Maryborough

Geography

Maryborough is located on the Mary River in Queensland, Australia, approximately 255 kilometres (160 mi) north of the state capital, Brisbane. The city is served by the Bruce Highway. It is closely tied to its neighbour city Hervey Bay which is approximately 30 kilometres (20 mi) northeast. Together they form part of the area known as the Fraser Coast.

The neighbourhood of Baddow is within the west of the suburb near the Mary River. It takes its name from Baddow House, a historic property in the area (25.5269°S 152.6728°E / -25.5269; 152.6728 (Baddow)). Baddow railway station (25.5197°S 152.6769°E / -25.5197; 152.6769 (Baddow railway station)) and Baddow Island (25.5317°S 152.6747°E / -25.5317; 152.6747 (Baddow Island)) in the Mary River also take their names from the house.

History

Original inhabitants, language and culture

Evidence of human inhabitation of the Maryborough region stretches back to at least 6,000 years ago. The Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi Kabi) and Batjala (Butchulla) people are the original inhabitants of the region. The Gubbi Gubbi were described as an inland tribe of the Wide Bay–Burnett area, whose lands extend over 3,700 sq. miles and lie west of Maryborough. The northern borders run as far as Childers and Hervey Bay. On the south, they approach the headwaters of the Mary River and Cooroy. Westwards, they reach as far as the Coast Ranges and Kilkivan. The Batjala occupy the more coastal regions including K’gari (Fraser Island).

The Batjala and Gubbi Gubbi speak dialects of the Dippil language, the Batjala dialect being spoken in the Fraser Coast region, while the Gubbi Gubbi dialect is spoken in what is now the Gympie and Sunshine Coast regions.

The escaped convict James Davis lived among various clans of the Gubbi Gubbi.

The arrival of the British

British navigators Matthew Flinders in 1802 and William Edwardson in 1822 were the first Europeans to take detailed surveys of the Hervey Bay coastline. They both noted that the native population living on its shores appeared numerous. The first British people to live in the region were escaped convicts from the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement. Convicts Richard Parsons and John Graham both briefly lived with local Aboriginals during the late 1820s. James Davis, however, lived with several Gubbi Gubbi clans from 1829 to 1842. He became a member of their society and was given the name Duramboi. In 1842, Andrew Petrie and Henry Stuart Russell sailed up the river known to the Gubbi as the Monoboola (later known as the Mary River) looking for land and timber to exploit. They found Duramboi living with the Ginginbara clan of the Gubbi along its banks at a camp close to where the town of Maryborough is now situated.

Colonisation and conflict

After these initial explorations, pastoral squatters started to enter the region looking to establish sheep stations. The first of these was Mynarton Joliffe who, under the employment of the prosperous squatter John Eales, overlanded 16,000 sheep and set up the Tiaro property in 1843. Aboriginal resistance was fierce, shepherds and livestock were killed, and Joliffe had to abandon the area within eighteen months. During this time, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Stephen Simpson visited the area and determined that the junction of two waterways (later known as the Mary river and Tinana Creek) would be a suitable place for a township. Squatters started to return to the area in 1847 after John Charles Burnett conducted a more thorough survey of the region.

Maryborough itself was founded in 1847 by George Furber who established a small wool depot on the banks of the river. A year later Edgar Thomas Aldridge with Henry Palmer and his brother Richard E. Palmer constructed several permanent buildings and in 1849 a post office, petty sessions court and police station overseen by John Carne Bidwill opened. Edmund Blucher Uhr established a boiling down facility in 1850 and John George Walker started a boatyard not long after. The site for the township was laid out by the government surveyor H.H. Labatt in 1850 and the first land sales occurred in January 1852. The name Maryborough was derived from the Mary River which itself was named in 1847 after Mary Lennox, the wife of Charles Augustus Fitzroy who was the Governor of New South Wales at the time.

Aboriginal resistance remained determined with numerous Mary River squatters and their shepherds being wounded or killed. Within weeks of his arrival, George Furber was seriously wounded by local Aboriginal people, as were other newly arrived colonists such as Alexander Scott. Furber would later shoot dead the Aboriginal man who tried to kill him outside a store in Maryborough. The body of the man was then taken by the local Aboriginal tribe to a location about half a mile away, where it was cut up, roasted, and eaten.

