Story Added:June 2008

Kevin Hanson (1935-41)
Born: 29.01.25 Died: 31.12.07

Born on January 29th 1925 at the Club Hotel Yeppoon. Kevin was the second son of Martin and Margaret Hanson. In 1929 they bought the Grand Hotel in Gladstone where they lived. They also built the Commercial Hotel in Biloela.

His mother died when he was  six. His father sent him to Nudgee College in 1935 and he only went home to Gladstone during the long school holidays. He excelled at school work developed a love for the poetry of Henry Lawson, debating and sport. On one of the short school breaks the boys had received money from their Uncle Morgan Hanson and proceeded to have a most enjoyable stay at a Brisbane Hotel. But had to pay the consequences when their father found out. Kevin completed his senior year in 1941 with ambitions of studying law.

Because of World War II the faculty of law was closed and so he studied Medicine for a year which was not to his liking. He returned to work in the Hotel in Gladstone and in 1944 joined the Royal Australian Air' Force and did his training at Point Cook.

He was stationed in Townsville. He had been asked to make himself known to the Canning girls in Townsville .He met Dossie Canning who immediately invited him to the local Saturday races and his fate was sealed. He courted Dossie by sneaking into town from the Base and had an arrangement with the local rubbish truck to be taken back to the base. His position in the Air Force was a Leading Air Craftsman. Because he was colour blind, he could not be a pilot so he was a radio operator specializing in Morse Code. In 1945 he was the editor of the "Dugout Digest" which circulated around his unit. He was discharged in 1946.

He and Dossie were engaged and married in Townsville on 26th January 1948. They lived in the hotel for the first couple of years of their marriage, then moved to a house in Gladstone. 1952 saw them move to Biloela to manage the Commercial Hotel for his father. There was no electricity, running water or septic toilets. When his father passed away in 1953, he and his brother came to an agreement that he would continue at Biloela. Their wish for a family was granted in 1955 when Anne Therese was welcomed into the family. Kevin William completed the close loving family unit in 1957.

In 1958 Kevin was elected as a Councillor to the Banana Shire Council. He was passionate about the progress of Biloela and was very proud that he had been instrumental in introducing Fluoride into the water supply. He also served on the Gladstone Harbour Board and with his brother Kevin started the Rugby League Club in Bi1oela in 1965 and served as president. Carlton United Brewery made an offer too good to refuse to purchase the hotel in 1965 and so the family relocated to Redcliffe. Semi-retirement did not suit Kevin so a TAB agency was established by him at Margate.

Dossie sadly passed away in 2002 and it was only through the love and affection of his family and friends that helped him to live life without his soul mate. Anne would like to sincerely thank members of her family and very dear friends who took Kevin under their wing and gave him many happy experiences in the last 5 and half years.

Kevin has left a legacy of deep love for family, and strong commitments to friendships by showing loyalty and concern for others. He excelled in the spirit of giving and certainly loved a hug or two from the girls.