Connelly's - 1976 - 2026 - 1st Decade

The first decade

1.      Connelly’s Started out on the 9^th February 1976

2.      The first shop was a very small shop at 61 Lynch Street (circled in red) in the Royal Hotel complex (Now the Mill Tavern complex) directly across the lane from the Post Office (It is now Sureway).

3.      Geoff & Jenelle Connelly started the business with just one other staff member Chris Leoflath.  In fact, Geoff required an operation as they started and saw many Supplier reps in his hospital bed in Woden to source the Original stock, so Jenelle and Chris opened the store without Geoff.

4.      The original business name was Connelly’s Commercial Supplies. 

5.      The original product range included office supplies and stationery, filing cabinets along with manual and electronic typewriters (The technology of the time)

6.      Connelly’s has always had some sort or technical staff for service and repairs of the Business Equipment that was sold.

7.      Police once kicked in the front door of the Shop as there was Rifle fire coming from the Back of the Building. Turns out it was an employee who was shooting pidgeons out the window with an air rifle off the top of the Post office building

8.      In 1980 Connelly’s became the SHARP Authorised Dealer and Service centre for Photocopiers and Cash Registers. 

Early Photocopiers

9.      In 1981 Connelly’s were forced to relocate (the Royal Hotel was demolished to make way for the Mill Tavern complex) and setup shop at 137 Boorowa Street, between McInerney’s Menswear and the Criterion Hotel (It is now the Kebab House) – See Photo 

137 Boorowa Street, Young

10.   Connelly’s started offering a Photocopy service to the public (which continues today as aprint, copy or scan service).  They even had a copier that could print 2 Colours – Black & Red.

11.   In 1984 – Connelly’s sold the first 2 Fax Machines in Young and Harden to South West Slopes County Council. They sold for $2700 each.  (So this technology is now basically obsolete – a lifespan of approximately 35 years)

12.   It was during this time that we experienced some ve

ry challenging financial times with our Business loan incurring an interest rate of 21% which was very challenging and was almost fatal to the business.

Decade 2 to follow.....