In November 1850, after receiving intelligence of the murder of a shepherd and the loss of a flock of sheep, the Native Police started to enter the area. Lieutenant Richard Marshall with the assistance of Mary River settlers such as John Murray and Henry Cox Corfield, conducted expeditions to find the stolen sheep. In 1851, the Commandant of the Native Police, Frederick Walker, was called in to apprehend a number of Aboriginal men who had committed criminal acts on the mainland, and were hiding out on K'gari. Walker sailed with three sections of troopers down the Mary River. After landing at K'gari, the men who were guarding the boats saw a group of Aboriginal men in a stolen boat, which was then later captured. Another stolen boat was observed and shot at, with the Aboriginal crew escaping to a nearby island. While the men camped, the Aboriginals tried to ambush them, with two of them killed during the engagements. It was later discovered that the Aboriginals had partly eaten one of the bodies. Another section captured a number of people while another section followed other inhabitants across to the east coast where they escaped into the ocean. In 1856, a Native Police barracks was constructed on the outskirts of the town at Owanyilla. In early 1860, Lieutenant John O'Connell Bligh and his troopers conducted an early morning raid on a group of Aboriginal people, killing at least two and wounding many others, in the streets of Maryborough. The townspeople gave Bligh a sword thanking him for his actions.

Sugar

The early Maryborough economy was centred around livestock farming, logging of forests, and the boiling down of animal carcasses to make tallow. In the late 1850s the soil along the Mary River was deemed ideal for the cultivation of sugarcane and in 1859 Edgar Thomas Aldridge was able to grow and produce a world-class experimental crop. Seeing the profitable potential, many influential local landholders such as Henry Palmer and John Eaton formed the Maryborough Sugar Company in 1865. Farmers switched to growing cane and the first Mary River sugar refinery, known as the Central Mill, was built in 1867 by Robert Greathead and Frederick Gladwell.

At this time, other sugar plantations in Queensland were importing cheap, sometimes blackbirded labour from islands in the South Pacific. The planters along the Mary River also used this type of labour and the first shipment of 84 South Sea Islander workers arrived in Maryborough in November 1867. They came aboard the schooner Mary Smith, owned by Robert Greathead, with 22 of the labourers being engaged by the Maryborough Sugar Company. Concerns were raised about whether the Islanders on the Mary Smith understood the work contracts and if the pledge to return them would be honoured due to the lack of an interpreter. It was also alleged that the captain sold the Islanders to the colonists for £9 a head, while a missionary noted that the Islanders were unlikely to understand why they were taken.

In 1869, Robert Tooth and Robert Cran bought up a number of plantations in the region and established the Yengarie Sugar Refinery. They became the local dominant sugar manufacturer with the Maryborough Sugar Company becoming insolvent. By the end of the 1870s, Robert Cran and his sons had taken control of operations under the name Cran & Co.

Economic and civic expansion

An unnamed Catholic School had opened by February 1858. Teaching was undertaken by lay teachers as there were no Catholic religious orders in Maryborough at that time. It closed in 1888.

Maryborough was proclaimed a municipality in 1861, and became a city in 1905. During the second half of the 19th-century, the city was a major port of entry for immigrants arriving in Queensland from all parts of the world.

Maryborough Central State School opened in 1862. Circa 1874/75 it separated into Maryborough Central Boys School and Maryborough Central Girls' and Infants' School. In 1878 the Girls' and Infants' School separated into Maryborough Central Girls' School and Maryborough Central Infants' School. On 29 July 1932, Maryborough Central Boys School and Maryborough Central Girls School were closed and combined to become Maryborough Central State School. Maryborough Central Infants State School closed on 12 December 1986.

On Sunday 18 September 1864, a Wesleyan Methodist Church opened on a 0.5-acre (0.20 ha) site on the eastern corner of Adelaide Street and Alice Street (25.5409°S 152.7000°E / -25.5409; 152.7000 (Wesleyan Church (built 1864))). It was a timber building in the Gothic style, capable of seating 200 people on open benches. The architect was Reverend Thomas Holme and the builders were Messrs Hart and Marshall. Prior to the opening of the church, Wesleyan services were initially held in a store in Adelaide Street and then in the Maryborough School of Arts. By August 1882, the church building had become too small and started to show signs of decay, so the southern corner of Adelaide and Alice Street (that is, on the same side of Adelaide Street) was purchased to construct the new church (25.5412°S 152.6997°E / -25.5412; 152.6997 (Wesleyan Methodist Church (built 1883))). In February 1883, the site of the 1864 church was offered for sale, as the 1864 church was to be relocated to the rear of the new church to be used as a Sunday school hall. The foundation stone for the new church was laid on Tuesday 27 February 1883, and the British ensign was waved from the finial of the new church's spire on Friday 22 June 1883 to signify the completion of the highest point of the building. On Sunday 16 December 1883, the new brick church was officially opened and consecrated, as part of a program of church services, public lectures, tea-meetings, and concerts to celebrate the occasion. The church participated in the 1977 amalgamation that created Uniting Church in Australia. It was demolished some time after 1982.

Demographics

In the 2016 census, the suburb of Maryborough had a population of 15,406 people.

