Local History by Cate Patterson of Montville Historical Society

Long rows of grey-green spikes once crowned acres of Blackall Range slopes. It was postcard pretty but represented back-breaking work for farmers. This mighty pineapple realm established a multi-million-dollar industry despite its humble beginnings as a mere curiosity.

The rough leaf pineapple was introduced to the Queensland Colony by Lutheran Missionaries based at Nundah, Brisbane in 1838. However, in 1881, the smooth leaf pineapple was introduced from French Guiana via France and Kew Gardens, London. It was this variety that became the centre of Queensland’s pineapple boom. Alf Bowser introduced pineapples to his farm, 'Lilydale', on the site of what is now Montville Mountain Inn. That was in the early 1900s with his first commercial crop being shipped to Brisbane in 1906.

Before long the Blackall Range was recognised as a premier pineapple-growing district and pineapple farming began to replace citrus farming as the main fruit crop on the range. Gradually, land along the ‘North Coast Line’ from North Pine to Gympie was turned into pineapple farming. Then, in 1916, a returned soldier re-settlement scheme saw hundreds of returned soldiers settled on new farms of between 20 and 40 acres around Beerburrum and Woombye to grow pineapples.

Although many failed, others bought failed farms and became more commercially viable. Between 1932 and 1942, pineapple production in Queensland doubled. It doubled again between 1952 and 1956. A large proportion of these crops were produced in the Maroochy Shire and Woombye was recognised as the third largest pineapple producing area in Queensland, both in terms of number of farms and total production. The pineapple was king of fruit being grown in the ‘North Coast’ hinterland.

This remarkable growth led to farmers establishing the Northgate Committee of Direction Fruit Marketing Cannery as a cooperative to preserve fruit through canning in 1947 under the brand name of Golden Circle. Golden Circle was purchased by Heinz in 2009. At the same time, post-war tourism saw many more southern visitors attracted to the ‘North Coast’. In 1952, newly elected Mayor of Maroochy Shire, David Low, saw an opportunity to re-brand and promote the pineapple through targeting the tourist market. The Golden Pineapple Week was created and launched in November 1954.

The Golden Pineapple Week was a major event even by today’s standards. The program involved sporting competitions, a car rally, a speedboat regatta, a drama presentation, a pioneer’s dinner, street carnivals, a Golden Pineapple Queen Competition, a grand parade of floats carrying entrants followed by a Mardi Gras, climaxing in the Pineapple Queen Ball. Local papers actively promoted the week and provided recipes for all things pineapple including Pineapple Gingerbread, Pineapple Christmas Cake, Pineapple Curry Kofta and Candied Pineapple.

The Pineapple Queen Ball was held at the Nambour Show Pavilion. Queens were nominated from local districts and organisations. They raised funds which were used for nominated purposes in their hometown or district and rode on decorated floats in the grand Festival Procession. This was a highlight of the week-long celebrations to promote the North Coast's pineapple industry. The procession was followed by an afternoon carnival and a special night program with the crowning ceremony of the winning queen.

In 1955 there were nine entrants for the Pineapple Queen Competition from: Eudlo; Palmwoods; Woombye; Montville; Yandina; Maroochy QATB; North Coast Life Savers; Nambour Show Society; Maroochydore Sub-Branch of the RSSAILA (RSL). Miss Yandina, Pat Rafter, was crowned the Golden Pineapple Queen in a fitting finale for Golden Pineapple Week at a time when Pineapple was King.