Maryborough – A Pleasant Surprise

Let’s talk a little about Maryborough – after all we travelled 20 nautical miles pushing a 2 knt tide up a muddy, winding, mudflats infested, big logs floating by river to get here. We arrived after a surprisingly picturesque voyage passing poaching fishermen with staked out nets and redneck “what are you lookin’ at” glares, sugarcane crops and farms to be finally greeted by Des – self appointed harbour master who was glad to take our lines. Apparently we are the first southerners to arrive this season heading north for winter. Consequently the chandlery opened its doors and the cafe turned on the espresso machine – but no pipe band!!!!!
Famous for many things, not in the least the birth place of P.L. Travers, the author of the Mary Poppins books and the place of Australia's only outbreak of pneumonic plague in 1905, Maryborough was the place where over 22,000 immigrants took their first step on Australian soil arriving from all parts of the world. It is a place of massive history in agriculture, railway engineering and boat building. A large number of Naval boats were launched here the size and number of which amazed us as we looked at photos in the museum. For what is in reality an inland country town to in-fact be the birth place of so many fine ocean going vessels is indeed out of place. I note, Maryborough was touted as being a real option for the capital of this fine state. There is no nightlife in the city and the pace is pretty slow only coming to life every ‘Market Thursday’ when all forms of life as we know it (and not) come out to play. Sounds very much like Brisbane really!!!
Maryborough is steeped in history with one photo taking our interest in one of the old pubs. (We have taken a photo of the photo if that makes sense!) The caption read “Patriotic Procession 1918” and it struck a real chord in us as to how early on in our great country’s history people actively acknowledge the importance of nation and being towards the end of WW1 patriotism was heading to great heights. I do think we have witnessed a revival over the past decade in regards passion for county which is evident on Australia Day but let’s keep that on the down-low because Alana thinks everyone is just celebrating her birthday on Jan 26!
We met a lovely old couple whom have lived in the area all their lives. Following the war the husband’s father was forced to sell their dairy farm and move the family to town. It broke the poor bloke’s heart so in 1956 he bought 15 acres near town and started growing sugarcane all by hand. He expanded over time to 135 acres and still grows cane and some potatoes (“not like those big bastards you grow in Tassie” he remarked). If the lines across his face were words it would be a best seller we are sure. They go to the pub every Monday night for the mixed grill special without failure.
“Maryborough – a beautiful place that doesn’t seem to be going far but has come a long way”