Allora is thought to have been named after the Aboriginal word 'Gnallorah' meaning 'place in the swamp’. Whilst in occupancy of "Goomburra Station", either the Government resumed a square mile of land from the station, or P.Leslie surrendered about a square mile of his property, for the establishment of a township. The town was surveyed in 1859 and the first land sale of 1 acre lots was sold in 18
60. In the Government Gazette dated 24th. July 1869, Allora was constituted a Municipality as of 21st. June that year signed by the Governor at that time Samual Wensley Blackall. Local councillors were duly elected and the mayor, Frances Kates was installed at the first council meeting September 18 1869. Sale of Reserves (Allora’s Past 100 years ago, June 1907)
At Wednesday’s meeting of the Allora Town Council, Ald. Crookey moved that, owing to the high cost of maintaining the various Council administered reserves, the Minister of Lands be asked to sell the following reserves, The Licking Holes, Hanselmann’s Pocket and O’Callaghan’s Pocket to the west of the town, the Iron Bark Ridge and the Allora Mountain Reserves. A vote was taken and it was decided to sell the Licking Holes and Hanselmann’s Reserves while retaining O’Callaghan’s Pocket, Iron Bark Ridge and Allora Mountain Reserves. The shepherds hut known as the 'Allora Hut' was on the southern slope of Allora Mountain and manned by Samuel Gordon. As the crossing of Dalrymple Creek was popular with teamsters carting supplies between Ipswich-Warwick and Drayton, the crossing became known as 'Shepherds Crossing’. (information from the website of Allora Historical Society)
With this piece of early history in mind, Allora Mountain Flora & Fauna Reserve has been well known by the members of Allora Landcare Group as an area of significance and worthy of promotion for its conservation values.
