George Woolnough was a saddler in Tenterfield, New South Wales

Tenterfield, New South Wales

Tenterfield is a town in New South Wales, Australia. It is located in the New England region at the intersection of the New England and Bruxner Highways. Tenterfield is a three-hour drive from Brisbane, 2.5 hours from Byron Bay, two hours from Armidale, New South Wales and 10 hours from Sydney....

 from 1908 until his retirement in 1960.

Woolnough's grandson was Peter Allen

Peter Allen

Peter Allen was an Australian songwriter and entertainer. His songs were made popular by many recording artists, including Elkie Brooks, Melissa Manchester and Olivia Newton-John, with one, Arthur's Theme, winning an Academy Award in 1981...

, a flamboyant cabaret singer who immortalised Woolnough with the song Tenterfield Saddler. Woolnough's son Dick Woolnough become a violent alcoholic upon returning from World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, eventually shooting and killing himself. Woolnough never understood, nor got over this devastating event.

Built in 1860 of quarried blue granite, the Tenterfield Saddlery in which George Woolnough worked is National Trust

National Trust of Australia

The Australian Council of National Trusts is the peak body for community-based, non-government organisations committed to promoting and conserving Australia's indigenous, natural and historic heritage....

listed.

On November 26, 2005 an extension of the Tenterfield library was opened and named the "George Woolnough Wing".

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