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| Children at Owanyilla with a canoe made from corrigated iron. Source: Erbacher Collection Library Images |
Owanyilla is described as a "hamlet extending from the bank of the Mary to Gympie Road half way between Maryborough and Tiaro" (Kirby, 2011). According to the
Maryborough Chronicle for two years the place was inhabited by the native police under Lieutenants Freudenthal and Price. It began to develop as a village due to the Gympie gold rush in 1867. A hotel was built by Sir Nicholls and this was succeeded by Mr Skene and Mr Muir (
Maryborough Chronicle). There was a brewery perched above the river that produced Owanyilla Ale. Although Tiaro developed more quickly, there was a push to get services and recognition of Owanyilla as a village. The area was originally going to be called Coopers Plains. In 1868 a post office was set up at the Owanyilla Hotel/Inn and was later moved to the Owanyilla Railway Station in 1881 (Kirby, 2011). The timber, sugar and dairy industries were mainstays of the area with steamers at Owanyilla Wharf enabling transport. Wool, maize and cotton were also farmed. Other industry followed including a Blacksmith, a Butcher and a store. Sugar Mills including the Antigua Mill were established, and a Juice mill was established on Ferney. More information about Ferney can be found
here
A need for a school was found and a temporary school was held in a chapel (Kirby, 2011) In 1879 Owanyilla State School was established. Once Upon a Time in Owanyilla by Cythia Kirby details the history of this once thriving rural area and is found in the Libraries Local History Collection in Maryborough.
Did you know Owanyilla was once a small settlement?
Do you know where the name comes from?
References:
Kirby, C (2011) Once Upon a Time in Owanyilla
Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser 17th August, 1875 retrieved from
Trove on the 23rd of January, 2020.
Tags #sugar #dairy #owanyilla #localhistory #goldrush #aldridge #antigua #ferney #rimber
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