Hinchinbrook factfile

Abergowrie was named by the early Atkinson family (Kemp's Diary page 39) and is a Gaelic (Scottish) word meaning "the meeting of two streams". Aber (Gaelic) also Obar, Abar - the confluence of two streams. Gowrie Creek named by Dalrymple in 1863 after an ancient district in Perthshire. Gowrie creek runs into the Herbert River.

Abergowrie College (previously known as St. Teresa's College) was named after a young French nun, who after her death at the end of the last century (1800's) was named patroness of the Australian Catholic church. St. Teresa was known as the 'little flower'.

Allamanda is the Hinchinbrook floral emblem (Botanical name: Allamanda Catharitica, variety Hendersonii). A native of the northern part of South America and introduced to Australia in the 19th century. It is an evergreen climber with large yellow trumpet-like flowers.

Allendale - a 1214 hectare (3000 acre) grazing property, located on Francis Creek about 5 kilometres (3 miles) north of Jacobsons, eith a common boundary with Baconsfield. Taken up by Sam Allen (c1920) and originally called Plum Tree but renamed by Mrs Allen after her husband 'Allen' and 'Dale' after the English dales. Sam Allen is supposed to have sold the station and purchased the Day Dawn Hotel in Ingham. The homestead at Allendale was completely destroyed by fire in 1913 when occupied by Mr C Cruikshank.

Allingham, John and Johnstone - see 'Waterview Station'. Forrest Beach which was named after George Brownrigg Forrest, Manager of Victoria Mill (1896 - 1913) has in recent years become known as the 'Town of Allingham' in honour of one of the early families of the area.

Antigua Estate at Stone River was owned by Hartwell and Sons in 1905. It was previously owned by R. G. Johnson, who grew grain, vegetables and experimented with sugarcane.

Ashton - named by Henry Stone. Probably named after his property 'Ashstone Station' at the Grange, Upper Stone.

Atkinson's Track - provided alternate access to Mt. Fox. The track was located near the present road, but was rarely used, owing to its steepness.

Atkinson

Bambaroo - Aboriginal name from the Nyawaygi tribe 'Bamburu'.

Bambaroo Track - connected Benham's Track near Shay's Guesthouse with Bambaroo

Barrilgie - Aboriginal for 'Plenty of Possums'

Bemerside - a railway station and township on the Sunshine Route, 1 458 kilometres (906 miles) north of Brisbane. Taken up in 1868 by the Haigh family, relatives of Earl Haig whose seat was at Bemerside, on the England-Scotland border.

Benham's Track - connected Hidden Valley with the coast at Moodgobulla. It passed near Mt. Spec and on to Cloudy Clearing (Paluma) and followed the Bambaroo Track. Benham Creek/Mount Benham was named after Arthur Benham a prospector nicknamed 'Possum'.

Big Anthill Creek - flows into the Burdekin and named by Leichhardt because of the large mounds of 'white ants' that were features of the landscape.

Blackrock was given its name by Mr Hecht, but Mr John Hull of Cressbrook was the first catteleman in the area.

Black's Township - in 1880/1881 six men selected small blocks of land in the area between the Washaway and Gentle Annie Creek. They were August Anderssen, John Alm, Harald Hoffensetz, Q. W. S. Carr, N. C. Rosendahl and Francis Herron. They formed the Herver River Farmers' Association and made a formal approach to CSR to sell their cane in total over the combined 81 hectares (200 acres). In 1884, CSR offered a 7 year contract to the group.

Blencoe - named after an early pastoralist, R. A. Blencoe who had settled in the area.

Bluewater Creek - so named for the colour of the water.

Boyd's Creek, Hinchinbrook: At Ripple Creek Plantation, R. M. Boyd was joined after a few years by his brother - J. A. Boyd, a colourful personality cast in the 'William Ingham' pattern. During his stay at Ripple Creek, he formed a whaleboat crew of Kanakas to row him to and from Hinchinbrook. His favourite spot was Boyd's Creek, which was named after him.

Braemeadows - named by Haigh of Bemerside. The original selection began life as 'Bray Meadows' according to old CSR documents and was first mentioned in a letter from the property's owner, Mr Farrand Haig (more popularly known as 'Fern' Haig).

Broadwater - an area south of Yamanie Creek sandwiched between the Herbert Gorge and the Cardwell Range. Information from a man who had crossed the range almost directly west of Cardwell told of 'a big river'. Later, Arthur William Blackman with his son 'Boy' and David M. Frances set off from Cardwell in hope of striking the fabled 'big river', which they called Broadwater because their map showed a small creek of that name.

Broadwater Creek - tumbles down out of the Rockingham Bay Range over a spectacular waterfall (Broadwater Falls) before it joins the Herbert River northwest of Ingham. It passes through Broadwater State Forest Park, a popular camping and day trip destination for swimming and bushwalking.

Bullocky Tom's Track which was blazed by Bullocky Tom (Thomas Andrews) connected Mt. Spec with the coast, following the southern slopes of Mt. Leach. The track went from near Crystal Creek to Shay's Guesthouse at Mt. Spec. At the time, on the northern bank of Big Saltwater Creek (now Crystal Creek) was a shack named 'Bullocky Tom', which was a well-known landmark. Bullocky Tom was buried at Crystal Creek.

Burdekin River - discovered and named by Ludwig Leichhardt in 1845 after Mrs Burdekin of Sydney. Mrs Burdekin was a wealthy young widow who is believed to have provided some financial encouragement to the explorer.

Cane Toads (Bufo marinus) were introduced in 1935 from Hawaii at Gordonvale in North Queensland, in the hope it would eat the cane beetles which were damaging sugar cane crops. Cane toads are large enough to swallow whole native animals such as insects, amphibians, reptiles and small mammals. The toads secrete a poison from a large gland behind each eye which is strong enough to kill dogs and other animals.

Camel Creek takes its name from one of McKinley's camels found there. Camel Creek Station is a property situated west of Mt. Fox.

Canegrowers' Building was officially opened in 1934. The new Canegrowers' Building was opened on 5th March 1970.

