Wednesday, October 17, 2012

DISASTER STRIKES SNAKE GULLY

Dad, Dave and Mabel  are  shocked by the news that the great Australian music business, Allan's, started in  Melbourne some 160 years ago,  is closing  down all its stores , owing  $40million, resulting in  the  loss  of  more  than 500 jobs.  Allan's amalgamated  with Billy Hyde Music   just two years ago and was hit  by  internet  competition  and  declining retail trading  conditions. Over  the   years  it produced   vast  amounts of  sheet music covering historic events such  as  early aviators like  Bert Hinkler , dance crazes  and  the many  pantomimes, such as Dick Whittington and his Cat , which used to be staged throughout the nation. (Snake Gully Swagger   cover ,copyright 1939, from Little Darwin  Collection )