When Arthur and Eliza Embrey arrived in Wamuran in 1928, they carried with them a pioneering spirit that would leave an enduring mark on the local farming community. Settling on Green Road with their six children, Olive, Arthur, Leonard, Leslie, Roy Percival (Perc) and Dulcie, they dedicated themselves to cultivating pineapples and citrus, laying the foundation for a lasting legacy.
Two sons, Les and Perc, were particularly instrumental in shaping Wamuran’s agricultural landscape. After school, they worked under Russell Grigg, honing their pineapple farming expertise. Les later enlisted in World War II, while Perc remained on the farm until 1951. After the war, Les purchased land on Gamgee Road, expanding his holdings. With 60 acres of pineapples and 10 acres of bananas, he was among the first in Wamuran to introduce hilling techniques for pineapples, improving drainage and soil aeration. An innovator, he was also an early adopter of mechanised harvesting.
Community Impact and Lasting Legacy
Beyond farming, Les and his wife Phyllis were devoted to the community. They actively supported Wamuran School, raising funds to help establish the school’s oval in the 1960s. Les served as a doorkeeper for the Wamuran Hall Committee, while both were involved in Neighbourhood Watch, the Caboolture Show’s poultry section and community events like the Guy Fawkes Night of the 1950s and 60s.
Meanwhile, Perc built his own farming empire. Starting with land near the post office, now the school site – he purchased a 160-acre property on Childs Road in 1956 and an additional farm in Elimbah in 1964, which he later passed to his son, Ron. A respected leader in the pineapple industry, Perc organised field days to educate fellow growers and helped establish bulk loading facilities in Wamuran.
Perc was equally dedicated to the community, chairing the Wamuran Hall Committee and actively participating in the Fruitgrowers Association. A skilled sportsman, he represented Wamuran in tennis, cricket and indoor bowls. With his wife Edna, he enjoyed outdoor bowls until retirement. His contributions to the Caboolture Show’s pineapple section further cemented his legacy.
The Embrey family’s influence extended beyond farming. Together, they formed ‘Merbye’ – a major agricultural enterprise that employed many locals and contributed significantly to Wamuran’s economy. Though Merbye went into receivership in 2016, the Embrey name remains synonymous with Wamuran’s farming heritage.
For nearly a century, the Embrey’s helped shape Wamuran’s identity, blending agricultural innovation with unwavering community spirit. Their contributions, both on the land and in the town, remain an essential part of the area’s rich history.
Read more stories from The Caboolture Guide print magazine here:
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- Choose Bob at Brisbane Comedy Festival
- Organic Gardening in April
