Twin Black Swan centenaries celebrated at Cotton Tree

Cotton Tree, the town, is historically entwined with the Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club with both celebrating their centenaries this month.

To commemorate this significant milestone, council’s Maroochydore Library will welcome Surf Life Saving Queensland president and author Ralph Devlin at 11am on Friday, January 15 to launch his latest book Home of the Black Swan 1916-2016 .

The book includes rare and well researched history about the Maroochydore Surf Lifesaving Club.

Established January 1, 1916, the Maroochydore Surf Club was the very first surf club within the region and only the second.

The new book tells the unique story of the communities of Bli Bli, Rosemount, Nambour and Maroochy River, and the people who gave up their young sons to first the lifesaving service, and then to the military service, when Australia entered the First World War.

The club’s establishment followed hot on the heels of the first real estate sales in the areas. On December 28, 1915, 80 town allotments were sold at auction to form the new township which became known as Cotton Tree.

The lots stretched along what is now The Esplanade ─ some 200 metres from the bank of the Maroochy River - and along what is now Alexandra Parade, immediately behind the sand dunes of Maroochydore Beach.

While a little seaside town was made by these allotments, it was a town without dwellings. At that time, Cotton Tree comprised only a camping ground and kiosk run by Nambour businessman Lou Collins.

Find out more about this fascinating story at the Library Service’s first author talk of 2016. Bookings are essential and can be made by visiting council’s library website or calling 5475 8989.