George Psaltis's shop, and Jack Pente's shop, in Miller Street, Gilgandra, latter 1940's.

A wonderful photograph, a copy of which was given to me by Robyn Walton, editor of Coo-ee Calls in Gilgandra, in Nov 2005.

My guess is that a political rally is being held in the empty block, on the site of what would later become the Bank of New South Wales (Westpac) building.

From the style of cars in the street, my guess is that the time is the latter part of the 1940's.

Note the two working windmills, close to the centre of the town (upper right hand corner - between the trees). Gilgandra is known as the town of windmills.

George (Proto)Psaltis's cafe is clearly visible on the left hand side. He is probably the person standing outside the shop (much clearer in the original photograph), looking across to the rally. He is advertising Meals At All Hours. I never saw that style of signage for the Monterey Cafe in my childhood (I was born in 1952). My guess would be that the signage probably altered after the 1955 flood.

The last shop on the extreme right - 41 Miller Street - is probably that owned by John (known as "Jack") Pentes at the time. The man leaning up against the pole in his apron is probably Jack Pentes.
In 1949 he would sell this business to Con George (Tzortzo)Poulos .

Note the old blue background Bushell's sign on the side of the building - facing what was a laneway down to Morris Street.

The sign would change in the early 1950's, under Poulos's management, to the famous big Pineapple - Fresh Fruit and Vegetables sign.

The businesses in Miller Street from Left to Right were owned or managed by:

Eddy Townsend - Real Estate Agent
Jimmy Holmes - Chemist
Jack Bartley - Miller and James
George Psaltis - Cafe and Milk Bar
??(Just before Glen Convary's time)- Newsagency
Wally Lesley - Butcher
Bill Crenaune - Saddler
Jack Pentes - General Business and Fruit Shop