In the 2021 census, the suburb of Maryborough had a population of 15,287 people, and the urban area had a population of 27,489 people.

Heritage listings

Maryborough has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

St Paul's Anglican Church and Hall, 178–202 Adelaide Street

St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 271–275 Adelaide Street

Albert State School, 210–220 Albert Street

Post Office Hotel, Bazaar Street

Maryborough Post Office, 227 Bazaar Street

Lamington Bridge, Gympie Road to Ferry Street, across Mary River

Maryborough Boys Grammar School Building, Kent Street

Maryborough Central State School, Kent Street

Royal Hotel, Kent Street

former Royal Bank of Queensland, 297 Kent Street

Hotel Francis, 310 Kent Street

former Queensland National Bank, 327 Kent Street

Australian Joint Stock Bank, 331 Kent Street

Maryborough City Hall, 388 Kent Street

Maryborough School of Arts, 427 Kent Street

Maryborough Baby Clinic, 445 Kent Street (25.5371°S 152.7019°E / -25.5371; 152.7019 (Maryborough Baby Clinic))

Maryborough railway station, Lennox Street

Economy and industry

Tourism plays a significant part in the economy of the city today. Maryborough is the self-styled Heritage City of Queensland and holds heritage markets each Thursday. The city has many preserved 19th and 20th century buildings including the General Post Office and Customs House.

The main industrial company in the city today is Downer Rail, formerly Walkers Limited, a heavy engineering business which has built much of the rolling stock and locomotives for Queensland Rail and in past years was involved in shipbuilding. Downer Rail, together with Bombardier Transportation, built and tested Transperth's relatively modern B-Series trains in Maryborough, which were launched in Perth in late 2004. It has built many trains for Queensland Rail. Bombardier Transportation closed its factory in Maryborough in December 2015.

Maryborough Sugar Factory, in Kent Street was established in 1956. There were many smaller sugar mills which were established by sugar cane farmers along the Mary River. Island Plantation had one of the first sugar crushing mill set up along the river. One of the old settlements in Maryborough is at a place called Dundathu. Here the first timber mill was established in the 1800s. The timber was bought down the river and carted to the Timber Mill by horse and cart. The timber mill burnt down in the 1900s.

Maryborough's income also comes from numerous farming and station prospects in and around the city and has a healthy fishing industry. The city also has had traditional ties to the timber industry and is home to Hyne & Son one of the largest producers of natural timber products in Australia.

Maryborough was once a prominent centre of railway and tramway operations, including a branch to the wharf on the Mary River.

Transport

Maryborough West station is on the North Coast line. It is served by long-distance Traveltrain services: the Spirit of Queensland, Spirit of the Outback and the Bundaberg and Rockhamption Tilt Trains.

This station, on the western outskirts of the city, was built in the late 1980s as part of a seven kilometre new alignment built when the North Coast line was electrified. It replaced Maryborough station in the central business district, although the eight kilometre branch remains in use to service the 66 Rail workshops.

Maryborough is served by Greyhound Australia coach services to Brisbane, Hervey Bay, Agnes Water and Cairns, Premier Motor Services services to Brisbane and Cairns and Tory's Tours services to Brisbane and Hervey Bay.

Local bus services are provided by Wide Bay Transit as part of the Translink network.

The Maryborough Airport no longer has commercial flights, with the nearest commercial airport at Hervey Bay, approximately 30 kilometres away at Hervey Bay, which has direct flights to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

Education

Maryborough Central State School is a government primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at 471 Kent Street (25.5354°S 152.6994°E / -25.5354; 152.6994 (Maryborough Central State School)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 302 students with 26 teachers (24 full-time equivalent) and 26 non-teaching staff (14 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.

Maryborough West State School is a government primary (Early Childhood to Year 6) school for boys and girls at 149 North Street (25.5237°S 152.6945°E / -25.5237; 152.6945 (Maryborough West State School)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 365 students with 30 teachers (28 full-time equivalent) and 21 non-teaching staff (13 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.

Albert State School is a government primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at 210–220 Albert Street (25.5467°S 152.7038°E / -25.5467; 152.7038 (Albert State School)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 128 students with 8 teachers and 11 non-teaching staff (6 full-time equivalent).

Sunbury State School is a government primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at 545 Alice Street (25.5251°S 152.6778°E / -25.5251; 152.6778 (Sunbury State School)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 211 students with 16 teachers (14 full-time equivalent) and 15 non-teaching staff (10 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.

St Mary's Primary School is a Catholic primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at 167 John Street (25.5339°S 152.7022°E / -25.5339; 152.7022 (St Mary's Primary School)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 312 students with 22 teachers (20 full-time equivalent) and 21 non-teaching staff (11 full-time equivalent).

