Invitation to celebrate 80 years of Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve

from Jeanette Nobes 

The 20th of October 1941 is an auspicious date in the history of Maleny. 

It is the day that Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve  was created which has led to Maleny becoming known around the world. 

Millions of visitors have since experienced the magic of the rainforest  and have fallen in love with the view of the Glasshouse Mountains  since.

This all began when three sister’s of eight siblings, Mabel, Elizabeth (Bessie) and Mary Thynne decided to sell the remaining Rainforest on their two adjoining properties to the Landsborough Shire Council. 

One property was owned by Bessie and the other jointly by Mabel and Mary.  

 I have worked in Rainforest Conservation through Education for around 45 years, and it was while I was establishing the first Education Centre in 1998 that I had the pleasure of meeting many members of the Thynne and Cairncross families as well as members of the Maleny community. 

It was while speaking to so many that I first heard that the land for the Reserve was actually sold. It has always been stated that it was given to Council, but a few years later, while doing research for my book on the history of the reserve, I uncovered the Landsborough Shire Council minutes which showed that the three sisters had  indeed sold just the rainforest land to protect it and for it to be held in a form of trust as an area for conservation. This was only a few years after the sisters moved to Maleny in the late 30s, because their family home ‘Thoonbah’ in Brisbane had been sold.

Regardless of how it happened, it has been one of the greatest gifts in Australian Rainforest Conservation. Although only small, it is precious because it is so small. Sadly Mabel, the oldest sister, died two years after the sale and Mary, who suffered with poor health, was basically house bound. 

 Bessie, though, went on to live until 95 years of age and died in 1978, the year of Maleny’s Centenary. Bessie dedicated the next forty years to the running of the reserve with Council and Rotary’s help. Her brother Ted, the youngest brother was the only Thynne sibling of eight to live in Maleny all his adult life, was also an enormous help to Bessie. He was remembered by Bessie as seen by her beautiful message on the Memorial Cairn near the front entrance.

 As seen in the photo of the sisters enjoying a picnic, I thought a picnic was the perfect way to celebrate their wonderful gift to us all. A remarkable gift to the world.

Please accept this open invitation to join us on Wednesday 20 October 2021. To meet at the bottom end of the picnic ground at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.

The picnic will be from 10am to 12noon. BYO Food and Drink. I shall be giving a small talk with a Q & A after. Then there will be a very special experience for those who would like to join us for afternoon drinks. No need to RSVP.

The Governor of Queensland His Excellency Sir Henry Abel Smith, officially opening the Reserve on the 12th December 1960.  The stage was crafted on the back of the truck. From left are Dignitaries  Vic Waddell (Rotary), Cr H.W. Anning (Landsborough Shire Council), Miss Elizabeth (Bessie) Thynne and Norm Tesch (Rotary).

Miss Bessie Thynne at 90 years sitting on her verandah, in the house on top of the hill.

 The Three Sisters, from left Mabel,  Bessie and Mary  Thynne enjoying a picnic in late 1930s at what became the reserve in 1941.