New book love letter to legendary western hotelier

A NEW book on the life and times of the legendary Harry, “Poppa” Corones and his equally famous hotel will be launched at the hotel on September 7, during Charleville’s 150 years celebrations. Poppa’s grandson Harry Corones will officiate. The Accidental Australians,

Harry and Jimmy Corones is the story of two young men who came from Kythera to Australia at the beginning of the 20th century and their total embrace of their new country.

Poppa became a legend in his own lifetime and both men catered to the wealthy and the famous in a style that had never been seen before and can never be repeated. Their story mirrors the rise and fall of a time when Australia rode the sheep’s back.

Harry Corones and his young nephew Jimmy left Greece and ended up in Charleville, an unlikely stepping stone to fame and fortune.

Harry would build a magnificent hotel, his “Taj Mahal on the Warrego” and play host to royalty, rock stars and everyone in between. Together he and Jimmy would carve out a life in Charleville and Quilpie to rival any Hollywood blockbuster.

Author Fran Harding has been many things in her life; nurse, business owner, mother of eight, publican, and now author.

When she and her husband Gordon bought a run-down hotel in Western Queensland in the late 1980s, she had no idea of the extraordinary story that was hidden beneath the peeling wallpaper and ugly carpet.

As she and Gordon slowly returned Hotel Corones to its former glory, Mrs Harding felt herself connecting deeply with the rich history of its colourful past.

“Under the peeling orange floral wallpaper and ugly carpet we discovered just how fabulous that past had been. Former clients, staff and family spoke of a time when Charleville meant Corones and the same held true for Quilpie,” she said.

“I squirrelled and recorded and many years later it is finally done. The hotel and the story will, I hope, continue to entice people to western Queensland.” The Accidental Australians

took nearly two decades to write. It is Mrs Harding’s love letter to Harry (Poppa) Corones and his jewel “The Raffles of the Weste”.

For more go to www.francesharding.com

Photo: Contributed OUR PAST: The magnificent dining room of the Hotel Corones, resplendent with damask, silver and sparkling glass. RIGHT: Fran Harding’s new book.