Cape Richards on Hinchinbrook Island was named after Capt. Richards of H. S. Hecate.

Cardwell: Captain Cook was perhaps the first to record this area of coast which he called Rockingham Bay on 8th June, 1770. It was named after the Second Marquis of Rockingham, Charles Watson Wentworth (1730-1782). Ludwig Leichhardt was camped in the area behind Rockingham Bay during May 1845. On Saturday 15th August 1863, the Survey Ship 'Hecate' under the command of Capt. G. H. Richards entered Rockingham Bay. As a result of the survey, Capt. Richards presented a plan to Governor Bowen which was called 'Port Hinchinbrook, Rockingham Bay'. It was on April 8th 1864 that Roger Beckwith Leafe was appointed Harbour Master and Acting Police Magistrate. The town of Cardwell, with an area of 2.6 km² (1 sq. mile) was proclaimed on 8th July 1864. Governor Bowen proposed the name of Cardwell to honour the Right Honourable Edward Cardwell M. P., who became the Secretary for the Colonies in 1865. Men with names such as the Scott Brothers and George Elphinstone Dalrymple of the Valley of Lagoons, Alexander Inkster (S\skipper), Alfred Hulbert and G. H. Smith (teamsters), Wilhelm Peters and son George Cardwell Peters, and John Dallacy (who brought mango seeds from Ceylon) are associated with the beginnings of the town of Cardwell. The first building to be erected was the Royal Hotel in 1864 which was damaged by fire early this century - the Marine Hotel is now on the site.

Cardwell - Boatbuilding. William Watkins Senior (also known as Fred 'Mickey' Watkins), well-known for his seamanship and knowledge of boats, built the first large boat in the area now occupied by the National Parks building near the jetty. A memorial plaque honouring Mr Watkins (who died in 2001) exists on a concrete monument adjacent to the wharf. Mr Page was another boat builder who built boats at Scraggy Point.

Cathedral Falls is situated int he upper section of the Broadwater State Forest Park near Abergowrie.

Catterina Creek - see Cordelia.

Cattle Creek is a translation (by Sydney May) of the Aboriginal name 'Yee-Dee Yee-Dee'. A dairy was established there in 1886 by Adam Gordon.

Churches

St. Patricks (old) transferred to Bemerside in 1922.
St. Patricks (new) opened and blessed 1922 by Apostolic Delegate, Dr. Cattaneo.
Victoria Estate - building donated by Mr and Mrs T. Gard - St. Francis Church - 1950.
Hawkins Creek - an old butcher shop which was opened and blessed as a church by Rev. Dr. Maguire in 1930.
New Church of the Holy Family - blessed by Dr. Ryan in 1952.
Abergowrie - Separate parish in 1953 following sugar expansion - Fr. Vandeleur.
Long Pocket - Church of St Paul - blessed and opened in 1956 by Bishop Ryan; closed and sold as a residence in 1990.
Capuchin - Fr. Sylvio Spighi came to Halifax in 1947 and took up residence in an unlined corrugated iron cottage.
St. Anthonys - Bemerside - a wooden church which was demolished in 1981.

Conn's Crossing - the first store was opened by Eugene Regazzoli in company with Mr Redman. When the partnership dissolved, Mr Redman retained the store at the crossing and Mr Regazzoli obtained land from Mr Anderssen, on which he built and started the first store in future Halifax - later run by Mr A. A. Shaw.

Coolbie - Aboriginal for 'Green Leaves'.

Copnell's Hotel - first hotel in Halifax established by Mr Copnell on Mr Anderssen's selection on the site of the present Halifax Hotel.

Cordelia - A member of the famous McDowell pastoral family arrived in 1868 with a party, seeking a pastoral run on the Herbert River and camped near the site of the present township of Cordelia. With the party was an Italian woman, surname unknown Christian names, Caterina Cordelia. In addition to the township, there is a Caterina Creek and a Mt. Caterina Cordelia, now just Mt. Cordelia. The parish is also named Cordelia. So far now reason is available for the perpetuation of her name. In 1868, an man named O'Connell acquired land on the river bank opposite Mr. Cordelia and is credited as planting the first sugar cane.

Cordelia Vale - the Waller brothers (c1873) took up land around the base of Mt. Cordelia. They named it 'Cordelia Vale' and established a butchery and grazing venture. One of the old McKenzie family houses at Gairloch was purchased and re-erected as the Cordelia Vale residence. It seems Cordelia Vale was subdivided and sold in 1889 to CSR.

Crystal Creek - formerly named Saltwater Creek or Big Saltwater Creek. Crystal Creek Farm was first owned by Thomas Andrews, better known as 'Bullocky Tom'.

C. W. A. Hall of Ingham used to be behind the Shire Hall with Mr and Mrs Jock Lindsay being caretakers for some time. It was sold for removal and bought by Carta, Trebonne, but was later shifted again and the C. W. A. of Ingham disbanded.

Dalrymple Gap was named in 1864 after George Elphinstone Dalrymple who discovered it.

Dalrymple Track from Cardwell to the Valley of Lagoons over the Seaview Range was originally a bullock track. The track was constructed under the supervision of George Elphinstone Dalrymple during the 1860's and by 1869 was being used by wheeled traffic. Teamsters used the track to take supplies from Cardwell to the Valley of Lagoons and the other inland stations. It was also used as a stock route with cattle fattened on the Mount Fox tablelands being taken down to the coast. With the advent of the Mount Spec and Mount Fox range roads, the track generally passed back into the bush, but the old wagon trails are still discernible in many places along with a blazed tree. A bridge found near the gap at the top of the Cardwell Range was classified by the National Trust. It was constructed from local granite river stones, packed with cement mortar. It is possible to to walk to the bridge from Cardwell which takes about 3 hours, or to continue down into the Herbert Valley with the track finishing near Broadwater State Forest Park.

