Ted Weber’s Legacy

Ted Weber attending Historypin sessions at the Maryborough Library.

The Fraser Coast Chronicle produced the Living History of the Fraser Coast Souvenir Edition in 2005. In this edition, Maryborough, Hervey Bay and Urangan State High School students interviewed locals. It was inspired by the local Rotary Clubs. One of those interviewed was a regular to the Maryborough Library – Ted Weber. Local History on the Fraser Coast was boosted by Ted who died on June 19, 2019 at the age of 86 (Maryborough Chronicle, 2019). Ted’s love was Australian Rugby League, but his interest in history has left a legacy. Ted was born in Maryborough at St Margaret’s private hospital on April 21, 1933 to Edward and Mary Weber. His great grandfather was German, and his father was a local farmer. His mother moved from Childers to Maryborough in the late 1920s to look after her grandmother. He attended Parke State School and Maryborough State High School (Maryborough Chronicle, 2005). Ted worked as a drill and welder at the sugar mills and for Walkers Ltd. He remembered earning one shilling and 6 pence ($1 per week) in 1948 (Maryborough Chronicle, 2005).

Ted Weber (right) with his brother Alan and sister Fay. Source: Fraser Coast Chronicle (2005).

Ted was a huge part of the Maryborough community and his contributions were recognised in 2007 with a Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to rugby league (Ricketts, 2019). His work as a Maryborough councillor and community worker saw the development of vocational education programs and support for a local history room in Maryborough Library. Ted had been researching the Chronicle and supported the purchase of a Microfilm reader for the room to research old editions. He also tried very hard to establish a sports museum but that dream never came to fruition. He understood the importance of local history to the community. Although Ted’s interest in rugby league history is well known and resulted in the publication of his book Hard Yards Rugby League Recollections Maryborough 1910-2010, he was also a keeper of family history including the story of the Charcoal Burning Industry of the early 1900s and the history of his grandmother who came from Wales.

A load of charcoal on the way the Maryborough customers - Walkers, Stuparts, Gasworks. Source: Weber Collection Image Gallery

Some other people included in this Living History of the Fraser Coast Souvenir Edition are:
Alby Keers - Started the Wide Bay Capricorn Building Society
Lynton Messer - retired farmer
Marjorie Craig-Gardiner - performer
Mildred Goldsmith - Ikebana expert
Elsie Whitaker - born on cane farm on the top of Ghost Hill 
Max Aberdeen - Walkers engineer assisted in construction of Diamantina minesweeper
Charles Lenthall - Show Society life member
Milton Nielson - Dundowran farmer
Naomi Moffat - Wilson Hart and Co stenographer
Herbert Keith Oliver - Maryborough deputy clerk
Cyril Tanner - youngest city Mayor at 28 in 1950 
 
References:
Fraser Coast Chronicle (2005) Living History of the Fraser Coast Souvenir Edition.
Fraser Coast Chronicle 24th June 2019 Coast Mourn Rugby League Legend Edward ‘Ted’ Weber retrieved on 5th May 2020. 
Ricketts, Steve 25th June 2019 Vale Ted Weber Qld Rugby League retrieved on 5th May 2020.

Tags #localhistory #rugbyleague #charcoalburning #tedweber #councillor