The service station at the top of Greenmount Hill on the corner or Gt Eastern Highway and Bilgoman Road was originally constructed in the early 1930s by Mr A. Moffatt.
It was originally trading under the name 'White Hall Service Station', before becoming the National Park Service Station. The service station was then purchased around 1938 by Vivian Richard Donovan, who later renamed it Donovan's Service Station.
Vivian Donovan served in 2nd World War (New Guinea as a regimental sergeant major in the 2nd 11th Div sigs). His father Alf and wife ran the service station while he was away.
In 1957 the Main Roads Department re-aligned the road by lowering it and making the driveway too difficult for trucks to access. After much deliberation Vivian decided to rebuild the service station. The existing service station which was also the house was moved on a jinker to the adjoining block which he also owned.
This dwelling still stands as a house today. Mr Donovan sold the service station to Des and Daphne Bush in 1962. Viv and his 2nd wife Win lived in the house until his death in 1989 and Win lived there until her passing in 1996.
Today the 1957 garage still stands behind the colorbond sheeting of the new 24/7 Self Service Petrol Station.
Photos courtesy of Marcia Wellburn.
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