Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum

Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum In 2005, John and Else Meyers turned a vision into reality, founding our museum to preserve Australia’s military heritage.

Their passion and dedication laid the foundation for the stories we proudly share today.

⚓ Merchant Navy Day | 3 September When we think about wartime service, we often picture soldiers, sailors and airmen. Bu...
03/09/2026

⚓ Merchant Navy Day | 3 September

When we think about wartime service, we often picture soldiers, sailors and airmen. But who transported the troops, food, am******on, fuel and equipment that kept Allied forces supplied?

The Merchant Navy. 🚢

Merchant seamen played a vital role throughout both World Wars, sailing through some of the most dangerous waters of the conflict under constant threat from enemy submarines, aircraft, surface vessels and mines. 🌊

And there is a Maryborough connection.

Norman Byrne, born in Maryborough in 1900, served with the Merchant Navy during WWII. He died in New Guinea in February 1945 and is buried at Lae War Cemetery.

His story is a reminder that wartime service took many forms. Thousands of civilian seamen faced extraordinary dangers to keep Allied forces and communities supplied.

Today, we remember Norman and the many Australian and Allied merchant seamen whose courage and service helped sustain the war effort.

Battle for Australia Day | 2 September On the first Wednesday of September, we commemorate the Battle for Australia Day,...
01/09/2026

Battle for Australia Day | 2 September

On the first Wednesday of September, we commemorate the Battle for Australia Day, remembering those who served on Australia's home front and in the crucial battles to Australia's north during WWII.

In 1942, Japanese forces were advancing through the Pacific, Darwin had been bombed, and Australian forces were fighting in Kokoda and Milne Bay to halt the advance. 🌏

The war was also being felt at home on the Fraser Coast. Our people and industries played an important part in Australia's wartime effort, with men and women serving at home and overseas.

⚓ Maryborough's contribution can be seen in the ships built at Walkers Ltd, which constructed vessels for the Royal Australian Navy. One of them was HMAS Maryborough, a Bathurst-class minesweeper launched in 1940 and commissioned in Maryborough on 12 June 1941. She went on to serve throughout the Second World War

Today, we honour all those who served at sea, on the mainland and islands, and in the skies, as well as those on the home front who supported Australia's war effort. 🕊️

Do you have a Fraser Coast family story from WWII? We'd love to hear it.

📍 Discover more stories of local service and sacrifice at the Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum.

🏛️ Step Inside the Gallipoli Room 🏛️One of the most moving experiences at the Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum is ...
30/08/2026

🏛️ Step Inside the Gallipoli Room 🏛️

One of the most moving experiences at the Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum is our Gallipoli Room - a place where history comes to life through remarkable artefacts and the personal stories of those who served.

Home to one of the world's most significant collections of Gallipoli medals, the room features medals awarded for gallantry, displays honouring those who lost their lives, and rare memorabilia that tells the human stories behind the Gallipoli campaign.

Among the highlights are:

🎖️ A unique collection of Gallipoli medals
🪖 A beautifully carved bust of Major Duncan Chapman, the first Australian soldier ashore at Anzac Cove, created by local craftsman Kevin Banting.

Every artefact has a story, and every visit offers a chance to better understand the courage, sacrifice and resilience of the Anzacs.

📍 We invite you to visit the Gallipoli Room and discover why it is one of the museum's most treasured displays.

https://www.maryboroughmuseum.org/gallipoli.html

🍫 Did You Know? This Chocolate Is More Than 120 Years Old! One of the fascinating items in our Boer War display is a tin...
26/08/2026

🍫 Did You Know? This Chocolate Is More Than 120 Years Old!

One of the fascinating items in our Boer War display is a tin of chocolate gifted by Queen Victoria to British and Colonial troops serving during the Second Boer War in 1900. 👑

There were three different suppliers of chocolate, and three tin designs.

Remarkably, one of the tins on display at our museum still contains its original, unopened chocolate - preserved for more than 120 years. 📜

It's a rare and tangible reminder of the people who served during the Boer War and the efforts made to boost morale during a difficult campaign.

🏛️ Visit the museum to explore our Boer War collection and discover the incredible stories behind artefacts like this.

https://www.maryboroughmuseum.org/boer.html

One of the standout exhibits at the Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum is our beautifully restored Ferret Scout Car ...
23/08/2026

One of the standout exhibits at the Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum is our beautifully restored Ferret Scout Car Mark 2/3 - recognised as the best-conditioned example of a Ferret Scout Car in Australia. 🏛️

Developed for the British Army in the late 1940s and produced throughout the 1950s, the Ferret was built for light reconnaissance missions, combining speed, agility and armour. The Australian Army also operated these iconic vehicles until the 1960s before they were sold at public auction in the early 1970s.

Despite weighing more than 4 tonnes in combat, the Ferret could reach speeds of up to 100 km an hour and was crewed by just two soldiers. It became a trusted reconnaissance vehicle in military service around the world. 🌍

The Ferret served in more than 36 countries, making it one of the most successful military scout vehicles of its time.

