Rosewood History
Marburg History

From the Brisbane Courier (Qld), Saturday 6 May 1922, page 16

MARBURG DISTRICT.
HISTORY AND PROGRESS.
HOW IT WAS DEVELOPED, by “ONE OF THE PIONEERS.”

The beautiful district of Marburg is situated in the south-east of Queensland, about 34 miles from Brisbane. The township is very picturesque, being situated among hills, and built on the banks of the Black Snake Creek, a salt-water stream, which rises in the Tallegalla Hills, and after a northerly course of about 13 miles enters the Brisbane River at Fairney View. The scenery of the district is magnificent. There are three elevations that are very prominent. One is Mt. Marrow, an extinct volcano, standing out alone, and very interesting, because of its geological formation, and the other two are Two Tree Hill and “The Nobby,” the former being south-west, and the latter north-west, forming the extremities of a ridge about two miles from the township. All three points have an elevation of 800 to 900 feet above sea level.

The views obtainable from the crests of these hills are very fine, and give to the observer a radical view of 20 to 30 miles, all round to the distant horizon. The beautiful sunrises and sunsets often witnessed at dawn and evening respectively, together with the verdure of the hills and the singing of birds, make the place exceptionally attractive and the summit of Two Tree Hill would be an ideal place for an observatory. Another very picturesque portion of the district is the part traversed by the railway. One gets some very fine views there. Perhaps the most striking is the scenery between Kunkala, and Perry’s Nob railway stations, when just after leaving Kunkala station a broad open plain, dotted with houses, farms, and scrubs is suddenly revealed to the observer but for a minute, then he passes through a scrub containing thick under-growth and fine vegetation. Having passed through this scrub one gets a glimpse of the Perry’s Nob coal mine which is situated on the slopes of a hill near to the Perry’s Nob railway station.

The soil of the distinct is very varied. It is of a porous nature and has a chocolate colour. A great portion of the land is scrub soil, very rich in humus, and consequently very productive. Not only is it rich in humus but it is believed to be rich in minerals. Some very fine samples of coal have been discovered and also indications of oil and specimens of aluminium, and generally there is every prospect of this district becoming a busy mining centre.

The chief pursuits followed are dairy farming, agriculture and pig-rearing. The climate is very mild and suitable, and be-cause of this many varied crops are grown, such as maize, lucerne, potatoes, sugar cane, and cereals. The district was first settled by Europeans between the years 1870 to 1871, Messrs. Ned Key, W. Jemmerson, E. Moriarty, L. Ullrich, and W. Hohnke being the first settlers. The greater part of the district was densely timbered, but at was cleared as time went on, while much of the remainder was open country thickly clothed with various kinds of forest grasses.

Originally this district was a part of the “Tarampa” sheep station, and Mr. Robert Owens and his wife, Sarah, were shepherding a flock of sheep here. Thus it was through Sarah Owens who was known as “Sally” that the district was known as “Sally Owens’ Plains” After the New Homestead or Free Settlers Act was passed in 1868, the first small settlers began to make their appearance. After its population increased the name was then changed to “Rosewood Scrub,” which name it was called on account of the timber which grew in its scrubs so closely resembling rosewood, in that it was very easy to split. As the land became cleared, and the population kept on steadily increasing, the name was changed to Marburg in about the year 1878, after the Marburg in Saxony, which it somewhat resembled in geographical features. It kept this name tor about 39 years, until it was changed in 1917 on account of the European War. It was named Townshend, after General Townshend, but has recently been renamed Marburg, which it is now called.

PROGRESS OF DISTRICT.
The district has made wonderful progress since its pioneering days. Scrubs and forests were cleared and land was opened up both for settlement and for agricultural purposes. A school and a post office were erected, the former being called ‘Frederich School” by the late Mr. George Thorne, when he was Premier. A little township, or rather a village, soon sprung up, and kept on increasing in size and population till now we have about 800 inhabitants in the district. At times things did not seem too promising, and it looked us if our district would go backwards The sugar mill, while at Marburg, was a great help to the district. At first it was a saw mill, owned by Mr. T. L. Smith. Later it was remodelled into a sugar mill, and became the property of Mr. W. A. Gibson, but about four years ago the sugar mill was sold and removed from Marburg, and that industry has greatly suffered. The sugar cane now grown in the district is sent by rail to Nambour sugar mill.

Another interesting change from the pioneering days is that of transport. In the early days the only means of comunication was by road. The first roads were from Tarampa, through Glenmorganvale, to Marburg, and from Marburg, through Malabar, around the southern side of Mt. Marrow, onwards through Thagoona, and thence to Ipswich. A few years later some 16 farmers co-operated in making a road from Marburg to Walloon. At first it was constructed as far as the place where the Haigslea School now stands, and then as far a the Walloon Lutheran Church. Some years later it was made a public road, and the mail was brought out on horseback from Walloon. Subsequently that road was made a coach route, and the mail is still brougt out from Walloon. Mr. J. L. Frederich was then in charge of the post office, and it was not long before a telephone line was erected. Since then the post office, which at one time was a room in the school house, has been removed to the centre of the township, and is at present situated in Queen-street, in a part of Mr W. H. Dance’s store building, which was elected in 1914, after Mr. Fredericks store was burnt down. The town has also been unfortunate in the loss of the butter factory, which was destroyed by fire in 1920. This has inconvenienced the farmers in that they have to send their cream to the butter factory at Booval, or to Kingston butter factory. The town has been fortunate, however, in that Messrs Bielefeld Bros, towards the latter end of 1921, erected a large and up to-date store.

In the year 1911 a railway line was built from Rosewood to Marburg, which greatly improved the modes of communication, and brought Marburg more in touch with the large towns. Prior to the construction of the railway all the goods had to be taken to Walloon in waggons and drays and then sent on by rail. Produce from the land forms the principal commerce.

During the hard pioneering days the education of the children was not neglected. A small provisional school was erected, and as the attendance increased it was enlarged and became a State School.

It has been ever increasing and in 1920 it became a State Rural School, to which pupils from all parts of the surrounding districts come to receive tuition in the vocational subjects, which consist of domestic science, dressmaking, millinery, preserving fruits, woodwork, leather work, sheet metal work, and others. A new school has been erected in the district, of which it may well be proud.

About 14 years ago a Progress Association was organised. This association met in the old School of Arts, which has since been removed, and discussed matters concerning the progress of the district. It was later suggested to hold a Marburg show, but as the means ft communication to Marburg was only by road the idea was held over until a railway was built to Marburg. It was during this period of waiting for the construction of the railway that the Progress Association was at a standstill. Since then (about 12 years ago) it formed up again, but this time it called itself the Marburg Agricultural and Industrial Association, which it is still called. Land was purchased by this new association, cleared by means of “working bees,” and the necessary buildings erected. These comprise a show hall and office, luncheon booths, produce sheds, poultry pens, horse stables, cattle stalls, and other minor buildings. The association has continued improving the land, which is well situated and contains a suitable watering place for the stock, and it has also improved upon the buildings. When this agricultural society was formed, Mr. A. L. Friederich was appointed president, and since then the office of president has been filled by various presidents, Mr. H. Heiner being the present president of the association Mr F. H Bielefeld was appointed secretary at the commencement of the association and he still holds that position. The association is in a sound financial position, and it is now proposing an enlargement on the show hall. The show is held annually and it is a success in fact the Marburg show now ranks as one of the foremost country shows. The show hall is also used by the public for all local entertainments and public meetings Generally speaking, the district is flourishing, and gives promise of a splendid future.