Burdekin History

A Chronological History of the Burdekin

~~ Early Settlement

1839

Burdekin River discovered by Captain Wickham in H.M.S. Beagle, first called the Wickham River, changed to Burdekin by Leichhardt.

1846

James Morrill was one of 14 crew members shipwrecked on the Great Barrier Reef on board the barque, the Peruvian. Cast ashore at Cleveland Bay 42 days after the wreck, he was the first European to inhabit the area, living with the Bindal people (a local Aboriginal tribe) for 17 years.

1859

Lower Burdekin visited by Captain Sinclair and James Gordon from Bowen in the year of separation.

1861

Great Land Grab occurred for land in the area north of Bowen. Jarvisfield Station was taken up by Robert Towns and Alexander Stewart, of Sydney, for the running of stock. Jarvisfield was much larger than that known by that name at the present time.

1864

Burdekin's most disastrous flood. The schooner "Three Friends" was carried down the river on to land nearby, later to be refloated after a trench had been dug and the river rose again.

1877

A.C MacMillan took up country on the Burdekin for the purpose of raising stock; one of the earliest settlers.

1878

Burdekin Delta Sugar Co. formed by R.W. Graham and Macmillan.

1880

John Spiller founder of the sugar industry in Mackay and Henry Brandon started Pioneer Estates, selling out in 1882 to Drysdale Brothers.

1881

Township of Ayr surveyed by Mr C. Lymburner and, was gazetted in 1882. Brandon gazetted soon after. It was named by Premier of Queensland, Sir Thomas McIllwraith, after his Scottish birthplace.

First shop erected by Benjamin Bros.

1882

Township of Clare officially named Clare after being known by many other names such as "Mulgrave", "Burdekin Crossing" or "Hamilton's Crossing" in earlier years.

Pioneer Hotel opened in Brandon, first hotel in the area. It was blown down 21 years later by Cyclone Leonta and rebuilt into houses.

First town blocks sold in Brandon.

Kalamia opened by Charles and John Young.

1883

First Post Office was opened in Queen Street, Ayr followed by Police Station and Court House.

Airdmillan Sugar Mill began crushing the first sugar cane.

1884

Seaforth, Kalamia and Pioneer Mills starts crushing sugar cane.

1885

Irrigation of sugar cane lands introduced by George Russell Drysdale.

1886

First school established in Ayr.

1888

Queen's Hotel opened on Queen Street. It became the centre of district life.

Ayr Divisional Board inaugurated as first local authority with Charles Young as Chairman. Later became a Shire Council in 1903.

1897

First newspaper published in the district called "The Ayr Chronicle". The current Burdekin community newspaper is called "The Advocate", printed twice a week on Wednesday and Friday.

1898

Amalgamation of Seaforth and Kalamia mills effected by John Drysdale, then manager of Kalamia.

1899

Ayr Tramway Joint Board formed by Townsville, Thuringowa and Ayr local authorities under the chairmanship of Joseph Hodel.

1901

Ayr linked with Townsville by rail, the 44 miles from Stewart's creek, or Ayr Junction, being laid in 10 months.

Population of the district was about 1500 and the town was 338.

1903

"Cyclone Leonta" practically demolished the township of Ayr and Brandon, the towns were rebuilt.

1906

The Delta Ironworks, formerly known as the A.J.Green Engineers, Metal Founders and Boilermakers, which has been a big asset to the township and district, was established by Mr A.J. Green.

1909

Population of the Shire was 2,300 and the township of Ayr was approximately 700.

1910

The Delta Theatre officially opened with a bachelor's ball. Next evening, The Amateur Theatrical Company assisted by the Australian Natives Association from Townsville staged the military comedy drama "All for Gold".

1911

The name for the township of "Home Hill" was adopted. It was first called "Inkerman".

1912

Home Hill settlement had begun with news that a mill would be erected.

1913

The first railway bridge over the Burdekin river officially opened and was known as Inkerman Bridge. Ayr and Bowen now linked by rail.

1914

Inkerman mill, erected by John Drysdale on the southern bank of the Burdekin crushed for the first time.

1915

Power House was constructed in Ayr, one of the first country towns to be electrically lighted.

1917

Lower Burdekin District Hospital opened.

1922

Inkerman irrigation Scheme opened by Premier, Mr E.G. Theodore.

1923

First edition of Home Hill newspaper "The Observer" was printed. The Observer is printed weekly on a Thursday.

1928

Death of John Drysdale, memorial clock in his honour unveiled in 1930.

1929

The streets of Brandon were illuminated for the first time by 5 or 6 street lights.