Maryborough State High School is a government secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls at 526 Kent Street (25.5344°S 152.6975°E / -25.5344; 152.6975 (Maryborough State High School)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 778 students with 72 teachers (69 full-time equivalent) and 46 non-teaching staff (35 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.

Amenities

The Brolga Theatre on the banks of the Mary River at Maryborough is the Fraser Coast's premier entertainment venue. The main auditorium has 900 seats.

The Fraser Coast Regional Council operates a public library, the John Anderson Library, at 127-129 Bazaar Street.

ANZAC Park features a number of amenities, including Splashside (a water play park), skatepark and pump track.

The Wide Bay Hospitals Museum is located at the Maryborough Hospital.

The Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum is located in part of the heritage listed Gataker's Warehouse Complex on Wharf Street.

The Maryborough City Whistle Stop Museum focuses on the railway history of Maryborough and is housed in the heritage listed former Maryborough railway station, Queensland.

LifeChurch Maryborough is at 68 Gayndah Road, Maryborough West (25.5168°S 152.6640°E / -25.5168; 152.6640 (LifeChurch Maryborough)). It is part of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Australia.

Sport

Maryborough will host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Archery events.

Rugby league is popular in Maryborough. The premier club is the Maryborough Wallaroos, which competes in the Queensland Rugby League Central Division Bundaberg Rugby League competition. The team won the Bundaberg competition in 2009 and won the Fraser Coast Rugby League competition in 2010 and 2011 after moving into that competition. The Wallaroos claim to be the oldest club playing rugby league in Australia, being founded in 1893 when a rugby union club.

Soccer is also popular; there are 5 clubs located in Maryborough and affiliated with Football Maryborough - Doon Villa, Granville, Maryboough West, Sunbury and Tinana. These clubs offer soccer for all ages and abilities - juniors and seniors, girls and boys, women and men. In 2021 Doon Villa celebrated 50 years since its establishment in 1971 and in 2022 their long-time rivals Sunbury will celebrate 50 years since their establishment in 1972. Federation Park in Banana Street, Granville is Football Maryborough's home soccer complex comprising 11 active fields.

The Maryborough Bears Australian rules football club is based out of Federation Park and have competed in the AFL Wide Bay competition since 1998.

Maryborough Cricket Club is in Maryborough & District Cricket Association.

Maryborough Speedway, off Gympie Road in Tinana, races sedans and includes a motorcycle speedway track within the site (25°33′48″S 152°40′02″E). The track hosted the Queensland Solo Championship during the 2017/2018 season.

Point Lookout Croquet Club is at 23 North Street (25.5317°S 152.7051°E / -25.5317; 152.7051 (Point Lookout Croquet Club)).

The city was the location for the 2013 and 2025 Australian Scout Jamborees.

Media

Local commercial FM radio stations are Breeze 102.5, Triple M 103.5, Hit 101.9 and Rebel 106.7.

The Maryborough Sun is published fortnightly.

Along with a number of other regional Australian newspapers owned by NewsCorp, the Maryborough Herald newspaper ceased publication in June 2020.

Ecology

Maryborough's environment supports rare and endangered terrestrial and aquatic fauna including the Mary River Turtle and Mary River Cod.

Climate

Maryborough has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) with long, wet, humid summers and short, relatively dry, mild winters, albeit with cool nights. It features 107.2 clear days annually, with August being the sunniest month (with 15.3 clear days) and February being the cloudiest (with only 2.9 clear days).

Notable people

Barbara J. Bain, an eminent haematologist at the Imperial College, and St Mary's Hospital, London, was born in Maryborough.

Maurice Blair, rugby league player, was born in Maryborough.

Tom Burns, former Deputy Premier of Queensland, was born in Maryborough

Arthur Cusack, Olympic swimming coach

Robert Cusack, Olympic swimming medallist was born in Maryborough and coached by Maryborough's Arthur Cusack

Jamie Charman, Brisbane Lions premiership ruckman, was born in Maryborough.

Paul de Jersey, former Governor of Queensland, former Chief Justice of Queensland grew up in Maryborough, where his father was the headmaster of Albert State School.

Quentin Dempster, journalist, was born in Maryborough and began his career at the Maryborough Chronicle.

Brendan Hansen represented Maryborough on the Maryborough City Council, Queensland State Parliament, and Federal Parliament.

Mary Hansen of Stereolab was born in Maryborough (daughter of Brendan Hansen)

Wilfred Hastings (Arch) Harrington (1906–1965), naval officer, was born in Maryborough.

William Jonas, Better known as Mully, YouTuber and member of YouTube group The Boys.

Grant Kenny, ironman, was born in Maryborough in 1963.

Sister city

Maryborough has one sister city, according to the Australian Sister Cities Association.

Tauranga, New Zealand