New book details history of Maryborough’s mayors

A BOOK exploring the political lives and careers of Maryborough’s mayors has been published – and the author is no stranger to the pressures and responsibilities of the job.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour with a copy of Public Life: The Mayors of Maryborough. PHOTO: Supplied.

A history enthusiast himself, current Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour was inspired to research and write Public Life: The Mayors of Maryborough after being elected to Council.

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“I was inspired to research and write this book when looking up at their portraits in City Hall and realising we didn’t really know much about the earlier mayors,” Cr Seymour said.

The book details the political lives of the Heritage City’s 52 mayors following the formation of the Maryborough Council in 1861 until its amalgamation into the Fraser Coast Regional Council in 2008.

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“Each of these 52 different mayors served in their own unique style, with their own particular ambitious and priorities,” explained Cr Seymour.

He believes the history of Maryborough – as a city, a council and a community – provides inspiration for the future.

“We can learn a great deal from the challenges, conflicts and achievements of the past.

“Researching for this book and learning about my predecessors has helped me immensely in my role,” Cr Seymour said.

Public Life: The Mayors of Maryborough is available at the Visitor Information Centre at Maryborough City Hall and the Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre.

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Four quick facts from the book:

  • Of the 52 mayors, 51 were men.  The last mayor, Barb Hovard, was the only female mayor of Maryborough.
  • The fifth mayor, Robert Case, served for less than a fortnight in 1864.
  • The longest serving mayor was John Anderson, who served from 1970 to 1988.
  • There were two-father son dynasties. Charles Stewart McGhie Snr (the 25th mayor) and Charles Stewart McGhie Jnr (the 33rd mayor) and Richard Hyne (the 15th mayor) and Harry Hyne (the 35th mayor).

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2 thoughts

    1. Hi Carolann, thanks so much for your query.

      ‘Public Life: The Mayors of Maryborough’ is available at the Visitor Information Centre at Maryborough City Hall and the Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre.

      Hope this helps.
      Shaun

      Reply

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