Centre Buildings & Displays

Information on the buildings & displays.

Methodist Church

Originally from Main St, Pialba, now a dedicated non-denominational Church for Church Services, Weddings etc.
Catholic Latin MASS held in Church monthly.
On wall, Memorial for Charles Edward HART Private SN 2443 died of wounds in France 9 June 1917 aged 25.
Born at Nikenbah

Vestry

Originally attached to rear of the Church.
Now houses the MAHENO Collection, largest permanent Maheno display. Woody Island Lighthouse light. Urangan Pier Model. Commandoes and the “KRAIT”, the World War 2 boat used by Commandoes to sink 30,000 ton of ships in Singapore Harbour.
Video of making the new Maheno bell, by Olds Engineering Maryborough. Whale bones from beaching Dundowran Beach.

Scout Building 1939

WW11 Maryborough airport.
Our audio/visual displays with the original 4QB radio masts lights, history of photographs,
musical instruments and telephones. Note manual telephone Switchboard.
1st Mobile phones and original Ericsson Swedish telephones from 1900.

Goodwood Railway Station 1887

From outside Childers, shows a working railway station up to c.1970s. Back wall, on right, large RARE PHOTOGRAPH of Maryborough Railway Yards from 1880s. On ramp see male separate toilet as the women have a room on the station platform. Stove in corner came from Nikenbah station.

Village Green

Many events use the Village Green including “Carols in the Village” and School groups games

The Iris Beckman Building

Dedicated to ladies’ fashions, wedding dresses 1911 to 1960 hand crafts and jewellery dating back to the 1800’s. Note the FOX FURS and SEAL SKIN COAT.
Named after original member Mrs Iris Beckman. Opened 2013 by Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley A.C.

Radish

1960 up to 1985 used to transport workers to the fuel depot at the end of the pier.
It stopped running when the fuel was brought in by trucks

Dundowran School

Original Dundowran School opened 1891. One of 7 rural district one teacher schools. In use until closure in 1960. Schooled the children of local farmers, before bus services were established to bring the children into the larger Hervey Bay Schools. On the Register of the Australian National Museum of Education in Canberra.

Stables

Light sulky. Hearse built 1880 in Brisbane used in Hervey Bay, Milk Wagon owned by Lewis Messer supplied milk throughout Hervey Bay. Heavy Cart.
Timber Display.
Satinay Tree from Fraser Island logging 1860 to 1991 when it ceased.
Chainsaw and wheelwright display. Harness and saddles. Wheelright Display

Rope Displays

Over 100-year-old rope making machine including original rope from the 1988 replica “ENDEAVOUR”.
Sextant, compass and log displays. Knot boards. Standing rigging displays.
Ropemaking demonstrations on Sundays. Make your own souvenir rope to keep for free.

Cane Machinery Shed

Gas BBQS, table & chairs.Sugar cane display, Cane started in The Bay in 1883.
Kanakas were brought in from South Pacific Islands to work on the Farms

1925 Garage

Garage with petrol pumps,Beach Buggy from Fraser Island.Look for all the bits from other vehicles,
WWII Blitz 1942, A reproduction of a 1903 Oldsmobile
Includes the Nita ROSSLYN bicycle from 1934 that travelled the World with the singer.
Bike has travelled over 200,000kms. Note original GAS LIGHT on bike.