Day Dawn Hotel - reconstructed by J. T. Abbott in 1886 from the Telegraph Hotel (which was originally built in 1885) as a two-storied building and was named by Abbott after a hotel called the 'Day Dawn' he had owned in Townsville. The Day Dawn was eminently successful in catering for the public and recognized as the premier establishment of its kind in Ingham. On 1st January 1944 a poem called 'The Pub Without Beer' appeared in the North Queensland Register. This poem had been written by Dan Sheahan on the occasion of the Day Dawn Hotel running out of beer when visiting American servicemen had drunk up the 'quota'. This poem was later made into a song by Gordon Parsons and sung by Slim Dusty, and has become famous the world over. During the Bicentenary, the National Committee gave the Hinchinbrook Shire Council a grant to have a book written about Dan Sheahan and a plaque put on the wall of the Lees Hotel which now stands on the site of the old Day Dawn Hotel.

De Luxe Theatre - burnt down on 25th September 1972.

Doctors - Ingham's first medical practitioner was Dr. W. McDonald of 'Blytheswood' in 1905.

Dungeness (or Jeaka Island) - point of entry and clearance for Hinchinbrook Channel, the town of Ingham and various mills and plantations, including Macknade. Originally known as Seaforth, presumably because several of the earliest settlers were from Scotland. The port name was later changed to Dungeness perhaps because the headland is very similar in shape to that of Dungeness in southern England.

Fadden, Sir Arthur - Sir Arthur Fadden Drive in Ingham was named after the famous politician, affectionately known as 'Artie Fadden'. He was Australia's Prime Minister from 29th August 1941 to 7th October 1941.

Sir Arthur was born in Ingham in 1895, the eldest of a family of 10. His first job at the age of 15 was as billy boy to a gang of cane cutters. A cane inspector found him a job in the sugar mill office. During 1913 he took a position as Assistant Town Clerk at Mackay and by the age of 21, he had qualified in accountancy and was promoted to Town Clerk. He later moved to Townsville where he began a private accountancy practice.

Sir Arthur became a Townsville City Alderman, then a Country Party Member in State Parliament. He lost his seat in 1935. The following year he won the seat of Darling Downs in Federal Parliament. He continued in Parliament, being an outspoken member and in March 1940 was chosen by Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies to become Minister for Air and Civil Aviation.

Sir Arthur was elected Leader of the Country Party in 1941. He was Deputy Prime Minister when the coalition infighting forced Menzies to resign. Sir Arthur continued as Leader of the Country Party and soon after, the Menzies/Fadden coalition became known as the Liberal-Country Party. He served as Treasurer from 1949 to 1958. Sir Arthur retired from the political scene in December 1958 and died in 1973.

Fanning's Track operated from Ingham, through Stone River to the Mt Fox tin mines. It was built in the 1880's by Mr W. Fanning, a retired farmer from Haigh Street in Ingham. He was born in 1860 in Maryborough and married Elizabeth, nee Bonning at Cardwell in 1881. He died in Ingham on 7th March 1937. The track ran for 23 kilometres (14 miles) from Jacobson's to Stone River to Mt Fox tin mines, and for most of the way was a good track for cattle or tin packed on mules. For a short distance it was very steep. Fanning for years packed supplies for miners who worked in the area. The original tin mines were located in Krugers or Red Hill area, and it was a centre fo mining activity. A local store was run by a Mr Lenard. A track ran from Kruger's Hill to Hidden Valley area and was often used by Fanning for supplies to Hidden Valley. This track was a mailman's track until 1940.

First European Births

Murphy - the first birth of a European child officially recorded in the Valley was a daughter to an Irish couple, Patrick and Mary Murphy on 19th April 1866 at Vale of Herbert Station.
Hampton - the second European child was born January 1870 - a daughter, Emma, to the station storekeeper Thomas Hampton and his wife Elizabeth (English migrants).
Mercer - a son to John and Rebecca Mercer on 25th August 1870 named John.
Toohey - a son to an Irish couple, James and Kate Toohey at the Vale of Herbert. Toohey was employed as a labourer.
Berrezenskey - a son to a Polish/German couple, Emmanuel and Justina Berrezenskey in September 1872 at Macknade Plantation. This child died after a few years, but the couple had other children.
Hoffensetz - a son (Julius) to a Danish couple, Harald and wife. Born on Christmas Day. This name is derived from Juul - Danish for Christmas.

First Buildings

1875 - Telegraph Hotel - built by Mr Jack Wickas of Cardwell. Later converted to a large 2-storey building and the name changed to 'Day Dawn Hotel'.
1876 - Small Post Office - a telegraph line was built between Waterview (now known as Bambaroo) and the newly erected Post Office, so that by the beginning of 1877, the district had both a post and telegraph office.
1886 - Courthouse and Police buildings erected on the present sites.

First House - the first permanent house was that of Henry Stone, which was situated on the Vale of Herbert Station (now Herbert Vale) at Abergowrie in 1865. Groundwater's farm occupies this site now. Duncan McCausland supervised the construction in a Scottish method. The house was called Stone Hut but was constructed from heavy timber with an over-hanging thatched roof.

Five Mile Creek got its name because it is approximately 9 kilometres (5 miles) from Cardwell.

Flagstone Creek - a tributary of Frances Creek. The flat stones in Flagstone Creek had Aboriginal name of 'Bil-la-bul-ghal' (M) M - refers to Muralambeen property.

Forrest Beach was named after Mr George Brownrigg Forrest who was Manager of Victoria Mill from 1896 to 1913. He was married to Ethel Coote King and they lived in a house called 'Nyanza' next to the old church at Victoria Mill. In recent years, Forrest Beach has become known as the town of Allingham in honour of one of the early families of the area.

Fort Herbert - c1868 a detachment of mounted native police were stationed at Waterview (now Bambaroo). This unit was commanded by Sub-Inspector Robert Johnstone who was at the time in charge of native police in the Cardwell area. this police barracks was known as 'Fort Herbert' and was established as a base from which to preserve order among the aborigines who were causing considerable trouble to the European settlers and timber-getters in the area.

