General News
15 August, 2025
TRAGIC AND DESTRUCTIVE END TO 1960 — “Town shows its indomitable spirit!” with Brian Lennen
Local Brian Lennen recalls how community rallied following destructive 1960 storm.
After a prolonged hot spell, no one was prepared for a “tornado-like” storm which hit Maryborough.
It was the town’s worst storm in recorded history — 324 points of rain in 20 minutes.
Huge trees were uprooted and roofs were blown about like sheets of paper.
Flash floods and debris inundated the town.
Tragically, a 16-year-old girl was killed who was attending with her family (sideshow operators) at the Highland Gathering.
She was crushed by a tree when trying to rescue her younger brother.
Houses had their chimneys blown down, sheds and outhouses disappeared.
Power and telephone lines were brought down and the town had no means of communication — totally blacked out.
Princes Park was in preparation for the centenary Highland Gathering.
The oval was a lake. The side show area, a feature of the Gathering, was badly hit but rallied to provide its services.
All this happened on New Year’s Eve 1960.
Many stories are told of people who had lucky escapes and the injury toll was remarkably low.
At one stage over 200 people sought shelter in the public toilets.
Fortunately the town’s sewerage was intact (it was recently installed) avoiding possible contamination of the water supply.
The storm was so localised that many parts of the town and surrounding districts suffered no damage.
Most believe this was Maryborough’s finest hour.
Instead of pulling the plug its citizens and institutions rallied.
Not only did they clean up the mess but made sure the Gathering went ahead.
In fact the Gathering created new records. The gate receipts were the highest ever, attendance numbers were the highest ever and the largest number of pipe bands participated.
The 100th Highland Gathering was the best ever according to the regular attendees.
Hundreds of volunteers worked overnight to dig a channel to drain the water into the lake. Despite the oval being damp it was suitable for competition.
Unfortunately the cycle track was too slippery and cycling had to be abandoned.
The Highland dancing was so well patronised that it went well into the night.
Well over 100 Highland dancers took part in the massed display.
Thirty-one-year-old Ernie Paez won the gift by inches.
Mr G. Bell, the president of the Highland Society, and his wife, presented The Advertiser sash.
Ted Hubble, a member of the prominent family, had the honour of leading the 21 bands.
Ironically the Gathering itself was blessed with perfect weather with the temperature topping 21 degrees in full sunshine.
The locals celebrated the efforts to put on the Gathering with estimates of 23,000 attending.
Many citizens generously opened their houses to those in need. We can feel proud of everyone who made sacrifices to help.
Local radio station 3CV was off air for a period but was reinstated and was able to ensure that appropriate and accurate information was available to the listening public.
The State Electricity Commission workers were tireless in reinstating power to the town as well as ensuring fallen power lines were contained.
Every available police officer made themselves available, many working day and night.
The gathering to see in the new year at the intersection of High and Nolan streets was quieter than usual.
That many did attend was a strong indication that it would take a great deal to deter them.
Speaking to many who were witnesses to the storm affirm that it was a surreal and terrifying event.
