On this page members of the Maitland and District Historical Society are sharing their research into a variety of aspects of the history of our locality. New stories will be added as they become available.
Use search to find stories about the person, place, topic or keyword you are interested in.
The Glenbawn Dam rumour and the 1955 flood
There is a persistent belief among some Maitland people that the severity of the 1955 flood was due to the deliberate blowing up of Glenbawn Dam on the Hunter River above the town of Aberdeen. It is not true.
Helping hands from outside Maitland: the 1955 flood
David Russell and Malcolm Bailey were two of the many people from outside Maitland who travelled to the town to help during and after the 1955 flood.
John McLauchlin and drowning in floods
John McLauchlin, a baker, was drowned during a flood in 1870 while delivering bread to customers in South Maitland. Many others have drowned in Maitland’s floods.
Stan Dunkley, Maitland’s Town Clerk, 1949-1966
Stan Dunkley was a long-time Town Clerk of Maitland during a period of many floods and much new urban development.
The great flood of 1893
The 1893 flood was the worst experienced in the Maitland area in the European era, with much privation experienced by residents especially in West Maitland and on the farms.