Portside Heritage Precinct

2022 has gotten off to a wet start with flood waters from the Mary River inundating the Bond Store and the lower lying parts of the city. The water peaked at 9.96m at Mcallister Street Gauge at Portside. The water rose to about half a metre below the floorboards of the first floor at the Bond Store. A massive team effort ensured all the display pieces on the ground floor were moved safely to higher ground. We are now in the process of remediation works to dry out and stablise the ground floor in order to ensure the integrity of this historically significant building. While the Bond Store will remain closed for some time, you can still get your fix of all the delicious ports, liqueurs and produce you would normally find at our new ‘Pop- Up Store’ located just around the corner at The Story Bank, so be sure to pop in and say hello.

The Bond Store Amanda Kratzmann

Of course, The Bond Store is no stranger to floods, after all, on the northern wall is the official flood marker for such events and it has already been updated with the latest flood level for January 2022. The parks and gardens surrounding the Bond Store have all reopened so you can soak in (no pun intended) the history of Portside which offers a range of experiences including cafes and pubs, museums and historical collections, inspiring art and culture.

Wharf Street, Maryborough portside@frasercoast.qld.gov.au 4190 5722 Admission fees apply. Discounts for locals. Monday to Friday 9:30am to 3:30pm Weekends & Public Holidays 9:30am to 2pm 55

Tea with Mary

BY REQUEST A Mary Poppins inspired character guides you on a personal tour of beautiful riverside parks and glorious colonial architecture. Finish with a delightful morning tea. Cost: Adult $30, Child $15.

Free Guided Walking Tour

MON, WED & THU | 9am - 10:30am Learn more about the colourful history of Maryborough on a free guided walking tour. The perfect way to share our local history with visiting friends and family. Departs City Hall. Bookings essential. Book at www.portsideheritagegateway.com.au or the Visitor Information Centre located at City Hall. Conditions apply.

A HISTORY OF FLOODS & TRIUMPHS

Since early settlement, the Maryborough community has put aside individual concerns to show great solidarity, compassion and tireless effort to recover from devastating floods and rebuild the city. Early settlers quickly discovered the gently named Mary River could rage with fury. But four floods from 1864 to 1890 still didn't prepare town for what was coming next...

THE GREAT FLOOD OF 1893

After days of heavy rains in the catchment the Mary rose rapidly, peaking at 40 feet (12.27 metres) above the wharf. Over 150 houses, businesses, sugar mills, barns and factories disappeared or were destroyed along with crops and livestock. Hundreds were left homeless. The Maryborugh Bridge (now the Lamington Bridge) was washed away with an almighty crash. It remains the worst flood in Queensland's history.

THE 1955 FLOOD

In 1955, Maryborough endured its second biggest flood. Torrential rain generated by Cyclone Bertha caused the Mary to rise more than a metre an hour during the night. Overnight, Maryborough became a city of canals with many people in the lower parts of the city stepping out of bed into cold, muddy water.

JANUARY 2022

We are literally still drying out from this one. The floodwaters lapped against the floorboards of the Bond Store's top floor and extensive cleaning and restoration works are underway. We look forward to reopening soon.

2022 Curiosity

1 April – 31 May 2022

The Australian Heritage Festival is created with the vision of recognising and celebrating the significance of our natural, historic and Indigenous heritage places and ensuring they are valued by Australians, protected for future generations and cared for by the community. The Australian Heritage Festival is coordinated annually by the National Trust of Australia in partnership with the Australian Government. The 2022 Australian Heritage Festival theme is Curiosity. From the city to the regions, this theme brings heritage to life by encouraging communities to actively wonder, investigate and learn about natural, cultural, Aboriginal, living and built heritage around the nation. Visit www.nationaltrust.org.au/ahf/qld to find a calendar of events happening both in our region and acrtoss the state.

A RICH HISTORY OF PUTTING OUR REGION ON SHOW

FRASER COAST AGRICULTURAL SHOW SOCIETY

Left: An excerpt from the flyer for the first show in 1875. Above: The Grand Parade, 1933. Supplied by Show Society.

In 1875 the Maryborough, Wide Bay and Burnett Pastoral and Agricultural Society held their first annual show with displays of local crafts, produce and livestock, equestrian and woodchopping events and a Grand Parade. Nearly one hundred and fifty years later – and now known as the Fraser Coast Agricultural Show Society – their annual Show still features many of the same events and displays along side more recent additions like state of the art fireworks displays, high tech rides and sideshow games, machinery and agricultural displays. Over all that time, 2020 marked only the third break in the show's running due to coronavirus, the others being in 1919 due to the influenza outbreak and then during WWII, when the showgrounds' buildings were used for military purposes. After the military withdrew from the showgrounds much work had to be done to bring the grounds up to standard for the Victory Show of 1946. The show was originally held much closer to the CBD with the old grounds being where Chelsea Retirement Village is now located. "This year will be the 42nd show held at the current location," Tracey Hillier, Show Society Director said. The Show Society is run by a board and volunteers – who beyond organising the show – also run the Showgirl and Junior Rural Ambassador program as well as their other major annual event, Rodeo Rythm & Revs. It's a busy, but very rewarding role. "New volunteers are always welcome, as are Show Society Members." There are currently over 200 members who enjoy benefits like premium parking, unlimited entry to the show and discounted entry to other events. Membership for an adult costs just $25, less than the cost of a two day pass. "We have a great lineup of displays and events planned for this year's show and are excited for the upgrades currently taking place at the grounds," Tracey said. This year's Fraser Coast Ag Show takes place on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 May.

Above: Tents of the 47th Battalion at the old show grounds. State Library of Qld. Right: Maryborough Show 1959 - Cavalcade of Transport display. Fraser Coast Libraries. 61