How Mackay's Pioneer River got its name...

The name Mackay River didn't survive, as it was soon changed to Pioneer River, to avoid confusion with a river of the same name flowing into Rockingham Bay.

BACK IN THE DAY: The aftermath of the 1956 flood at Mirani.

AN ENTRY in John Mackay's journal as his expedition party entered the Pioneer Valley on 20th May, 1860 reads:

"Proceeded on our way along Bell's Creek, which in places was very scrubby along its banks. About 2pm we came to where it joined a large creek coming from the S.E., below the junction with which it formed a large river about one hundred yards broad, with good provision of water. McCrossan proposed it should be called the Mackay River, and the party agreed to it. Camped about a mile below the junction, and tracked a number of alligators in the sandy bed of the river.”

The name Mackay River didn't survive very long, as it was soon changed to Pioneer River, to avoid confusion with a river of the same name flowing into Rockingham Bay.

Pioneer was derived from the Government survey ship H.M.S. Pioneer.

Many crocodiles, often referred to as alligators, inhabited the river in the early days, and some huge monsters were reported and killed.

A newspaper report in 1922 stated that a resident of Abington Run, at Mirani, discovered a crocodile's nest in scrub on the river bank fronting the property. It contained 46 eggs in an advanced state of incubation.

Until recent times, the river frequently flooded during the annual wet seasons which kept the river clear of any overgrown vegetation.

With fewer floods the river became congested with vegetation, and it was only with the recent heavy rain and flood associated with Cyclone Debbie, that a semblance of the beautiful sandy areas returned.

On special public holidays, a train excursion would run from Mackay to Mirani packed with hundreds of people. Some enjoyed the town's sporting activities, whilst others headed down to the river's beach-like sand on the western side to enjoy a picnic and swim.

The Church of England would celebrate their Harvest Thanksgiving Sunday down on the river.

The church organ was transported there on the back of a utility for the service.

Afterwards the group would enjoy a picnic, with two kerosene tins of water boiled for their "cuppa”.

Fishing was a popular pastime for some locals. They would head off on their bicycle or on foot to their favourite and secret fishing spot, accompanied by a sugar bag containing the tackle, can of freshly dug worms for bait, and a little something to eat.

East of Marian near Wallingford, was a popular spot known as "the falls” where a barra could be caught.

In the early years, the flooded river played havoc at Mia Mia, Mirani and Marian, where the low-level traffic bridges would become covered with sand, severely damaged, or swept away.

A notable tragedy occurred in 1940 involving a Chinaman, Willie Sing.

He lived on an island and had a market garden at the junction of the river and McGregor Creek, and would sell his produce in Mirani.

During a flood, Willie was seen being swept away on a log, and his body was later found near the Mackay Harbour's southern breakwater.

Another loss of life occurred, when a 17-year-old lad was swept off the low level bridge at Mirani whilst trying to cross on horseback.

Perhaps the most devastating flood occurred in 1956 when the high-level railway bridge at Mirani was swept away in the early hours of the morning.

Some radio listeners believed its report on the morning news to be a prank, as it was April 1.

In a way, the Pioneer River was eventually conquered, with high-level traffic and rail bridges at Mia Mia, Mirani, and Marian.

Originally published as How Mackay's Pioneer River got its name...