William Boody was born in Queensland in 1901. His first employment was at Cribb & Footes Department Store as a clerk. At the age of 21 his position was terminated as was the practice at the time because full adult wages had to be paid once you were 21 years of age. William decided to go into business for himself and in 1922 purchased the Charletons building at Hungry Flats now Brassall.
In October of 1924, William married Eleanor Maud Wightman and together they managed Boody’s Store. An extension was built onto the back of the store and William and Eleanor set up home there. In 1927 their only son George Thomas Boody was born. George worked in the family business after finishing his education at Brassall State School. The Boody family involved themselves in the issues and livelihood of the Brassall community and William was on many a committee. When George their son was at school, William was on the Brassall Schools Parents & Citizens Committee as well as the Brassall Citizens Committee. William was also a member of the Pride of Brassall Lodge.
In its early days Boody’s business was to supply and deliver by horse and cart produce to local farmers. During the second World War ration tickets were used to purchase essential food stuffs like flour, butter or tea. The business went through some hard times over the years but William and Eleanor were very determined and slowly the business grew.
In 1959 their son George passed away. In 1964 William Boody passed away. He was 63 years of age.
Mrs Boody went on to run the store with help from Neville Wendt and Ashley Heck over the years. The 1974 Australia Day floods inundated the Ipswich area and the store was flooded with all stock lost. Mrs Boody offered Mr Heck a partnership after the floods and was able to leave the running of the store to Ashley and his wife and take some much deserved time off. In 1982 Mrs Boody turned 80 and decided to retire and sell the store. The Heck’s agreed to sell their half as well. The business has passed through a few hands over the years but always stayed as a convenience store. It was sold to Steven Clark, then to Ted and Maureen Flint, and then Dennis Mullins in 2007.
Along the way the business has kept the name of Boodys Store and added a new side business brought in by way of a 10m long wall of lollies. The Great Wall of lollies helped to revive the name and business of Boody’s store throughout Ipswich especially among the younger generation.
On Sunday 17th November, 2013 due to declining consumer trade, the Boodys Convenience Store at Brassall closed its doors.
What will be the next chapter in the story of Boody’s Store? We can only hope that whatever the future brings the history and character of this store will be recognized and maintained so that all generations can appreciate and realize an important part of Ipswich’s early history.
Information taken from: Brassall State School – 100 years 1894 – 1994, “Lolly wall tumbles down” by Geoff Egan, The Queensland Times 18-11-13, “Boody’s bows out of lolly business after 91 years”, The Queensland Times 7-11-13, “Division 25 Warden”, The Queensland Times 15-2-1943, “Brassall Citizen’s Meeting”, The Queensland Times 24-4-1944.