Four Mile Road was named due to distance of 6 kilometres (4 miles) from Victoria Mill. The same is true for Two Mile and Three Mile Roads.

Foxlee's Track connected Mt Spec with Mutarnee following the northern slopes of Mt Leach. Named after Phillip Foxlee who was a tin prospector who came from Charters Towers and was at Mt Spec c1900. He was also a packer, but as he and Tom Andrews were not on the best of terms, he blazed his own trail up Mt Leach to Mt Spec. In places this track was very steep and a considerable amount of cutting had to be made to provide a foothold for his teams.

Frances Creek was named after Mrs Frances Allingham of Waterview Station.

Halifax literally means 'hold a flax field'. The town was named by Captain James Cook in 1770 after George Montague Dunk, the Earl of Halifax, and at that time he was the Secretary of State of the Colonies. The town was surveyed in August 1883 by Surveyor G. A. Leondard.

Halifax Hotel - see Copnell's Hotel.

Hamleigh was an early sugar mill owned by A. B. Crowley. In 1882, Mr Alfred Sandlings Cowley established the Hamleigh Sugar Mill in the area behind the International Club. This sugar mill was working until the beginning of this century. All that is left today is a small square of bricks which used to be a chimney in the mill.

Hawkins Creek was named after a Mr Hawkins, who bought the farm belonging to Herbert River pioneer, Henry Stone.

Haycock Island was so called for its circular shape. It is mid-channel in Hinchinbrook Channel and is remarkable for the fact that the tides meet here - one coming from the northern end and the other from the south. At the point where the tides meet, a small whirlpool is formed which has churned out a very deep hole, forming a favourite fishing ground. This hole and the surrounding mangroves form the camping places of the Nutmeg Pigeon (Torres Straits Pigeon). Haycock Island was named by Capt. G. H. Ricards of the 'Hecate' while engaged on hydrographic work en route to England in 1863.

Helen's Hill and Mt Helen were named after one of the daughters of William Ewan from Waterview. Aborigines knew it as 'Mandabin' or 'Mandalin'.

Herbert River was named by Dalrymple in 1864 after Mr R. G. W. Herbert who was the first Premier of Queensland from 1859 to 1866. The river begins around Herberton, which is north east of Mt Garnet flowing out to sea in the Seaforth delta area (between Halifax and Lucinda Point)

Herbert River Express - first publication was in February 1904 by brothers-in-law A. C. Cockrell and H. J. Hoffensetz. The original valley newspaper was the 'Ingham Planter'. At the turn of the century the 'Ingham Planter' amalgamated with 'The Northern Age' to become the 'Northern Planter'. From 1904 until 1906 the 'Northern Planter' and the 'Herbert River Express' published concurrently and in opposition. In 1906, the 'Northern Planter' was absorbed into the Express and full ownership of the paper was acquired by A. C. Cockrell in1915.

Hinchinbrook Channel - first named Rockingham Channel by Blackwood of the 'Fly' in 1843.

Hinchinbrook Island - Capt. Cook was the first British navigator to sight the island and named it Hillock Point in 1770. The island was named 'Hinchinbrook' in May 1819 by Captain P. P. King of the H. M. S. 'Mermaid' after the earl of Sandwich's estate in England (John Montagu the first Lord of the English Admiralty in 1763). Hinchinbrook Island if the largest island National Park in Australia and is 39 000 hectares in area. The highest point on the island is Mt Bowen at 1142 m in the centre and was named in honour of Gov. Sir George Bowen. Mt Diamintina was named in honour of the governor's wife, Lady Roma Diamintina Bowen, who was a Venetian countess.

Hospital - the first section of the present Ingham Hospital was constructed in 1883. The first doctor was W. C. C. MacDonald MD. During 1927 the hospital was enlarged to include a Maternity ward, a new Nurses Quarters and an improved operating theatre and in 1948 a laboratory was added. The hospital was again upgraded in 1982 and 1989.

Hotels - In 1905, a total of 11 hotels were licensed for the district:

Royal Hotel, Lucinda
Waverley Hotel, Waverley
Exchange Hotel, Halifax
Day Dawn Hotel, Ingham
Ewan Hotel, Ewan
Halifax Hotel, Halifax
Royal Hotel, Ingham
Seymour, Seymour River
Walker's Hotel, Ewan
Commercial Hotel, Halifax

Jacobson's Track provided access to Ingham from the mining town of Ewan. It passed near Mt Jacobson to Hidden Valley and was the earliest of the Mt Spec tracks and the one most used. It was named after its trailblazer Sigvardt Jacobson, known locally as Sid. He was born in Christana in Norway in 1849, spent 33 years in Queensland and died on 5th July 1905 at Francis Creek from dengue fever. Jacobson was a ship's carpenter and settled on Francis Creek where he cultivated a garden and grew the first tobacco in the area. Mining at Mt Spec, he thought the track was far too long, as it ran for about 16 kilometres (10 miles) to the Upper Stone River then back again. He decided to find a shorter way, starting at the top and coming out about 5 kilometres (3 miles) from his home on Francis Creek. There are still traces of this track now, as there is a well graded timber road.

Jock's Lodge was named by Dalrymple in 1863 either after 'Jock's Lodge', a hamlet outside Edinburgh, or Jock, a bullock driver with him. It was used as an overnight stopping place, together with Vale of Herbert and Stone's Hut, for any party arriving from Cardwell.

Johnstone, Robert Sgt - c1870 Sergeant Robert Johnstone was appointed Inspector of Native Mounted Police in the Herbert River district and was stationed at Waterview (see Fort Herbert). Following his retirement from the police force, he stayed in the Lower Herbert, selecting 'Molonga' in partnership with L. J. Goulter.

Jourama Falls comes from the Aboriginal word meaning 'singing or murmuring waters'. Jourama Falls are located on the upper reaches of Station Creek (originally known as Waterview Creek), behind Yuruga. In 1963/64, a group of 20 Rotarians assisted by Forestry Department officers and C. M. F. Unit officers privided an access road to within 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) of the base of the falls.

