Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum

30/05/2026

Well, it seems that our Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum is "internationally acclaimed". 😀 Thanks Ronei and Anja for the great feedback. We hope you enjoy finding your peace in this beautiful part of the world.

Flusher Ushers were highly amused when Ronei Menezes from Brazil – now a happy resident at Toogoom – explained why he changed the spelling of his name in Australia.
Ronei, a special school teacher aide, popped in to check out the Cistern Chapel with his partner Anja Schwalenberg from Germany. The pair met in Sydney, lived in Brisbane for three years and moved to Toogoom in December in search of a peaceful life.
They love their new home and found the Cistern Chapel as they ventured out on their one of their explorations of the Heritage City. “Very, very beautiful,” said Ronei. “Gorgeous,” sighed smiling Anja, who is taking time out from her career as a special needs teacher.
Ronei said they had been “really impressed” when they discovered the Maryborough military museum in the city. “That’s something everyone should see when they come here.”
And the name change? He laughed as he explained the real spelling of his Portuguese name was Honei, with the “H” pronounced as an “R” in most parts of Brazil.
Not in Australia. “It took me three months to realise why everyone was laughing at my name in Australia. They were calling me ‘Horny’. I changed it.”
Also signing the visitors book was a tourist from the town of Gallipoli in Turkey. “The best toilet ever,” wrote Mert Akdogan.

26/05/2026

24/05/2026

Step back in time and discover the stories that built our beautiful heritage city!

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning, Rotary Events volunteers conduct FREE guided Heritage Walks through the historic heart of Maryborough. Starting from the magnificent Town Hall and Visitor Information Centre, these relaxed walks take you on a journey through some of Maryborough’s most iconic landmarks, buildings and hidden stories. You'll also pass the J.E. Brown warehouse on Wharf St, which houses the most acclaimed military museum in Australia, outside of the Australian War Memorial. (Thanks for that accolade Dr. Brendan Nelson (former Director of the AWM))

Whether you’re visiting the Fraser Coast or you’ve lived here all your life, you’ll gain a whole new appreciation for the rich history and character of our city. It’s also a fantastic way for new residents to get to know Maryborough and understand why locals are so proud and passionate about this special place.

🚶 Slow paced and easy walking
⏰ Approximately 1 to 1½ hours
📍 Meet at the front of the Visitor Information Centre at the Town Hall
🕘 Be there before 9am
💲 Completely FREE
📋 No bookings required — just turn up!

A huge thank you to the wonderful Rotary Events volunteers who generously give their time to share the stories of Maryborough with locals and visitors alike.

Come along and see Maryborough through new eyes!

19/05/2026

The mighty Avro Lancaster became one of the most important aircraft of World War II, carrying brave young crews deep into occupied Europe on dangerous night bombing raids. Its role in weakening N**i Germany came at a terrible cost, with thousands of airmen never returning home.

Among those courageous aviators was Maryborough’s own Frank Lawrence, a highly decorated RAAF airman awarded both the Distinguished Flying Cross and Distinguished Flying Medal. Men like Frank Lawrence represented the courage, determination and sacrifice of a generation who served far from home in defence of freedom.

The unforgettable sound of a Lancaster’s four Merlin engines still echoes through history as a tribute to those who flew them.

For a fascinating modern story connected to the Lancaster and its wartime legacy, have a read of this recent BBC article:

Sir George Dowty designed the hydraulic landing gear for the World War II Lancaster bomber.

13/05/2026

The AHS Centaur was an Australian hospital ship torpedoed by a Japanese submarine on this day in 1943 east of Cape Moreton, North Stradbroke Island, resulting in 268 deaths out of 332 personnel. The vessel sank in under three minutes, a tragedy that became a major wartime rallying cry. The wreck was located in 2009 at a depth of over 2,000 meters. We have Grantlee Kieza's book on the Centaur and Ellen Savage, the brave nurse who survived, in our retail book store.

08/05/2026

We had the pleasure of welcoming a very special visitor to the Museum today. Brian, a spritely 88-year-old from Ferntree Gully in outer Melbourne, is currently enjoying a trip to the Wide Bay with his daughter (who had already discovered us a few weeks ago!).

As Brian approaches his 88th birthday, he carries with him a powerful personal connection to history. His father served on the Somme battlefields during World War I.

Unsurprisingly, Brian was drawn to our Gallipoli Room, which holds more genuine WW1 and Gallipoli gallantry awards and medal displays than anywhere else in the world. He spent over two hours immersed in the stories, studying, reflecting, and connecting with the men behind the medals, from John Monash to William Birdwood.

As a former technical school teacher in Victoria, Brian also shared his thoughts with us on education, past and present. It made for a truly enriching conversation.

Thank you for visiting, Brian. Your story is a reminder that history lives on through people, families, and the memories they carry.
Lest we forget.

06/05/2026

On this day, 7 May 1945, the guns began to fall silent across Europe.
In the early hours of the morning, Germany signed the unconditional surrender that would bring an end to the war in Europe. For millions, it marked the beginning of relief, reflection, and the long road to rebuilding lives and nations.
Today, we remember the courage, sacrifice, and endurance of all who served—on land, at sea, and in the air—as well as the civilians who bore the immense weight of war. We honour those who did not return, and we acknowledge the resilience of those who did.
Victory in Europe did not come without cost. As we reflect on this moment in history, we are reminded not only of triumph but of the profound responsibility to preserve peace.
Lest we forget.

02/05/2026

Today we were honoured to welcome Jan and Chantal from Belgium, who are enjoying their third visit to Australia.

During their time with us, they explored our Museum and were truly amazed by the depth and significance of the exhibits. Like many visitors, they were especially drawn to the powerful personal stories behind the collections — stories that bring Australia’s military history to life.

Jan was particularly impressed with our Gallipoli Room, which features the largest collection of genuine World War I gallantry awards in the world — a display that continues to leave a lasting impression on visitors from across the globe.

In what was a very special moment for our volunteers, Jan shared that his visit to the Museum was the highlight of his entire trip to Australia.

Even more exciting, we are looking forward to welcoming Jan back to Maryborough in the future, when he plans to spend six months volunteering here at the Museum — something we are incredibly proud to be part of. (Jan, this is tongue in cheek, but we can only hope!)

Thank you for visiting us, Jan and Chantal. Safe travels, and we look forward to seeing you again soon! 😊

24/04/2026

Take a look inside the newly renovated Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum.

These images capture just a glimpse of what’s been achieved—refreshed spaces, enhanced displays, and a renewed experience for every visitor who walks through our doors.

Behind every cabinet, every medal, and every story is the work of dedicated volunteers who have carefully brought this transformation to life. What hasn’t changed is what matters most—our commitment to preserving and sharing the stories of courage, service, and sacrifice.

📸 Scroll through and see the transformation for yourself.

Better still… come and experience it in person. We are open 9.00am - 3.00pm each weekday, and 9.00am - 2.00pm on Saturday and Sunday. (Note: The last public admission is one hour before closing time.)

23/01/2026

Our military nurses were often not given the recognition they deserved for their gallant efforts. Maryborough's cenotaph is unique in Australia. Apart from honouring the soldiers, airmen and sailors, our city reserved a place on our cenotaph for the contribution made by nurses.
https://placesofpride.awm.gov.au/sites/default/files/images/memorials/3023-5ee69c09abc4fa9aab8f0ce0cb5fb571.JPG
https://placesofpride.awm.gov.au/sites/default/files/images/memorials/3020-a188503a296477baf0c153bf604f2181.JPG