one of uncertainty. For the case of fertilizer (superphosphate), fuel, and wool, there was a need to cart much longer distances to and from Albany. Unfortunately, for Jim and Madeline's business, the one thing that they were not able to do was obtain a license to cart grain from the Ongerup and surrounding CBH bins to Albany Port. This meant that, even though the E.J. & M. Brown business was well supported by local businesses and farmers, profitability was not good enough to survive in the long term, and diversification was a must.
Over the next few years, diversification did happen, and agencies for Elder Smith, Neptune Oil Company, Chamberlain, Bearing Services, CIG, Yamaha, and Mobil Gas became more of a focus and played a big part. In addition, Jim completed a Gas Installer Certificate, resulting in numerous venues and homes in the town and district being equipped with gas lighting, stoves and ovens, water heating, and refrigeration—all from bottled gas. All these activities, together with the trucking, super spreading, agencies, and the mail run, managed to place the business on sustainable footing.
In the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, in country towns such as Ongerup, doors were rarely locked, and keys could often be found in vehicle ignitions anywhere in town or on farms. Jim and Madeline's boys recall that whenever the family went away, the back door of the shed and house were always left with the key in them. Honesty was paramount in the community in those days, and if the Brown family was away, it was accepted that if any of Jim's clients needed a part, a drum or two of fuel, or a bottle of gas, they helped themselves and left a note on the office desk after entering through the back door of the shed. Jim and Madeline never denied anyone service and, on hundreds of occasions, helped customers with whatever they needed well out of business hours, Sundays, or public holidays, including Easter and Christmas.
In the early 70s, Jim and Dorothy Campbell decided to retire and sell their school bus round. Jim and Madeline bought the round, which came with an ancient Mercedes bus that had done innumerable miles. Jim and Madeline both drove the bus and greatly enjoyed the experience. The bus run remained part of the Brown business until Jim left Ongerup.
In 1974, Jim and Madeline parted ways, with Madeline moving to Perth. Jim remained in Ongerup, running the business and maintaining the school bus run.
Jim was a very good public speaker, and over the years, this led to him being called upon to chair numerous meetings and be the Master of Ceremonies at many public events and marriage ceremonies in the Ongerup district.
One of Jim's proudest moments was being asked to act as Master of Ceremonies at the opening of The Ongerup Wildflower Museum, just before leaving Ongerup.
After two hip replacements in the late 70s and his declining ability to undertake the physical work of his traditional business, and after many years of moving thousands of tonnes of goods, freight, and livestock throughout the district and up and down the road to Albany, Jim decided it was time to sell out and retire. After 32 years and what could be considered a considerable legacy in the contribution he made to the community and town, Jim left Ongerup to retire in Perth in 1980.
The people of the Ongerup district gave him a send-off with a pewter platter and goblets, and the school kids of the bus run presented him with a gift of two pewter mugs. Jim passed away at the age of 92 on 29 May 2012. Part of his ashes have been placed in the Remembrance Wall at Ongerup Cemetery.”