17. TAYLOR, David Charles ( 1874- 1948 )

David Taylor was a Boot and Shoemaker in Bunbury, who was keen to develop entrepreneurial interests  in Local Tourism.

Taylor, with the assistance of his brother, designed and built a 8 horsepower motor launch in 1906-1907. He utilized the launch to conduct Sunday cruises from Bunbury to the Collie River. The cruises proved so popular that Taylor accumulated surplus funds to purchase the Ocean Beach Hotel in Wittenoom Street, Bunbury. He dismantled the Hotel building and re-erected it on Collie River frontage, and known as the Collie Bridge Tearooms.

Taylor cleared the bush  at the new site to establish a camping and holiday area , and settled in a home nearby. He prospered from the regular custom at these ventures and became an inaugural promoter of bus trips to the Yallingup Caves.

David Taylor died on 2 December 1948 at the age of 74 years.