Family marks 100 year link to farming in Rosemount

From left, Penelope Boyle, Lynelle Boyle, Ross Boyle, Jessica Pelka (nee Boyle) holding Olive Pelka and Greg Pelka Holding Lachlan Pelka. A mural on the shed marks the Centenary Celebration.

In 2003, the closure of the Moreton Sugar Mill in Nambour created a challenge for the Boyle family to find a productive use for their property on the rich Petrie Creek river flats at Rosemount.

Photo taken circa 1930 of the whole Boyle Family taken on the family farm, including: Parents Nicholas & Maria Boyle. Boys: Ted Boyle, Charlie Boyle, Sam Boyle, Hugh Boyle, Nicholas Boyle, Harry Boyle & Bernie Boyle and girls: Sarah Boyle, Nell Boyle, Mary Boyle & Von Boyle.

Hand Cane Cutters on the Boyle Farm, also taken circa 1930.

With the sort of tenacity his grandfather had shown establishing a cane farm in the early days, Ross Boyle began transitioning from sugar cane to a turf farm.

Looking forward, his goal was to mark 100 years of agriculture on land which had been settled by his grandparents Nicholas and Maria Boyle on October 7, 1921.

This year, on October 7, Ross’s dream will come true as the Boyle family of Rosemount celebrates the centenary. 

And to think it all started as a virgin block of land running down to Petrie Creek.

“It was cleared and drained and the river flats grew sugar cane, and the hill land grew a variety of small crops including beans, bananas, pineapples, papaws, ginger and tomatoes,” said Ross who now owns and operates Rosemount Turf with his wife Lynelle, daughter Penelope and son-in-law Greg Pelka.

“Nicholas and Maria had 11 children,” said Ross.  “Four sons and two sons-in-law went and fought in WW2. One was killed overseas.

“The story goes that Sam Boyle, who returned from Changi Prison and the Burma Railway at the end of World War II, knelt and kissed the ground and said he was never leaving Nambour again. And he never did.”

Ross said the picturesque riverside land had been abundant and provided for many families over the 100 years, as well as being a beautiful location to raise children.

“There have been three generations of Boyles farming over the years and the fourth generation is ready to take over,” he said.

Ross said his family’s pioneering spirit and enduring ties to the area filled him with pride. 

“The change from cane farming to growing turf has allowed our family legacy to continue for the next generation,” he said. “However we do miss the cane trains weaving through the valley and the cane fires on dusk.”

As a small boy, Ross has memories of floating toy boats down Petrie Creek Road after heavy rain. 

The valley has certainly changed in his lifetime with Petrie Creek Road now being a major arterial road between the hinterland and the coast.

Earlier this year the Boyle’s commissioned a mural on the property shed to mark the Centenary Celebration. 

The mural was painted by Ross Holloway to show the transition from sugar cane to turf production.

The family has also installed a Centenary Garden display and will be having a Centenary Celebration dinner on the October 9.

Rosemount Turf is at 489 Petrie Creek Road, Rosemount. Phone 5448 6398. Or visit www.rosemountturf.com. email: info@rosemountturf.com.au