April 29, 2025

Catching Up With Allan

Allan Colquhoun grew up in Sydney, but his life has taken him far beyond the city limits. In his youth, he worked with a station owner named Bob, whose property combined dairy and sheep farming with a focus on Jersey bulls and cows. One vivid memory that’s stayed with him is of Bob chasing down a bull meant for butchering on his stock horse —a beast that, to Allan’s amazement, climbed over the holding fence one hoof at a time to escape.

Allan spent most of his working life as a coastal traveller, labouring up and down Australia’s eastern seaboard. He was in North Queensland during Cyclone Althea in 1971 and witnessed the destruction of Brampton Island Resort, which would later become defunct after a second devastating cyclone.

In 1999, Allan made Ingham his permanent home. Now retired, his vision for Ingham's future is simple but meaningful: accessible community clubs where people can gather for a chat and enjoy a proper coffee. A lover of flat whites himself, Allan reckons that community begins with good yak and a great cup of coffee.

Allan enjoying a flat white at Ingham's own JK's Delicatessen & Cafe. Photo credit: Victoria Velton