Guest contributor: Dayboro District Historical Society
President Carmel Bond
This year marks 150 years since the small Queensland township of Dayboro was established as a settlement. Situated in the Moreton Bay Regional Council local government area, Dayboro is a short drive north-west of Brisbane and a popular destination because of its close proximity to the hinterland and the D’Aguilar Ranges nearby.
Originally named Hamilton, then Terrors Creek because of its close proximity to the creek of the same name, the area was renamed ‘Dayboro’ in 1917 – some 50 years after settlement, in honour of William Henry Day, Clerk of Petty Sessions and later Police Magistrate in Brisbane, who leased Portion 1, Parish of Samsonvale in 1867. This portion of land represented a large area making up the majority of the township as it is today. Read more about William Day and the selection of Terrors Paddock. Source: Dayboro District Historical Society.
Looking west across Terrors Creek bridge, 1901, Image pin2207 Collection of Strathpine Library, Moreton Bay Regional Council.
The small creamery building built in 1896/97 can be seen alongside the road and close to the western bank of Terrors Creek. Milk was brought in by the local dairy farmers to the creamery where the cream was separated and carted to Samsonvale which was then processed into butter at the Samsonvale Butter Factory. The original building exists today although it is doubled in size and a local café in 2017.
Pioneers of the Upper North Pine, 14 September 1903. Image number: pin2249. Item is held by Strathpine Library Moreton Bay Region Libraries
This group photo was published in the Moreton Mail on 25 September 1903, on the occasion of the official opening of the Silverwood Butter Factory, Terrors Creek (Dayboro). Photographer J. Patching. Those attending include:
Back row: R. C. Clay, Aaron Adsett, J. H. Baker, James Pritchard, John Adams, F. Raddatz, Joseph Fisher, W. Nugent, Frank Sellin, Henry Easlea, August Kuhn, Thomas Strain and Carl Ihm.
Middle row: Mrs. R. Brockhurst, Moses Stubbins, Frank Williams, R. Brockhurst (obscured), Mrs. F. Williams, Mrs. C. Hay, C. Hay, Mrs. W. Gordon, W. G. Skerman, S. Heathwood, Mrs. W. G. Skerman, Andrew Gordon, Mrs. A. Gordon, R. Raymont, Miss Raymont, Ludwig Lindenberg, Mrs. J. Lacey, J. Anderson, H. Raaen and E. Page.
Seated front row: W. Gordon, J. Lacey and C. T. Williams.
Dated c. 1909, it is possible to view the Silverwood Butter Factory which was constructed in Terrors Creek in 1903. It was the large building in the left foreground with two chimneys visible on the roof.
On May 28 2017, the residents of Dayboro and surrounding district invited visitors, families and friends to join in the annual Dayboro Day Festival and Antiques & Collectibles Fair and to celebrate 150 years of settlement of Dayboro township. Judging by the vast number of people photographed Dayboro was a popular destination as people took to the sunny streets of the little township to be part of the celebrations and activities. Every business, community group, school and organisation with links to Dayboro took part in the events planned on the day.
People line the main street of Dayboro to be part of the 26th Dayboro Day Festival and 150 year celebration event. Photography by Powershots, 28 May 2017.
The hard working members of the Dayboro Day Festival sub-committee and Dayboro & District Progress Association Inc were thrilled with the event and with the numbers who came along to celebrate Dayboro’s heritage, past and present. It was a magnificent celebration. Below are several more images shared on the group’s Facebook page indicating the success and the spirit of the day.
Members of Dayboro District Historical Society display the group’s banner and links to the history of Dayboro’s past and contemporary history. Photography by Powershots, 28 May 2017.
Visitors and residents were encouraged to dress in period costume and enjoy a day out in Dayboro. Photography by Powershots, 28 May 2017.
Local blacksmith, David Bradley demonstrates the blacksmithy skill he still practices today at his business, Dragonfly Forge. Photography by Powershots, 28 May 2017.
The small publication – Dayboro Heritage Trail provides a comprehensive outline of the settlement, the people and the businesses that contributed to the establishment of this community. Involving extensive collaboration with the Dayboro District Historical Society, it can be accessed and downloaded from the Moreton Bay Regional Council website for free.
If you are interested in learning more about Dayboro and its history discover the online sources available. They include:
Dayboro District Historical Society incorporating the Dayboro Information Centre
Dayboro celebrates 150 years 1867 – 2017 – Dayboro Historical Society Photo of the Week collection
Dayboro Historical Gallery – an image gallery recording contemporary and past history of Dayboro the settlement.
Glimpses of country life Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 – 1938) 2 Sep 1936 – Sources on National Library of Australia’s Trove digitised newspaper collections
For more information about Dayboro contact the Dayboro District Historical Society and Moreton Bay Regional Council Libraries and Local Studies Unit.
Anne Scheu – Queensland Memory, State Library of Queensland