Annie Elizabeth Beer, Woman Pioneer of Goomeri

Unravelling history is taking a journey back in time.

We would like to thank Heather McIvor who offered her research knowledge of the McIvor family and her knowledge of Goomeri and Annie Beer. 

Below is a brief history of Miss Ann Elizabeth Beer a single woman who set upon a dream of building and owning her own business right here in Goomeri. Ann E Beer was a single woman who stepped out into a man's world not only to build a shop and residence from scratch but to build a reputation as a businesswoman. One can only imagine what life was like back then.

A young Miss Annie E. Beer from her Album June 7th 1885

Image credit Bill Silburn of Lowland Goomeri

Annie Beer’s Shop image. The little girl in the photo is Doris Beer, later Roberts, who was a niece to Miss Beer. Miss Beer had previously owned a Fruit & Lolly Shop in Kilkivan prior to going to Goomeri. 

Original image credit Lois Silburn

Image credit Kilkivan Historical Society

Annie Beer’s Shop -  Black’s Cafe

Miss Ann Beer bought Lot 4 Section IV at the Great Goomeri Land Sale of 1911. A shop and residence were built, where fruit, refreshments and newspapers were sold. In 1916, Isabella Silburn (Towner) inherited the shop on the death of her aunt. Black Brothers bought the shop in 1926 and operated it as the Busy Bee Cafe for many years, although the first shop was burnt down and had to be rebuilt. This was a popular meeting place before and after pictures showings in the Hall of Memory. The business also included a fruit and confectionery shop and a news agency. Ben and Elsie Shipplock leased the cafe from Jim Black from 1960 - 1964. It was then sold to Pat and Tony Shaw who continued the Cafe for some years before the business became solely a news agency.

Story credit, Goomeri Heritage Trail a Neverending Stories Project.

Annie E. Beer’s receipt of purchase of Lot 4 Section IV Goomeri.

Image Credit Heather McIvor

Annie E. Beer’s receipt of purchase of Lot 4 Section IV Goomeri.

Image credit Kilkivan Historical Society

Annie Elizabeth Beer
Born Ballarat Victoria, October 1859
Died October 1916 aged 57
The Beer family arrived in Kilkivan around 1873.

Image credit Kilkivan Historical Society