Leonard Louis Atkins

Leonard Louis Atkins arrived in the Chinchilla district with his parents in 1893. He became a highly respected businessman, and was known for his honesty, community involvement, and genuine concern for others.

Len Atkins started his own business L. L. Atkins & Co., which became the largest business in Chinchilla. His firm were auctioneers, stock and station agents, grocers, drapers, and general providers.

He also ran Royal Mail coaches, first with horses and later with motors.

His political career began when elected to serve on the Wambo local government authority, when Chinchilla was still a part of that organisation, and became the first Chairman of the newly formed Chinchilla Shire Council in 1912.

In addition to his business ventures, and his duties as Chairman, he ran burial services, and held the Coroner's and Petty Session Courts.

Having acquired grazing interests at Rocky Creek and Wieambilla, he disposed of the town business, and went "bush" to his properties, but in a few years was back again in town to build a modern hotel known as The Imperial, which he ran for about five years until it was destroyed by fire in 1916.

Whilst running the hotel, he became a large operator in store cattle, continued to run his grazing properties, and purchased the Brovinia Gold Mine with plant and assets.

In association with Robert Mackie, he opened a movie theatre, which was powered by the first electricity-generating plant in Chinchilla.