General News
20 August, 2024
The Mullins Family: 160 years serving the community — By Brian Lennen
John Mullins arrived in Australia on the Meridian at Moreton Bay in 1852.
In 1863 he purchased a property at Eddington where he established a mixed farm.
A later descendant, Joseph, was an accomplished horseman. One of his saddles is on display at the Maldon Historical Museum.
Joe, and his wife Anne, had five children — Joseph, Sarah, Dan, Nancy and Pat.
Unfortunately Joe pre-deceased Anne and she was left to raise five children on her own.
Fortunately she was a gifted musician and teacher. She was accomplished on several instruments and the money from her students was sufficient enough to survive on.
To quote Pat “only for fish and rabbits they would have starved!” As well as a variety of fruit trees where the produce was made into jams, pickles and preserves, along with a productive vegetable garden fertilised with horse manure then in plentiful supply.
In 1934 Pat attended St Pat’s school in Ballarat as a boarder where he excelled at a multitude of sports including football, cricket, rowing and running. While in his teens he competed in the mile race at Stawell.
He was also a regular performer for Merle Burton’s concerts held in Maryborough.
While working for the Railways he trained at Footscray Football Club but like many others his life was changed with World War II.
Pat enlisted at the age of 20 while still a student. He served for six years with the 7th Infantry Battalion (C Company), being discharged in 1946.
On his transfer to Bonegilla, Victoria he worked as an instructor training new troops.
After the war he went into partnership with his brother Joe as cartage contractors.
He retired on selling the business to Harry Lean in 1982 at the age of 62.
Pat’s unbelievable service to Maryborough and district includes 45 years service with the fire brigade (including 29 years as Captain).
As an executive member of the CFA he was awarded a 20 years service award and also received the fire services medal (for all of Victoria) in 1980.
Major incidents which he superintended were the Phelan’s factory fire, the Flour Mill fire (which burned for one week) and the Crameri’s haystack fire in Tullaroop Road.
The most tragic disaster was the Blutchers Mine incident where two local teenagers lost their lives down a mine shaft. Pat operated the breathing apparatus at the rescue.
Pat also served as president of St Vincent de Paul, founded the youth club, was secretary of the trotting club and served Legacy for 45 years.
Pat’s wife Shiela was a pillar of St Augustine’s mother’s club. For 20 years the mother’s club catered at all Maryborough’s harness meetings.
Shiela baked nine gallons of custard for each meeting.
Pat’s son Dan was a superstar of the state fire brigade championships, winning the state title in 1975 and 1978 against 140 brigades. Under the guidance of the legendary Doug Baxter, Maryborough was a powerful unit.
Dianne (nee Wiseman), Dan’s wife was an outstanding citizen in her own right.
She was a teacher at PS 404, PS 2828 and MEC for over 40 years.
As a parishioner of the Anglican Church she, along with Danny, ran the deb balls for 23 years.
A keen gardener, Dianne prepared the floral arrangements for the church, and was part of a team responsible for the supervision of the catering in the church hall.
Dianne also served with the garden club, ambulance auxiliary and the Red Cross.
Dianne and Dan’s son, James, a scientist, was awarded an “Australian Medal” for work conducted by his company, Flaim Systems. It was a “virtual reality” for fire training feedback.
James is now an associate professor at Deakin University Geelong.
Kay (Caroline) Slater, Dan’s sister has a daughter who has distinguished herself as a dancer with the prestigious Parisian Folles.
Peter Mullins starred in a Maryborough Football Club premiership in the Ballarat League, kicking 6.5 goals in the 1968 grand final.
Once while attending a Gaelic football match I noted that several of the players had the surname of “Mullins”!