The mystery of Molly Thompson

by FRASER COAST MAYOR GEORGE SEYMOUR

WE HAVE a number of historic structures around Maryborough that we consider landmarks; such as City Hall, the St Paul’s Bell Tower and Stupart’s.

Another structure that helps define our skyline and gives a reference point to our community is the large water tank on the corner of Ann and Adelaide Streets.

Occupying a prominent corner, this towering building has been a major presence in Maryborough for over 80 years.

This elevated water reservoir has been a landmark in Maryborough since 1940 when it was built for the Maryborough City Council by the Queensland Building and Engineering Co at a cost of £11,000.

The land on which it now stands had previously been known as the Brothers’ Green.

It was designed and built as an essential component of municipal infrastructure; helping to supply fresh water to the citizens of Maryborough.

When constructed, the 1,000,000 gallon tank was the largest such reservoir in Australia.

The site was a major construction site with more than 20 workers for most of 1940.

Hundreds of tons of concrete and steel went into the project.

Approximately 32 metres in diameter, the tank is supported by 21 columns each 45 centimeters in diameter and 8.5 metres high and a supporting wall 18 centimetres thick.

Not long after it had commenced use, the site was the subject of intense tragedy.

For many days during August 1942 Maryborough was focused on finding the 24-year-old Molly Thompson safe and well.

She had last been seen alive walking along Bazaar Street early on the morning of 11 August 1942, dressed in her green pajamas.

For over a week, amongst the news of World War II, headlines in the newspaper included ‘Police Seek Information About Missing Girl’, ‘Search for Missing Girl’, ‘Girl Still Missing’, and ‘No Trace of Missing Girl’.

Searches were undertaken of air raid shelters, along the river banks and throughout the city but no clues could be found.

The days came and went and on 21 August 1942, the headline was again ‘No Trace of Missing Girl’ but the search, and all remaining hope, would end that day.

Tragically, the next day, readers would see in print ‘Missing Girl Found – Body Recovered from City Water Reservoir’.

The reservoir had actually been searched by police on three occasions prior to this discovery by two council workers.

It was, and remains, something of a mystery.

There was much speculation as to what had happened – in particular how she could have climbed to the top without a ladder.

On the side of the structure there was a fixed ladder leading to the top. However to prevent people from using it, the ladder did not go all the way to the ground, a second portable ladder was required in order to reach the main one.

To this day, there is no conclusive explanation as to how Molly managed to climb up the ladder without leaving a temporary one at the base.

It would surely have been too high for her to jump up to the first rung.

The mystery of the missing ladder led to speculation amongst the community that she had been murdered and this was considered during the coronial inquiry.

The coroner conducted his inquiry in the following month ruling that she had drowned and, in language still used to describe suicide, stated that “there were no suspicious circumstances.”

The evidence at the inquiry showed that for some time Molly had been very nervous and distressed.

Her doctor spoke of what could clearly be seen as depression. Molly was Catholic and in love with a young man who was Protestant.

This difference in beliefs that seemed to preclude marriage was found, at least in part, to be responsible for Molly’s nervous condition.

This tragic aspect of the building’s history provides a very human element to a municipal facility for the distribution of water.

When driving past it, it reminds me to always check in on people to make sure they are ok.