Long before Wamuran became the community it is today, pioneering families like the Jacksons laid the foundations for its development. Brothers John, Fred and Jim Jackson were among the early settlers who helped shape the region’s growth and character.
John Alexander Jackson was the first of the brothers to settle in Wamuran, arriving around 1906. He married local girl Lillian Jensen in 1909 and by 1910, he had purchased land and started farming, firmly establishing the family in the district. Jim and Fred followed soon after, with all three establishing their own footholds in the fertile lands of the Lower Basin area.
John Jackson owned over 400 acres of land (possibly up to 1000 when leased areas are included) and ran a flourishing farm with various crops and livestock. His farm included 150 dairy cows, 300 to 400 pigs, 200 beehives and a large banana plantation. His produce was transported by truck to Brisbane markets, a significant logistical effort for the time.
A Lasting Legacy of Community and Agriculture
But John wasn’t just a farmer, he was deeply committed to his community. In 1920, he donated land for The Basin School, helping to provide education for local children. The following year, he helped buy land and raise funds for the Wamuran Baptist Church, which opened on 6 August 1921, with John as its first chairman. In 1924, he led efforts to build a bridge over Wararba Creek, meeting with Council and helping to raise the necessary funds to make it happen.
Fred Jackson, who married Jessie Nicholson, settled on part of the Nicholson family farm in the area now known as Glenarba Court. There, he grew bananas and shared dairy cows with his neighbour, Ham Clews, at Bracalba. In 1939, Fred started a milk run through the Wamuran Basin, delivering fresh milk to local families. He kept the service going until 1941 when he sold the run to Len Crowther.
His brother Jim Jackson also made his mark on the district. In 1917, he purchased land on Campbells Pocket Road, followed by another property in 1919, which he named Cherry Vale. Like many farmers in the region, Jim grew bananas and later turned to dairying. However, the onset of the Great Depression made things difficult, forcing him to lease parts of his land to other banana growers. By 1943, financial pressures led Jim to sell Cherry Vale, which was then bought by Bill Lindsay.
Together, the Jackson brothers helped shape Wamuran into a thriving agricultural district, one community event, church service and banana harvest at a time.
Read more stories from The Caboolture Guide print magazine here:
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- Caboolture Connect: Updates from the Community
- Podcast Review: It’s Storytime with Wil Wheaton
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- Harry Potter Forest Experience Casts Spell on Brisbane
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- Caboolture Show 2025: Packed with Family Fun
- Heading Back to the 50s
- World Class Male Revue Brings the Magic
- Suncoast Outdoor Adventure Expo Makes Tracks to Caboolture
Featured Image: Graham Bros. Dodge truck at ‘Cherry Vale’. Image courtesy of Wamuran History
