The summer of 1974 remains etched in the memories of Moranbah residents, a testament to the community’s resilience and ingenuity. Cyclone Wanda brought record floods to many areas of Queensland, including Moranbah, causing significant disruptions.

This iconic photo, shared by Mark Hollands on the “Moranbah’s Good Old Days” Facebook page, sparked a wave of nostalgia among residents, with many commenting to reminisce about that challenging yet memorable time.

The photo captures a critical moment during the floods when the P&H crane boom was laid across the swollen Grosvenor Creek.

This makeshift bridge became the lifeline for Moranbah, ensuring essential supplies and personnel could still reach the town. Joe Comiskey and Geoff Maclean, dragline operators from Goonyella, can be seen in the forefront, witnessing this incredible feat of engineering and community spirit.

Fred Fischer and Graham Stevens brought the boom down from Peak Downs, then owned by Utah Development Coal Mining Company, and positioned it, enabling a crucial link for the town.

In the background, a lighting plant facilitated the shift workers’ passage to and from both day and night shift, ensuring continuity of the mine’s operations.

One resident shared, “I carried my daughter, only two weeks old, across that in 1974. We were coming home from the hospital in Mackay, 50 years ago”.

Residents fondly recall how the community came together.

Graeme Stephens, known as Stevo, said, “I was one of the crane operators who laid the boom down across the creek and manned it on the night shift. Barry Lewis was our superintendent. All supplies, even meat for the butchers, came over the boom”.

The mateship and determination of the Moranbah community were evident as they navigated these challenging times.

“Those were the days, community doing things together, happy people,” one commenter reflected.

Another shared a vivid memory, “I remember the supply truck used to ring from Nebo, and then the old council utility would go around town with loudspeakers, letting people know the truck would arrive in an hour or so. Then 100 people would turn up to help ferry everything across to the old truck and take it to Denim’s Supermarket. That was a real community”.

This historical reflection not only highlights the resilience and resourcefulness of Moranbah’s residents but also underscores how times have changed. The sense of community and shared purpose remains a powerful memory for those who lived through it.

Looking at the precarious setup, we’re pretty sure it would not pass health and safety standards today!