Changing Murrurundi: Dooleys Store

By Des Dugan

IN just over two years Duneet Kalra and Ajaypal Singh have managed to carve out a nice little commercial business in Wallabadah and Murrurundi.

The partnership, which first bought the Wallabadah service station two years ago, was an indication of what is to come for Murrurundi.

Their purchase of the Maureen and Bowd’ family business of Dooleys midyear is a big jump from a service station at Wallabadah.

Dooleys has the pedigree, established in 1872 by Thomas Graham, at it’s pinnacle it was the biggest store in the region and sold everything from drapery to food and tools.

At one stage it even sold cars.

One of the agreement housed at Murrurundi & District Historical Society Inc. of a past purchases included a clause in the document specifying the new owners could not change the name.

For those taking notice, the Wallabadah purchase resulted in a complete turnaround of the business.

Renovation and cheaper prices were not the only result, it became a refreshed and more professional business, so when the news came the pair had bought Dooleys in Murrurundi you could be assured there was going to be changes.

The name Dooley first appeared over the door in 1901.

It was a truly family business and was very successfully — it became the premier retailer in the region.

Since then there have been two owners, the Mathieson’s and the Bowds.

From a basically run-down tired old operation at Wallabadah the boys changed the supplier, cleaned up the shop and stocked it with hardware and food to compliment the serving of petrol and gave the old boards a new coat of paint.

Ash admits it was hard work but it was worth it. The station is close to running itself now and one of the best on the highway.

And first looks suggest the Murrurundi purchase is being approached in the same way, however, it will be a lot harder.

“In the city you are a number, out here in the country there is a lot of love,” Ash said.

“We want to help people here, elderly people — it’s good to serve them.”

He said the store was improving day-by-day: “New eyes are good, people are supportive and we try to satisfy and respect them,” he said.

The new owners have installed a chicken takeaway to compliment its coffee shop and according to customers, there has already been some price cuts.

The cellar business is better stocked with a wider range of goods and there are suggestions the store will go for a full post office licence instead of the present agency business.

Ash said over the next 10 months there will be a lot of changes however, it is doubtful the supplier will change.

“We will bring in different products,” Ash said, however, he emphasised, “we do not have any timetable.”

He said the company might introduce a  lucky draw in the future with people getting a ticket with each purchase.

“Buy groceries and you will get a ticket,” he said.

He would not elaborate on the prizes nor when this might take place.

“You can only push yourself to implement them”, he said.

“I would like to thank the people who support us already, they are beautiful people, very open and very accepting.”

Ash came from the South Coast and found people generally want to support locals. “But we have to be competitive,” he said

“You can get away with a very small price difference but you still have to be competitive.”

However, their attitude is working, the number of people travelling to Quirindi or to Scone to shop has dropped remarkably.

This is reflected in the people using the TransCare bus service.

Drivers profess since the changeover to the new owners, the numbers booking on the free bus service to shop outside the area have dropped.