People of Maroochy 2 is currently being researched for a new publication due in late 2013 . If you have tales of Sunshine Coast identities and families who have contributed to the community of the Sunshine Coast, you are welcome to submit items for inclusion in this forthcoming publication.  People of Maroochy People of Maroochy tells some of the many stories of those who lived and worked in the area over the years. Some of these stories have been contributed by family members or descendants. Some have been drawn from our extensive collection of local newspaper articles and illustrated with photographs from our collection. The stories represent a cross section of people, places and activities over many years and provide valuable insights into the people who made Maroochy. A list of contents is available as a pdf file for download. COST: $35.00 190pages / illustrated / A4 Phone 5441 4266 to order a copy or email genealogysc@gmail.com BOOK REVIEW by Betty Garrad
“People of Maroochy” Compiled and edited by Genealogy Sunshine Coast, published 2009, soft cover, 188 pages, illustrated, list of sources, general index. ISBN 978-0-9803538-3-9. Cost $35 plus $10 postage from The Secretary, Genealogy Sunshine Coast, PO Box 1051, Nambour Qld 4560.
“A tribute to some of the people who helped shape the history of the Maroochy Shire”, the book consists of entries compiled from information gleaned from Pioneer records held by Genealogy Sunshine Coast, from newspaper records, from public records on file, and from contributed data.
A taste of the first 150 years of the history of Qld, as experienced in the old Maroochy Shire, has been provided in these stories. The page,“Those that came before”, tells of the Aboriginal tribes, with anecdotal references to Tom Petrie’s friend Karal. “The Legend of Maroochy” is delightfully presented in verse form by Jack Bade, who also contributed the article on the Bade family. There are over 100 articles, varying in length from a couple of paragraphs to a few pages. They feature men and women from all walks of life, some famous, like artist Hugh Sawrey, Olympic champion Jim Achurch, and Eddie De Vere, Chairman of Maroochy Shire for 15 years. Some are ordinary folk like Eddie’s brother Frank De Vere of Image Flat, Adam Pringle of Woombye, Ernest Middleton (“Middy”) of Buderim, Ernest Settlefield of Mapleton (the Lilyponds), Henry Dobe of Coolum and Charles Clarke of Mooloolaba, to name a few. But each of these “ordinary” folk made a difference to the community by the quality and quantity of services rendered.
Women of the district have not been neglected in this book. Find out how many babies were delivered by Nurse Bade. Imagine Charlotte Kuskopf closing the doors so no one could sneak out early from the meeting in the Woombye School of Arts. Picture Bli Bli teacher Mrs Love riding her horse two miles to school side saddle. Older people will remember Ada Moloney, Norma Bury and Thelma Collins, the list goes on.
The book is well illustrated. I love the photo of the daughters of William Hilliam.
I feel this book has accomplished its aim in preserving a part of the local history of the Sunshine Coast. I enjoyed reading pioneer Matthew Carroll’s reminiscences in “Nambour’s Beginnings”. In it he wrote, “Too frequently ….. no written record was obtained from those persons whose lives and deeds should have formed the real stuff of history.” This book provides a peephole into the pioneering past and into the not-so-distant past. You will probably find a person or a place you once knew, between its covers. I recommend it as a great read. |