Macknade Mill, along with Harwood Mill in New South Wales are the oldest operating sgar mills in Australia, both being established in 1874. Macknade was started by the Neame Brothers from Macknade, Faversham in Kent, England. The C.S.R. Company was first formed in Sydney in 1755. It had interests in the Pacific Islands before venturing into the Australian Milling area. C.S.R. purchased the Macknade Mill in 1897. It was a wel equipped modern factory for that time.

Arthur and Frenk Neame, sons of English county gentleman, Fredrick Neame of Macknade, Faversham were the men who started the building of Macknade. Arthur was a pupil of the engineer in charge of Blackfriers Bridge over the Thames River in London. Neame's name is recorded on one of the piers of the ridge. Both brothers left England in 1870. After a short stay on a sheep farm near Roma, they travelled to Cardwell looking for a place to start a sugar plantation. It was eventually decided to settle at Macknade, in the area bound by the Herbert River Anabranch and the sea, and larger than the county of Kent. They retained the Macknade plantation until 1896 when it was sold to the C.S.R co.

Mafeking Tree was planted in front of the police station as locals celebrated the relief of Mafeking (South Africa) during the Boer War. It was planted by the Ingham Postmaster of the day, Mr. Simpson, whose son had been in the siege. The Boer War broke out in October 1899. The tree became a traditional spot for the open air political and other meetings which had been a feature of the time. Younger members of the community can rad the plaque at the base of the tree, and perhaps understand why this tree ranks with the Cenotaph (recently moved to the Botanical Gardens) as a memorial to the heroes and victims of war.

Magnetic Island has many aboriginal names such as - Tun-gul-nug-gum, Daggoombah, yoonbanoon, yunbunym.

Maraka - Originaly the festival was a Mardi Gras on June 10 1959 and because it was a success, the Ingham Rotary and Apex Clubs and Council decided to make it an annual event. the following year the name "Rotapex Carnival" failed to gain support. The committee approached the James Cook University for list of local Aboriginal words which may be appropirate. It was decided to use the name "Maraka", which means "pleasant evening" or "happy to get together."

Ingham's first Maraka queen in 1960 was Gail Reitano who was chosen from 27 entrants. Carla tento and Antionette Vitale were the runners up.

Mary River, aboriginal name is Monoboola.

Mc Alpine, Nurse was a qualified obstetric nurse - trained Lady Bowen Hospital, Brisbane.

Meso Potamia was a block of land owned by Henry Stone and Walter Scott. When settlers requested the establishment of the native mounted police closer to the river, the detachment was transferred from Waterview to Meso Potamia, which soon its given name and became known as the "police paddock." this site was where Gedge's Crossing is now.

Miner's Rest Hotel closed down in 1905, when mining slumped.

Mining Industry - The Hills - the Kangaroo Hills Mineral Field - provided a vital part of the local economic scene in 1905. (See "Looking back" 1905 - Pg. 4, 5)

Mission Beach - The name was taken from the Queensland government Aboriginal Settlement at the Hull River. The settlement was generally known as "Mission," the area had been thought to be called "Kenny" after the superintendent, but eventually settled on "Mission."

Molonga is a word taken from the local dialect of the aborigines and meant "the place of devils." This name was chosen on the quarters. (See "Looking back" 1905 - Pg. 8.) Following his retirement from the police force, Robert Johnstone stayed in the Lower Herbert District. Selecting "Molonga" in partnership with L.J. Goulter. (Molonga, near Palm Creek, is where Alan Bosworth's property now stands.)

Montgomery's Folly was the first culvert between Ingham and Halifax because of a drainage blunder by the Divisional Board Engineer, Montgomery.

Moongobulla is aboriginal for, "plenty of floating grass in the water."

Mother's Day is the second Sunday of May each year. This day was chosen to be Mothers' Day by Miss Anna M Jarvis, of Philadelphia, because her mother, a Methodist Sunday School teacher, died on that day in 1905. Miss Jarvis lobbied the United States Congress for eight years, finally persuading it to declare in 1913 that the second Sunday in May would be a public holiday (not an over-generous gesture, seeing it was Sunday, anyway) dedicated to "the best mother in the world - to your Mother!" Mothers' Day remained an American aberration for many years. For one thing, the Church of England had for centuries observed the fourth Sunday in Lent as Mothering Sunday, with a special service - and apprentices and serving maids were allowed to go home for the day, taking a posy or perhaps a traditional Lenten/Easter simnel cake, to their mothers.

Motor Cars - The first motor vehicle came to Herbert River District in September, 1906. (See "Looking back" Pg. 8)

It is believed that Mr. T Gard was the first owner of a car in the district. The N.Q. Register (April 21 1913) records the event as follows: "Mr. T Gard of Victoria Mill has just landed a new motor car, and is busy getting it fixed up ready for the road. I understand Mr. Gard is going to use the car for carrying passengers, and will also hire it out by the day, etc. Mr Jerry Taylor is, I believe to be put in charge as driver and mechanics."

The first car dealer was Mr. Harold J Hoffensetz who established, "Hoffens etz Brothers Dodge Agents," on land where Nick Hideaway is now situated. The shop was later moved back to make way for music shop.

Mount Lang is situated near the Valley of Lagoons. It was named by Leichardt in 1845 after Dr. John Dunmore Lang, a distinguished Sydney clergyman.

Mount Leach - Named by P.P. King, 1819

Mount Spec was the highest peak in Paluma Range. It had four origins: 1. - Named after a pack horse called, "Old Speck," which carried tin and provisions along Jacobson's Track. the horse was the favourite hack of Mr. E.A. Rankin, which he rode when tin scratching. Rankin was amongst the first to discover the area could produce metal of saleable quantities. The horse had a white speck on his face and was the first to be seen as they came round the mountain. 2. - A camping spot clear of clouds where pack teams emerged from star valley. 3. - the area was found by Arthur Benham and his party in 1889 who struck a tin lore they said it looked like a good, "Spec." 4. - "The spec," a brig of 164 tons, arrived in Sydney 1856 via New Caledonia. She traded along the east coast of Australia.

