General News
24 June, 2024
Pascoe Panache — “Do it with style” — By Brian Lennen
From paddle boats to racing cars, the family were paragons of the community. In Maryborough’s infancy Pascoes were involved in a variety of enterprises. I will attempt to outline some of them. Involvement in the affairs of the town date back to...
From paddle boats to racing cars, the family were paragons of the community.
In Maryborough’s infancy Pascoes were involved in a variety of enterprises. I will attempt to outline some of them.
Involvement in the affairs of the town date back to the 1880s where their “patriarch” Jack served as a councillor. He believed in actions rather than words.
He proceeded John H. Pascoe and Jack Richard Pascoe who between them had over four decades of service. Jack served as mayor for three terms leaving an indelible mark on the city.
John Pascoe and his son bought the paddlesteamer Wendouree from Ballarat and carted it to the Goldfields Reservoir — it was intended to be used as a pleasure craft.
It was a handsome lightly built wooden craft 45 feet by nine feet, steam-powered with paddle wheels.
The venture was short lived as an outbreak of typhoid occurred and the source was identified as the reservoir.
It was declared as unfit for human consumption.
At the pre-Cairn Curran time, Maryborough’s water supply was a major concern.
Jay and Jim Pascoe took on the huge challenge of building the Calder Raceway. It was to become the epicentre of speedways.
Bob Jane sought by all means to acquire Calder. Jim steadfastly refused but upon his premature demise, Jim’s wife Jean assumed joint ownership with Jane.
The drive-in, an incredibly popular venue was also built by Jim and Jay and was run by the family for a generation until change in people’s lifestyle saw its demise.
It is now a housing estate.
Fred Pascoe (senior) and Len constructed the Railway Estate in Maryborough which involved housing for the railway workers. They did such a good job that the government commissioned them to building another 600 across the state.
Tragedy struck the family when Syd the talented sportsman and building foreman fell from a roof and suffered severe injuries.
Syd is well remembered for his baritone voice.
Bart Pascoe was a confidant of Reg Ansett (the boy from Inglewood) and worked his way up to pay master.
They ran Marty’s Cafe and the American lounge which were great meeting places for the locals. Changes in the licencing act brought down the curtain on such businesses.
Len Pascoe conducted a construction group together with the “affable” Peter Pascoe.
The town sports a multitude of their houses. Both were active members of the harness racing fraternity.
The dapper Len had a long association in Jack Moore and won a multitude of classics. Len was also a dashing punter responsible for many a nervous bookmaker.
Len and his wife, Gladys, always cut a dashing couple; and Peter is still a doyen of the club.
Len’s son Fred is one of the town’s best known characters.
Unfortunately a promising football career was curtailed with a severe knee injury which has plagued him all his life.
Despite this Fred had an outstanding cricket career for Colts Phelans and the association opening the batting against some formidable bowlers.
Fred played and managed the Country Week team for over 30 years.
At golf he is smooth as silk. Fred stepped down as Pennant Captain after 62 years this year.
Fred’s wife Margaret was a softball pitcher reaching state level for Victoria, and played a major role in women’s sport for over four decades.
Their granddaughter Sarah played cricket with the Melbourne club and travelled to England to play as a spin bowler.
Colleen (Peter’s wife) and their daughter Angela run Pascoe’s Hairdressing Salon in Alma Street.