LAKE WIVENHOE & WIVENHOE POCKET

by Beth Dias
The first pastoralist settlers took up land in the Somerset Region in 1841. They were the Balfours, the McConnels and the Norths. In the1860s more settlers arrived to take advantage of a government offer of choice land on Wivenhoe Agricultural Reserve. It is difficult to imagine the driving force, the passion and motivation that spurred these pioneers, with their courage and determination, to take on such a tough harsh existence. What of the adversities? There were no soft options. How did they perceive the lack of commodities, transportation, isolation and vital medical aid? Yet, the decision was incredibly made, and, from the other side of the world. Many of the settlers who took up the portions of land were from the British Isles. But, being prepared for the extreme environmental conditions of drought and flood would have been beyond contemplation. Particularly severe droughts occurred in 1877 and 1902.

Then there were the floods. The public house at Wivenhoe was washed away in l857. In 1893 another disastrous flood destroyed properties, endangered lives and ultimately left farmers, already reeling from the hardship of the 1890 depression, in a quandary.

The 1893 flood also swept away the Wivenhoe police barracks and St. Marks Church of England along with a number of dwellings.

Development of the Wivenhoe District include:

  • Construction of a Methodist Church at Wivenhoe in 1871
  • A creamery at Wivenhoe Pocket in 1897 to serve the local area
  • The building of Wivenhoe Pocket School in the late 1800’s. It closed in 1962.
  • St.Mark’s Church of England, built in 1886 at Wivenhoe Pocket but subsequently lost in the 1893 flood.
  • A tennis club and courts at Wivenhoe were set up in the 1900s.
  • Establishment of Wivenhoe station (a.k.a. River Station) in1841. This property exchanged hands in 1849 - the new owners - the North family from Fairney Lawn. It remained in the Norths’ possession well into their second century of ownership. With the construction of the Wivenhoe dam imminent, the property was resumed along with others.
  • Government’s first contract for the construction was given in 1977 and in 1985 Wivenhoe Dam was officially opened. (The dam, with its 400kms of shoreline, has a full holding capacity of 1,165,000 mega litres - double that of Sydney Harbour. Its main benefactor - the city of Brisbane.)

For the traveller:

The district of Wivenhoe, within the Esk Shire, is easily accessible and less than one hour’s drive from Brisbane. The Wivenhoe region is a blend of modernity and yesteryear.

Its commodities include agricultural produce, fruit orchards, an olive grove, horse and cattle breeding, nurseries and trees farms. Production is for the local, state, interstate and overseas markets. Those who live and work in the Wivenhoe district have a firm belief in the prosperity of the area, notwithstanding the issues associated with water.

Wivenhoe Alliance moved into the region to build a new 165 metre wide spillway for the dam at Wivenhoe in 2003 as part of an upgrade. The works were completed in 2005.

There is no Wivenhoe township but there is a community where the pioneering spirit continues. A number of early settler families still reside in the Wivenhoe district with generations living side-by-side.

What to see, where to go and what to do?

  • Take the Wivenhoe Pocket Road turn-off for Twin Bridges, a picnic spot beside an idealic stretch of the Brisbane River. Day trippers can swim, go canoeing and picnic.
  • An alternative destination is Cormorant Bay overlooking Lake Wivenhoe. The grounds are landscaped and well maintained with barbeques and covered picnic tables and seating. The play areas have extensive, well-maintained equipment for the littlies and for bush walkers there are trails to be explored.
  • Photographic opportunities? Top scenic photo shots of the ‘Pocket’ can be taken from elevated sites at Lowood and there are excellent vantage points along the Somerset Region Highway to get something on film of Lake Wivenhoe.
  • Further down the highway toward Esk, take r.h.s. turn to Wivenhoe Park where indicated.
  • Fishing is permitted on Lake Wivenhoe. You will need a non-motorised boat and fishing licence, the latter available from the Wivenhoe Visitor Information Centre.
  • On the lake also, the G.P.S. Regatta Championship are held. Contenders compete in long boats, Quads and VIII’s. Lake Wivenhoe is also a training ground for Olympic rowing contenders and site of the Queensland State Championships.
  • Visit the Wivenhoe General Cemetery on Deletraz Road, Wivenhoe Pocket. A sandstone memorial marks the final resting place of Robert Vernor, Captain of the 88th Connaught Rangers. He emigrated from Edinburgh and took up a holding in the Parish of Burnett in 1868 . Captain Vernor was a well-know and respected identity - the district of Vernor and local roads bear his name.

In summary an apt quote from ‘Confidence & Tradition’ (pp 236), “…the recreational opportunities of the Wivenhoe environment revolve on the traditional values and skills of rural life practiced throughout the history of the Somerset Region".