Mont Westminster Abbey was named by Dalrymple in 1864.

Mount Cordelia was named after a lady with the name of Cordelia.

Mount Farquharson was named by Dalrymple, after a member of his party.

Mount Fox (An extinct volcano) was named after Arthur Aloysius Fox (born in Adelaide, 22/10/1847) and educated overseas from the age of seven years in France, Germany and England until 1864.

He then stayed with relations in Dublin, Ireland and then returned to South Australia in 1868, when he was 21. It is assumed he managed the Mount Fox Pastoral Area for A. C. Gardiner around 1874. Mount Fox summit 875 metres (2870 feet) above sea level Regarded as the youngest of the mainland volcanoes and was apparently still active during the time of the early aborigines.

A. A. Fox was a nephew of F. C. Cardiner, who in 1893 sold some of his land to W. B. Ingham. With the proceeds he bought four additional blocks of land on what was known as Mount Fox Holding Not long after he got his nephew to come from Adelaide to manage it.

Mount George - In parish of Lannercost, named by Dalrymple in 1864.

Mount Graeme - Now generally known as Mount Graham, named Mount Graeme by Dalrymple in 1832 after his mother. (In honour of the Claverhouse Graemes.) A high mountain at the head of Gowrie Creek.

Mount Sir Arthur Scott is situated in the Rockingham Bay Range and was named in 1864 by Dalrymple after Arthur Jervoise Scott.

Muralambeen: Victoria Estate teaken up in 1876 by John Allingham has won distinction by her knowledge of Botany in North Queensland. "Muralambeen" - a word of the Mungalla area tribe - translates literally as, "water all over the place." the name had been given by the natives as a consequence of parts if the area having the appearance of once being part of the ocean bed.

Timber for the Muralambeen residence was landed at what now is known as Cassady's Beach by ketea. It was taken to the site by the bullock teams of John Cummins who also acted as builder.

Newspaper. Herbert River Express - The Herbert River Express actually started on February 5, 1904. Mr. Cockrell and Mr.Hoffensetz were the earliest partners and after they parted, the business was continues by Mr. Cockrell. Miss Irene Cockrell (daughter of the owner) started working in the office in 1928 at the age of 16 and continues until she retired.

The Cockrell family continued their association with the business until it was sold to North Queensland Newspapers (a branch of News Ltd. owned by Mr. Rupert Murdoch) in the 1960's.

Originally there were two newspapers in the Herbert River District - "The Ingham Planter" in Ingham and the "Northern Age" in Halifax. They joined together to become "The Northern Planter." Mr. Cockrell and Mr. Hoffensetz started the Herbert River Express in 1904 and bought our the "Northern Planter." The name was presumably chosen because the new paper was to cover the Herbert River District.

The "Ingham Planter" had its first issue in 1894, with the "Northern Age" following shortly after with its first edition. The Ingham Printing Press was owned by Alston Rowland Simpson and was situated in the main street of Ingham, near the old Shire Hall in the vicinity of Lee's Hotel. The two newspapers amalgamated in 1900 when Mr. Alston bought the Northern Age from O. Waller. It was called the Northern Planter which was then sold to Nolan and Russell, and later to Hoffensetz and Cockrell with the first edition appearing in February 1904, with Mr. Hoffensetz running the printing section and Mr. Cockrell taking the role of editor. This newspaper became the Herbert river Express. Soon after, Mr. Cockrell bought out Mr. Hoffensetz to run the combined company.

Noorla - Aboriginal term for "Happy home."

Nyanza House was built in 1881 as the first residence for the Managers of Victoria Mill. The house a landmark, burnt down on the night of 3/1/1931 despite efforts by farm workers to save it. Peter Catrastellaro owned the Victoria Estate farm which when subdivided, had contained Nyanza House.

Palm Islands. Bool -Gool - Win.

Palm Scrub. "Bulligeimon" by Wondulla Tribe.

Palms ("Yoolbaree")

Swamp ("youmee")

Junction of Palm Creek and Lucy Creek. (Doo - Loo Sydney May)

Paluma. Named after one of the earliest ships of the Queensland navy, the Gunboat "HMQS Paluma" ( Commander being Lieut. G. Richards ) - Cape Richards, H'brook Island - named after him. Built in England in 1884 expressly for service on theQueensland Coast, arriving in Qld. 1885. It is best remembered as a survey ship. "Gayundah" was her sister - ship. It is said that " Paluma and "Gayundah" are Aboriginal words for "thunder" and "Lightning". In the early days it was known as "Cloudy Clearing".

Pelican Lakes. Descriptive, namaed by Dalrymple in 1986.

People.

Allingham, G.G. Cr. Alifetime of community involvememnt in the Herbert River district by Cr G.G. Allingham was recognised by the Ingham Rotary Club. Herbert River Express 15.12.84
Allingham, J. Mr.. Sheep farming in 1905. See "Looking Back" P. 7

Altoff, George. Mr.. Enterprising farmer at Gairloch in 1905. See "Looking Back" - 1905 Page 3

'Annual Licensing Court'. Before Col. G.H. Newman, P.M., Messsrs. L.J. Gardiner, A.W. Carr, J. Johns, J. Rosendahl, E.W. Waring, R.S. Alston and E.S. Waller, J.J.P. See "Looking Back" 1905 Page 3

Barker, John. A tribute paid to John Barker - a major benefactor to the project of the Canossa Nursing Home. Herbert River Express 27.3.82

Bromfield, Charles. Mr.. Journeyed to Cardwell where he had been with the view of looking at the dugong fishing industry. See "Looking Back" 1905 Page 2

Carr, A.W. ( Austin William ). White Labour Conference. Canefarmer 1905. See" Looking Back "1905 P.6,8.

Collings, Mr. - First Post and Telegraph Master. 1877. Only stayed a short time.

Fadden - Sir Atrhur's Father - was a policeman in Ingham. See "Famous People of Ingham".

Fraser, Frank. Mr. - Despatching mules to Manilla in 1905.