📍 Next time you visit the museum, be sure to stop by and see this incredible piece of military engineering up close.

📚🏛️ Inspiring the Next Generation of History Lovers Recently we had the pleasure of welcoming the Year 5 and 6 students ...
20/08/2026

📚🏛️ Inspiring the Next Generation of History Lovers

Recently we had the pleasure of welcoming the Year 5 and 6 students from Maryborough Central State School for a morning of local history, discovery and exploration.

Their adventure began on our Gallipoli to Armistice Walk, where they learned about former Central State School student Major Duncan Chapman, the first Australian ashore at Gallipoli. Along the way, they explored the Gallipoli to Armistice Memorial, the Mary River waterfront, Maryborough's historic wharves, the former municipal baths, the South Sea Islander Memorial, and the Bond Store.

Their visit concluded at the museum, where they stopped at the mural honouring Frank Lawrence, Maryborough's most decorated serviceman, before discovering the incredible artefacts and personal stories that preserve our region's rich military heritage. 🎖️

It was wonderful to see so many enthusiastic young learners engaging with the Fraser Coast’s remarkable history, asking thoughtful questions and discovering the stories that have helped shape our community.

❤️ Thank you to the students and teachers from Maryborough Central State School for visiting. We hope to welcome many of you back again with your families!

🕊️ Vietnam Veterans' Day 🕊️ Today, we pause to honour the courage, sacrifice and service of all Australians who served d...
17/08/2026

🕊️ Vietnam Veterans' Day 🕊️

Today, we pause to honour the courage, sacrifice and service of all Australians who served during the Vietnam War, and to commemorate the Battle of Long Tan, fought on 18 August 1966.

On that day, 108 soldiers of D Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) faced an estimated force of more than 2,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops in a fierce battle fought amid torrential rain in a rubber plantation near Long Tan, South Vietnam. Against overwhelming odds, the Australians held their ground until reinforcements arrived, in one of the most significant battles involving Australian forces during the Vietnam War.

For many Australians, including families here in Maryborough and across the Fraser Coast, the Vietnam War remains a deeply personal chapter in our history. The service and sacrifice of local veterans form an important part of our community's story.

Today, we remember all who served in Vietnam, those who never returned, and the veterans who came home carrying the legacy of their service. We especially remember Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith, who commanded D Company during the battle and fellow Long Tan veteran Thomas Henry "Buddy" Lea who both later made the Fraser Coast their home. 🎖️

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this post contains the name and image of a person who has...
12/08/2026

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this post contains the name and image of a person who has passed away.

As we approach the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, we remember another remarkable veteran with strong ties to the Fraser Coast – Thomas Henry "Buddy" Lea.

During the Battle of Long Tan on 18 August 1966, Buddy repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to rescue Sergeant Paddy Todd, sustaining three gunshot wounds in the process. His extraordinary courage and selfless actions became part of one of Australia's most remarkable battlefield stories. 🎖️

Buddy went on to serve 35 years in the Australian Army before retiring to Hervey Bay, where he became a passionate advocate for veterans and a familiar face at commemorative events across the Fraser Coast.

Today, Buddy's legacy lives on locally through the Long Tan mural at Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum, where he is depicted alongside Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith, recognising their enduring connection to our region. 🏛️

At the Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum, we are proud to help preserve and share the stories of veterans like Buddy Lea, ensuring their courage and service continue to inspire future generations.

🌿 A great morning out — and a reason to come back!We were delighted to welcome a group of residents from Latitude25 Life...
12/08/2026

🌿 A great morning out — and a reason to come back!

We were delighted to welcome a group of residents from Latitude25 Lifestyle Village at Hervey Bay to the Maryborough Wharf Street Precinct.

They enjoyed exploring some of Maryborough’s heritage attractions, a visit to the Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum, and, of course, a leisurely coffee along the way.

The feedback from their museum visit was so positive that the group is already looking at returning in the new year for a curated guided walk through the Gallipoli to Armistice Memorial in Queens Park.

And why not make a day of it?

For your next social club or lifestyle village outing, we can arrange a guided visit to the Gallipoli to Armistice Memorial followed by a group visit to the Museum. Start at the very civilised hour of 10.00 am, enjoy the history and stories, and then finish with lunch in the Wharf Street precinct.

Choose from dining in a heritage-listed pub, perhaps with a craft b**r, or enjoy lunch overlooking the Mary River.

📞 Give the Museum a call and ask for Greig or Tony to start planning your group visit.

Thanks for visiting us Fat Mum Slim😀. We loved having you explore the museum and discover a little piece of Maryborough’...
11/08/2026

Thanks for visiting us Fat Mum Slim😀. We loved having you explore the museum and discover a little piece of Maryborough’s history with us. We hope you enjoyed your visit! 💙

Address

106 Wharf Street
Maryborough, QLD
4650

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm
Saturday 9am - 2pm
Sunday 9am - 2pm

Telephone

+61741235900

Website

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