Display: Moreton Sugar Mill
The town of Nambour has long been renowned and remembered for its sugar mill, the characteristic odours which wafted around town, the puffs of black smoke which emitted from the giant chimney stack and the fallout from cane ash which followed the evening burnoffs. But who could forget the sight and sounds of those mighty little engines pulling countless bins of cane up along Howard Street and then across the town's main (Currie) street into the mill.
Sadly, that's all gone now and has become part of local history following the closure of the mill a couple of years ago. Fortunately, the Nambour Museum has been able to save and accumulate a most impressive collection of furniture, photographs, records, machinery and tools to ensure that the contributions made by farmers, mill workers and the industry generally to the local economy are well documented. The Museum has displays throughout which would be of interest to locals and visitors alike.
The Moreton Sugar Mill Board Room which is located on the upper (ground level) of the main building has been restored using timbers from the original board room. This area contains records, trophies and photographs as well as scale drawings of the mill and recreates the atmosphere of times past.
The lower level of the main building features an amazing collection from the Moreton Sugar Mill Workshop with large machines and lathes and the tools used on site for everyday maintenance of plant, machinery and rolling stock.
Down along the eastern side of the museum (adjoining the mill site) are several engines and boilers which were an integral part of the milling process. One special fixture which would be of interest to visitors is a small portion of the original chimney stack which had been a signature landmark for Nambour.
Further reminders for those familiar with the Moreton Mill adorn the outside grounds at the rear of the main building. The recently restored Moreton Mill Engineers' Office is eye catching and warrants close inspection inside for the important role it played in the operations. Together with the railway control system and the tracks, the historic Eudlo Steam Locomotive (currently under repair and repainting) and other rolling stock appear well at home (or rest) here. The new Loco Shed enhances this memorial to the local sugar industry while the old cane harvester outside stands tall at the entrance.
The rear entrance to the museum property and car park is adorned with large scale and key components of the sugar mill. Come along and take a close look at the steam engine and flywheel and the tippler which were used for the unloading of cane from the bins.
The Eudlo stands proudly at the museum's railway crossing awaiting the completion of its new home at the end of the line
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The Engineer's Hut looks great after its short journey from the neighbouring mill site and some restoration work
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The Tippler and Fly Wheels are invaluable reminders of the once proud sugar mill which stood alongside the museum
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Some of the engines and machinery used in the production of sugar cane on the site which is visible in the background
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A small slice of the chimney stack which was synonymous with Nambour and stood testimony to the local sugar industry
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Standing tall are other sections of heavy machinery from the Moreton Sugar Mill
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