Giorcelli, Loretta. Dr. - The former Principal or the Ingham Special School, Dr. Loretta Giorcelli, who now is Principal Education Officer in charge og the education of hearing - impared childrren in N.S.W., is a member of a well - known local family and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Giorcelli who now reside in Townsville. Herbert River Express. 5.2.85

Hartwell and Sons owners of Antigua Estate, Stone River in 1905. Bought off R.G.Johnson who grew grain and vegetables. Also experimented with cane.

Mercer, John. - John and his wife Rebecca had a son on 25.8.1870. They had taken up a selection in Lower Herbert area and which today is the general town area of Ingham. He also maintained an overland mail service between Townsville and the Valley. John Mercer (senior) was drowned a little more than 3 years after the birth of his son, losing his life in Saltwater ( now Crystal ) Creek while carrying mail on Christmas Day 1873. Early heavy rains had flooded the creek blocking his way, and he attempted to cross before the level had dropped sufficiently, apparently in a desire to join his family before the Christmas period had passed completely. The name of the family is commemorated in Mount Mercer which is also known as warren's Hill.

Parsons, John. - Murdered by a Kanaka.

Robinson, Frederick. Mr. - New hotel on Halifax Road. 1905.

Townson, Thos. Mr. - Owner of Grosvener Farm, situated about 5 kilometres (3 miles) from Ingham on the Stone River side. 1905.

Ward. Mr. - Replaced Mr. Collings as first Post & Telegraph Master 1877.

Pioneer Women.

Anderson, Lousia. Mrs. There are many women who are worthy of inclusion in this answer. I will mention only two. Mrs. Anderson was a midwife ( she helped bring babies into the world ). Lousia was born in 1962 at Rockhampton. she was the daughter of Mr. John Buchanan and Susannah Theresa O'Neil who was a nursing sister. Lousia married Christian Anderson on 23 May 1879 at Cardwell. They had a family of five, two of whom died in a drowning accident in the Herbert River. Lousia would travel to all areas of the district to assist young mothers in having their babies. She was known to swim the flooded Herbert River and to travel over Mount Fox to Ewan and Kangaroo Hills on horseback. She died in 1948 at a Eventide Nursing Home at Charters Towers. In those days there were very few doctors and women were called upon to assist with the sick.

Campbell, Isabella is the other lady who was amongst the first white women in the district. Isabella Campbell was a widow who came from Scotland with her three children, Alexander, Murdoch and Isabella Alexandrina. She came out to be a companion to the MacKenzie family at Gairloch. She met George Wickham there and married him. George Wickham built Planter's Retreat Hotel located in the area of Gerry Lynn and Joe Mizzi's farm. It was the first hotel outside Ingham to be built in 1873. ( A photograph appeared in "Early Brides of the Valley" H.R. Express 17.8.89 )
Isabella looked after the hotel which lost its licence in 1904. It became the home of Isabella Hunter, who was Isabella Wickham's daughter.
Like so many women in those days, life was not easy for Isabella. Women not only had to contend with loneliness when their husbands were away for long periods of time, but with wild tribal Aborigines and lack of facilities. Diseases like Influenza, Scarlet Fever, Malaria, Dysentery and Whooping Cough killed many children. Nowadays, they are no longer considered life threatening and can be treated.
Food supplies were limited to the essentials - flour, salt and tea. Eggs, chickens, beef, butter, milk and vegetables were produced on the farms. A trip to the shops sometimes took half a day to get there, so goods were bought in large amounts. There was no electricity, and carbide gas and kerosene lamps were used. A lot of the meat was salted as they couldn't keep it fresh. Clothes were washed by hand on a scrubbing board and wood copper. The stove ran on wood, and older children often had the chore of choppng the wood. Wood was piled outside the kitchen and the stove had to be cleaned out regularly ( a very dirty job ).

Borello, Angiolina. Mrs. Mrs. Borello was a midwife who lived at the place which is now called Beeva Road on the Abergowrie side of Trebonne. Mrs. Borello brought many babies into the world during the 20 years she worked as a midwife. In the late 1930's midwives were required to sit for written examination so they could practise. Unfortunately, Mrs. Borello was not very fluent in Written English and was unable to sit the exam. Her books on Midwifery, written in Italian were placed in a library in Brisbane after her death. Rumour has it that this book is now in her family's hands.

More information on these and other women and their lives can be obtained from the L.H.Index at the library

Port Hinchinbrook - Named by G. H. RichardsOn 1863

Post Office.

Built in 1870’s. Collins, Roaca, Simpson. See file “Ingham and District Post Offices”.

Prawning. The book “Lucinda, N.Q. – Yesterday and today” which is available in the L.H. Anthology gives details which will assist with this answer. The first trawlers began operating commercially from Lucinda in 1967.
The first catch of Banana prawns was sold from Dungeness for 40 cents a pound (green) and 50 cents a pound (cooked). The first commercial buyers to operate from this areas were Keppel Pty Ltd. from Bundaberg in 1968. Ice was brought up from Bundaberg by freezer vans to supplement ice from Altadonnas. The trawlers had to wait in port until the catch was practically sold.

Q.C.W.A Upper Stone Branch. Golden Jubilee celebrations. Herbert River Express 14.10.82

Queensland ’s Coat Of Arms. Queensland ’s Coat of Arms is the oldest in Australia . It was granted by Queen Victoria in 1893 to the Colony of Queensland. They were the first arms to be given to any British colony since Charles II granted Jamaica its Arms in 1661. The symbols represent the different areas of the economy of Queensland – wheat, the bull and sheep represent the rural industries and the mining industry is represented by the column of gold rising from a block of quartz. Our motto (written in Latin at the base of the Arms) means :Bold – aye and Faithful too”. The red deer and brolga were assigned in 1977.

Queensland ’s Emblems. Since 1971 the Queensland ’s fauna emblem has been the Koala. The Cooktown Orchid was proclaimed as Queensland ’s floral emblem during celebrations to mark Queensland ’s centenary in 1959. Our state bird Is the Brolga, officially proclaimed as such in January 1986. Queensland ’s State Gem is the Sapphire, adopted in August 1985.

