At the south-western corner of Taree Park stand memorial gates dedicated to the memory of A A Maloney. But who was A A Maloney?
Born in Albury in 1888, Alban Albury Maloney was a highly skilled dentist. He settled in Taree circa 1912, acquiring the dental practice formerly conducted by Mr H A Tuck.1
Following war time service in the Australian Army Medical Corps, Maloney married Ella Caspers in Sydney in May 1921.2 Returning to Taree, he and his wife made their home in Florence Street, opposite Taree Park.3
Possessed of a fine singing voice, a youthful Ella had travelled to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music. While there, she unwittingly became romantically involved with a conman and bigamist. His unmasking led to her involvement in a high profile trial which captivated London in 1911.4
Maloney was a successful local businessman with varied interests; Alban Street in Taree is named after him. He championed urban improvement, was an active member of the Catholic Church and supporter of Taree Golf Club.5
He died of a heart attack on 24 March 1936 aged forty seven and is buried in the Dawson River Cemetery.6
Author: Penny Teerman
References:
1 The Border Mail and Riverina Times, July 5,1912, 3
2 Adelong and Tumut Express and Tumbarumba Post, May 13, 1921, 2
3 Taree Municipal Council Rates and Valuation Books
4 www.oldbaileyonline.org Ref. T19110228-15
5 Manning River Times, March 28, 1936, 6
6 Ibid.
