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.
John Gillies, mayor and MP
John Gillies was for two years the Mayor of West Maitland and became for 20 years a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, known best for his promotion of the interests of Maitland.
Dr R J Pierce, loved nineteenth century medico
Robert Pierce was a Dublin-born doctor who practised medicine In the Hunter Valley for several years. After his death a fountain was erected in High St in his memory.
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.
Re-naming of Maitland’s public high schools in 1987 and 1990
When state Minister for Education Rodney Cavalier re-named two Maitland high schools, there was a strong community backlash and Cavalier’s initiative was eventually overturned.