Rainforest Birds. There is not a most common bird in the district’s rainforests but the honeyeaters and robins are the dominant families of birds in the rainforests, depending on which area of the forest you are in and where the forest is situated. The honeyeaters are nectar, fruit and insect eaters, while the robins eat only insects. (information supplied by John Young, Wildlife Consultant).

Rain Trees. (Rein/Rhein) ( Peru ) People there claimed that these trees “rained” or exuded moisture during the night. The ground consequently always being moist and the grass always green beneath them.

Religion. The first priest in the Herbert River District was Reverend MacKenzie who emigrated from Scotland . Rev. MacKenzie and his wife settled in Cardwell and his family settled at Gairloch. As a retired Presbyterian minister, Rev. MacKenzie travelled throughout the district performing religious ceremonies at private homes because the first church, the Anglican Holy Trininty, was not built until 1886.

Ryan, Dennis. Rev. Fr. Halifax Parish Priest died on way to Ireland . (H. R. Express 4.4.83)

Residences. Ross Common Homestead . Lovers of old houses will be interested in a recent book by Dr. Peter Bell. (H.R. Express 26.1.85)

Ripple Creek Mill. Mr R.M. Boyd acquired the selection held by Mr. J. Arnott, called Ripple Creek. He started a plantation under the names of Messrs. Wood Bros. and Boyd, Mr Boyd being the manager, while his partners were in Newcastle . John Ewan Davidson entered the mouth of the Herbert River on 23/05/1896 in his boat “Julia” – Recorded in his diary that he carved a “D” on a gum two-thiros up Mt. Katharina, but was interrupted by natives. He camped by a little brook, which he named “Ripple Creek” as it is now known.

River Marlon. Now Meunga River . Named by Dalrymple in 1864 after Lieut. Marlow of the Native Mounted Police.

Rockingham Bay . See Cardwell. Named in 1770 by Capt. Cook after Charles Watson Wentworth, Second Marquis of Rockingham, 1730 – 1782.

Rollingstone. Rollingstone – possible named after the round creek stones found in the creek bed, many the size and shape of soccer balls. Most people have heard the roar of the water and seen the stones tumbling down. In this manner the creek became known as Rollingstone Creek, and the district was known as Armidale (1883). Mail coach from Townsville – driver George croton, stopped here regularly. By 1905 the service from Townsville to Ingham took 4 days. The name Armidale gradually changed to Rollingstone after the bridge was built over the creek. Railway line to Ingham was completed in 1919. As the mail used to be sent to the station master, who acted as post master, the use of Armidale as an address grew less and less and the use of Rollingstone became more popular with local residents. There was a certain amount of confusion with Armidale NSW. Rail motors ceased running in January 1970.

Roscommon. Taken up and named by Hawkins – a county in the province of Connaught , also a town in North-west Ireland .

Royal Flying Doctor Service. The Royal Flying Doctor Service covers remote areas where regular medical services are not available and are difficult to reach, except by air. Most of the Herbert River District is not in this category. Areas such as Mt. Fox are serviced by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. This area is part of the Cairns Flying Doctor Service and aircraft can usually be on one of the properties within several hours.

Most properties have an airstrip, radio and a first aid kit which can be used under supervision from the Flying doctor. Items in the medical kits are numbered and when the doctors are advertising on minor ailments over the radio, the patient is told to use ointment number 2 or whatever is appropriate.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service is really an ambulance in the air which started operation in 1928 at Cloncurry. It was the dream of Rev. John Flynn.

For the most important piece of equipment, Alf Trager invented the pedal-powered generator, now known as the pedal radio, to enable people of the outback to communicate with each other.

The radio operated in much the same was as a telephone, except that all can listen in on your conversation. It was to become an essential piece of equipment on remote stations.

Children on remote stations cannot attend school like those closer to the coast or near cities, and many rely on the School of the Air is conducted from Flying Doctor Bases, using a two way radio.

The first school of the air commenced in 1960, with one teacher, Bid O’Sullivan and 14 isolated children answering the radio toll-call. The home base was radio call sign VJI in Cloncurry, which was later transferred to Mt. Isa in June 1964. Children in this area are supervised by teachers working at the Cairns Base.

Russian Jack. Finnish Settler (See “Finnish Pioneers” file).

Wallaman Falls - see Waterfalls.

Waterfalls

Blencoe Creek Falls - Blencoe Creek rises high on the Cardwell Range and there are many lovely rapids and short falls along the creek. The creek makes a spectacular leap over the rugged mountain side to join the Herbert River. A rough track accessable to four-wheel drives reaches to within 0.8 kilometre (1/2 mile) of the falls, with tracks made right to the very edge of the gorge.
Cashmere Falls - situated on the Herbert River about 129 kilometres (80 miles) from the mouth, Cashmere Falls have a drop of 122 metres (400 feet), with the main falls extending straight for 72 metres (235 feet).
Garrawalt Falls - Garrawalt Creek, a tributary of the Herbert, provides a drop of 122 metres (400 feet) in three spectacular leaps into rockbound pools.
Millstream Falls are situated on an upper tributary of the Herbert River. Although only 18 metres (60 feet) high, they are probably the widest in Australia. They represent an unbroken straight wall of foaming water all year round and are situated in very picturesque, open forest country.
Wallaman Falls are found in the Seaview Range on Stoney Creek which is a tributary of the Herbert River 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of Ingham. They were discovered by George Elphinstone Dalrymple, Farquharson and Henry Stone in 1864. Mr Stone, in later years had the falls measured by a competent person and they were said to be 280 metres (920 feet) without a break over a clean face of rock, and from the 'overshot' to the foot at the bottom was 327 metres (1072 feet). Today Wallaman Falls is recognised as the highest sheer drop in Australia measuring 268 metres. Wallaman is a local aboriginal name meaning 'that water'.

Watkins, William (also known as Fred 'Mickey' Watkins) - see Cardwell - Boatbuilding.