Greenmount Historic Homestead became into existence as a Mackay icon in 1983 when the former Pioneer Shire Council accepted it as a deed of gift from Mrs Dorothy Cook widow of the former owner, Mr T.A.Cook who had died in 1981.  Tom Cook was descended from one of the first families to settle in the Mackay district shortly after John Mackay’s discoveries in 1860. 

The original Greenmount property extended from the south bank of the Pioneer River westward for a distance of about 56 kms.  The southern boundary ran southwards through what is now Eton and along Sandy Creek to the sea John Mackay settled on the property on 11^th January 1862 and built a slab hut and on “Green Knoll” a short distance to the North East of the present homestead.  A fig tree allegedly planted by John Mackay in 1862 marks the site today. However due to financial difficulties John Mackay did not stay on his property for very long and over the next 50 years the property passed through many hands and was gradually reduced in size.

 

Built in 1915 on the original property taken up by John Mackay after he had discovered the Pioneer Valley, Greenmount overlooks the river with views that extend to the city of Mackay and the harbour to the east, the ranges to the west and to the north takes in the Pleystowe Sugar Mill and the hills beyond. In the distance can be seen Greenknoll, the site of John Mackay's camp of 1862 and the fig tree he planted then which is still flourishing. 

Greenmount was built for Mr Albert A. Cook father of Tom Cook, and son of John Cook who, following on the heels of John Mackay in 1862, settled on Balnagowan just across the Pioneer River becoming the first permanent settler in the district. Albert Cook had married Althea Vida Atherton

 in 1908. “Vida” as she was known as was descended from the well known Atherton family who were among the first settlers in the Yeppoon and later Sarina districts.  Her Uncle John Atherton settled near near Mareeba in the 1860’s and the Atherton Tablelands pays homage to his achievements.  After their marriage they settled in the Balnagown homestead where their two oldest children, Tom and John were raised. 

In 1914 Albert Cook offered the Pleystowe Land Syndicate which owned the Greenmount lands which totalled about 914 acres. 

The final plans for a new homestead to be built on a grassy ridge were ready in March 1915. A local architect William Sykes, drew up the plans for the homestead, and the contract was won by Carter and Sons of Walkerston. Albert Cook was so pleased with the result he published a testimonial in the local newspaper, The exact cost is unknown but was approximately £1200 ($2400). The family finally moved into the completed house on 14^th December 1915. Meanwhile on April 29^th of that year Albert and Vida’s youngest child Althea was born at Balnagowan. 

The house was initially set up to use gas to operate lighting until it was replaced in 1925 by a 32 Volt electric plant.  240 volt mains electricity was connected to the house 1962 when the Governor of Queensland Henry Abel Smith stayed at the homestead during a visit to Mackay. 

Various outbuildings which stand today at the homestead were built for various purposes.  One of the buildings housed a workshop for John Cook, Albert and Vida’s second son.  He was a very talented young man as can be seen in the various items he made in the workshop.  John unfortunately died in 1929 at the age of 17 from a diabetic coma while on holidays in Brisbane. His body was brought back to Mackay and was buried in the Walkerston Cemetery.

 

“Maggies Room” was home to Maggie and Peter Darwin a married aboriginal couple.  Maggie was from the local aboriginal tribe from the Nebo district.  She taught Albert Cook some of the local language which he wrote down to keep for posterity. The “Seed house” which is located on the western fenceline of the present property was used for various station workers and their families.

 

Albert Cook passed away in 1948 and his son Tom took over the running of the Homestead and property.  Tom married in 1950 to Dorothy Drysdale who was descended from the pioneering Drysdale family from the Burdekin. Vida Cook passed away in 1955.  Tom and Dorothy became well known philanthropists and many a charity function was held in the grounds of the homestead to raise money for various worthy causes.  The homestead was also visited on occasions by various important pole who enjoyed the hospitality of the Cooks.

 

Over the years various changes to the homestead were made.  The western verandah was partially enclosed as the living area for Dorothy Cook’s mother who lived with the Cook’s.  However the homestead remains today largely the same as it was during the Cook’s residence.

 

Tom and Dorothy Cook retired to Buderim in the mid 1970’s and the homestead was left to be managed by the workers and the house cared for by Gloria Arrow who commenced at the homestead as a 17 year old in 1958.

Tom Cook passed away in November 1981 after a short illness and plans were put in motion to gift the house and homestead grounds to the people of Mackay.  Tom Cook was the first Patron of the Mackay Historical Society in 1972 and was an avid historian.  Dorothy Cook decided that the house by passed on to the Pioneer Shire Council and the contents to the Mackay Historical Society who were to manage the homestead as a unique museum. The homestead was opened to the public in September 1984.