Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
MAIN - Joan Hill, (2nd from the left), pictured during her eight years working at Mackay’s old C.O.D. building. Image supplied
By Hannah McNamara
An uncovered photograph from the 1950s is being shared by local Delyce Hill in rememberance of her late sister Joan Maureen Hill, who she described as a devoted worker and a positive presence in the community.
At the time the photo was taken, Joan was in her early 20s, working at Mackay’s old C.O.D. building on Victoria Street, where she spent around eight years from 1952.
Long before larger corporate grocers took over the industry in Mackay, the Committee of Direction of Fruit Marketing, also known as the C.O.D., was a thriving part of the city’s produce trade; a hub for fruit and vegetables as they passed from producers to customers.
Delyce remembers her own father sending pumpkins, beans, citrus fruit and potatoes to the C.O.D, with the produce brought in by freight train.
“The C.O.D. was a pretty thriving business back then… everybody went there, and people would even come in from out of town,” she said.
According to Delyce, Joan spent her days serving customers, whilst boarding at the YWCA.
“The customers loved her and she loved all the customers. I think she knew all of them by name and how often they came in.”
“She lived for her work.”
After spending around eight years at the C.O.D, Joan moved to Brisbane, where she began working for the Queensland Government’s Public Works Department as a cleaner.
When cleaning services were later put out to contract, Joan was offered a position as the department’s personal tea lady, where she stayed until she was 79,” Delyce said.
Delyce said that Joan was dedicated to her work, and was recognised with an Australia Day Medal for that reason.
Outside of work, Joan was known for her baking, making cakes and cheesecakes for colleagues and special functions.
Joan passed away in June this year, two months shy of her 94th birthday.
For Delyce, the photograph has become a small but meaningful piece of her sister’s legacy, and a glimpse into a chapter of Mackay’s history that shouldn’t be forgotten.
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