The township of Walkerston - with a population of 3615, 50% male, 50% female; according to 2021 census - is named for John Walker who was a plantation manager in the Walkerston/Homebush area.
Walkerston - affectionately known as ’Scrubby’, from the then scrubby terrain of the creek banks - is situated approximately 10 kilometres west of Mackay (Central Queensland, Australia).
In 1866, Walkerston was known mainly as Scrubby Creek, with a small section known as Alsatia. In 1881, Scrubby & Alsatia joined to form Walkerston (Gazetted 22 December 1881).
On the south-west side of the township is the historic Greenmount Homestead and, as the name suggests, it is situated on top of a hill, just a short distance from Walkerston.
The Greenmount site was first settled in 1862 by Captain John Mackay, for whom the City of Mackay is named. The homestead was built in 1912 by the Cook family on the highest hill within the Greenmount station. In those days the station stretched in all directions as far as the eye could see.
Today only the land surrounding the homestead is part of Greenmount, the rest has been divided and sold, and then sub-divided into house blocks.
Impressive Greenmount Homestead is the only heritage listed homestead in the Mackay region. It is quite refreshing to be able to sit on the wide cool verandah of the homestead, just enjoying the view imagining what it was like a-hundred years ago when it was a huge cattle station; on a clear day one could glimpse the coastline.
In 1983 Greenmount Homestead was gifted to the then Pioneer Shire Council by the Cook family. Today the homestead is held in trust, maintained, and operated by Mackay Regional Council.
Contributed by Bente McDonald
A painting of Walkerston circa 1912 by Pat Hamilton
The same view of Walkerston in 2023
Greenmount Homestead
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
