Brooweena - a fascinating glimpse of the past.

War Memorial Bridge Source: Queensland Heritage Register

Brooweena is a rural town in the Fraser Coast Region that has a rich history. One of the special sites in Brooweena is the Queensland Heritage Listed War Memorial Bridge. Local clergyman Rev Hardingham and Mrs A Brown (mother of fallen son) officially opened the bridge on the 21st May, 1921.  It honours nine local men who died in the First World War (Queensland Heritage Register) .

War Memorial Bridge Source: Queensland Heritage Register

War Memorial Bridge Source: Queensland Heritage Register

A large part of the Wongi State Forest and Wongi National Park are part of Brooweena. Wongi Waterholes, located in these parks, were used by Aboriginal people travelling from Mount Bauple to Urangan and Fraser Island  (Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing, 2013). 

The area was first settled by Europeans around 1849. The railway line went through around 1889 and this resulted in expansion of the area. The Maryborough Chronicle details difficulties regarding this line. Since 1860, the Wongi area has had significant connections with the timber harvesting industry. According to Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing, 2013 "the old Maryborough-Gayndah, Golden Fleece and Convict roads run through the (National) park and were major carriageways for the transport of produce to the port of Maryborough. Campsites and small settlements were built along the roads".

Other interesting heritage aspects of Wongi area include

• the remains of an old Cobb and Co. coach road
• Yellow Waterhole Forestry Campsite
• Billygoat Mountain fire cabin site
• Brooweena Forest Station site

The history of this area can be discovered at The Brooweena Historical Village and Museum. The museum houses memorabilia, equipment, musical instruments and aboriginal rock carvings in 12 heritage buildings located on Smith Crescent. It is open on the second and fourth Sunday of the month from 10am – 3pm.

The Butchulla People are the Traditional Custodians/Owners of the Land, and their continued connection to the land on which we walk, work and live is acknowledged. Fraser Coast Libraries acknowledges and pays respects to the Elders past, present and emerging.

tags #Brooweena  #Wongi #timber #harvesting #memorial #WorldWar1 #waterholes

References
Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing, 2013 Wongi National Park Management Statement  retrieved 3rd March, 2020.

Maryborough Chronicle 13th March, 1890, Brooweena retrieved from Trove 3rd March, 2020.

Queensland War Memorial Bridge Queensland Heritage Register retrieved  3rd March, 2020.