History of coal and community

By Tina Seirlis

Former local resident Max Emery is set to return to Bacchus Marsh to celebrate his new book which captures in posterity the previously unrecorded story of Maddingley Brown Coal (MBC) from 1927 to 1989, under its former ownership by Australian Paper Manufacturers (APM).

The book, which has been two years in the making, is privately funded by Mr Emery along with local donors who do not wish to be named. Mr Emery, the son of Ike Emery who worked at the mine for 20-years from 1947, and Ede Emery who taught at Bacchus Marsh Primary School, says he felt strongly about the need to share and record the story.

“I inherited quite a few MBC archives from my dad and Bill McBride’s family and with prompting from several of the old ‘Gaynor Street Mob’ I eventually decided it would be a good project to keep me busy in retirement,” he said.

Mr Emery says his fondest memories of the Marsh include growing up locally as a young boy, playing football for Maddingley, along with attending club dances on a Saturday night, particularly those held in Tom McMahon’s woolshed in the winter, along with playing tennis during the summer.

He shared that, “BC was one of the most important economic and social factors contributing to the development of Bacchus Marsh immediately after WWII, “with local employees spending a lot of their income within the town.”

Mr Emery outlined how former APM MBC Manager Bill McBride encouraged a strong sense of commitment to the town amongst employees, and in turn actively demonstrated positive leadership and community- mindedness through example.

The sourcing of brown coal during this period was to provide fuel for the Australian Paper Manufacturers’ sites at Fairfield and Broadford, along with supplying to industry and government.

Completion of the book has occurred with the assistance of local researchers Margaret Love and Bernice Clarke, with Mr Emery saying that without their help “I doubt the book would contain the riches that it does”.

Ms Love crossed paths with Mr Emery after marrying one of his oldest school friends Brendan Love, whereas Ms Clarke says she had known Max since high school when he was “a very likeable teenager around town”.

Ms Clarke said she felt extremely proud of Mr Emery and the legacy he has left to the people of Bacchus Marsh through the completion of the book.

The Story of Maddingley Brown Coal Pty Ltd. The APM Years 1927 to 1989 will be launched at 10am on 17 October at Lerderderg Library in Bacchus Marsh. Mr Emery’s past friends, those with links to the old MBC/APM, and otherwise anyone who values local history and would love to learn more, are encouraged to attend. The 1954 film called Maddingley will also be shown. Copies of the book are available for purchase at the launch for $30 each.