Written by Kerrie Alexander
There is a very special 50th birthday about to take place in Hervey Bay and it’s sure to be one for the history books.
On March 16, 1974, a crowd of about 1000 people gathered at the gates of the Hervey Bay Historical Village and Museum for its grand opening with two buildings, damper cooking and a model aircraft display.
At the time, Hervey Bay was in the State Electorate of Isis so having State Government Member Jim Blake conduct the opening ceremony was certainly special.
Museum historian John Andersen said the crowd in attendance could have never imagined what was in store for the museum, and Hervey Bay, 50 years on.
“The museum has grown to include a large area of land, over 25 buildings, tens of thousands of priceless exhibits, an educational and research centre, and repository for the largest and best-preserved photographic record on the Fraser Coast,” John said.
“In a sign of the times, our Google supplied monthly numbers are at times staggering with hits of 366,000 in August and September.
“The 50th Birthday celebrations will of course be a big event to celebrate.”
In today’s uncertain times, there’s a strong case to be made that museums are more relevant today than ever before.
They are the story tellers of Australian history with past events, wonders and tragedies all recorded for generations to come.
The Hervey Bay Historical Village and Museum is one of the best museums in Queensland and is dedicated to shining a light on both our present and our future through exhibitions and displays, open days, special events and special publications featuring previously unseen photos and history snippets.
Visitors are often asked to be involved in hands-on demonstrations of corn shelling, treadling the wood lathe and making their own piece of rope using a 100-year-old machine.
John is one of many dedicated volunteers who has spent many years working and preserving the Fraser Coast’s history.
He is a fifth generation local and never imagined that the “small, seaside town” of Pialba would become the busy city of Hervey Bay that it is today.
“No one in their wildest dreams imagined that it (Hervey Bay) was going to develop like it did.
“Because originally there was the Esplanade, Cypress St and Torquay Rd, there was nothing behind that, only farms.”
In recent years the museum has compiled four superb publications with local history published in stories and photos, some of which had never been seen before.
Moments in Time, a Pictorial History of Hervey Bay and Surrounds, 1890 to 2018, was one of the highly successful projects with over 1500 copies sold.
In 2019, the museum was named a finalist in state achievement awards for the project.
The book took nine months to complete and featured many photos, pangrams and postcards that date back to the 1890s, with many of the photos found at the local dump and saved by a long-time friend of Mr Andersen’s.
“It’s just the circumstance of how they were found. If that fellow hadn’t been at the tip at that particular moment, those old glass negatives would have been buried forever and gone.
“Now some 20 years later they have finished up in a place where they should be, they are here for keeps and digitised so the public can see them.
“There really is no other photographic record of the period showing life of the era in such detail.”
This kind of coincidence is not uncommon with people and their stories from all over Australia contacting the museum about items of historical significance.
They also lean on the museum to find out the history of family and friends who resided in the region with photos of their old homes, workplaces, paper clipping and much more.
John often tells these stories brilliantly on the museum’s Facebook page.
“I have been fortunate enough to live here all my life and have all my history from here and Maryborough, and it’s gratifying to know that we’re doing something for the future.
“In 50 years’ time, this history will still be referred to and looked at.”
The golden anniversary will also be etched in history with a special 200-page publication set to be released at the day of celebrations on Saturday, March 16, called “50 Historic Years”.
The first 300 families through the gate will receive a complimentary copy valued at $40.
The book features snippets of history from 1974 to now with the region’s hospitals, schools, roads, building and progress all recorded for generations to come.
“It’s a full pictorial on the history of the Fraser Coast,” John said.
“It’s been produced by the Museum’s 50th Anniversary Committee and we really look forward to seeing it in print.”
Other special features will be the unveiling of a one-metre-high marble cairn generously donated by J. Kirk & Sons, a specially designed sun dial kindly donated by long-time Maryborough Company Olds Engineering and the raising of a special flag designed by the winner of the “design a museum flag” competition.
The public can also take a step back in time as they walk through the museum gates to find out the history of the Maheno shipwreck, the regions’ old Shark Show, work logbooks from the Urangan Pier, a large machinery display, a horse-drawn milk cart, history of our local fire brigade and engines, the original Dundowran School and so much more.
“It’s a free day with lots of different activities organised for the day.
“It’s a one in a 50-year day so come along and be part of history.”
The museum is located at 13 Zephyr Street, Scarness.
CELEBRATE AUSTRALIA DAY
The museum will also host a special celebration on Australia Day with tractor rides, thong throwing, rope making, food and drink stalls, and much more.
Photos of the day will then be featured in the special 50th anniversary publication.
Entry is $5 adults, children free. Gates open at 10am. Follow the Facebook page for more information.
