Carmichael’s Sawmill
Back To Sawmills
Home Page
Our People
The Carmichael Legacy
D’Aguilar’s Timber Giants
In 1912, Archie, James, and Charles Carmichael brought their sawmilling enterprise to D’Aguilar, building a large steam-driven mill opposite the railway station. Thanks to the newly opened Caboolture-Woodford rail line, timber could be transported directly to their Brisbane yard near the Queen Victoria Bridge.
Listen As
Mr Harris Remembers
Enjoy a special glimpse into the past with this short Audio clip featuring Mr Col Harris as he shares memories and insights from the early days of sawmilling at D’Aguilar.
D’Aguilar Sawmill c1920’s
A Sawmill is Born
The Carmichael name came to the D’Aguilar district in 1912 when Archie, James and Charles Carmichael built a sawmill on 32 acres of land directly opposite the railway station. The steam driven mill was quite large, by country standards, with up to 72 workers from the D’Aguilar district employed. The opening of the Caboolture-Woodford branch line in 1909 enabled the mill to transport timber to the Carmichael sawmill [in Brisbane] on the south bank of the Brisbane River between the Victoria and Grey Street bridges.
From Logs to Go-Carts
Hardwoods, pines and cabinet timbers (particularly cedar) were milled with the majority of those logs coming from Portion V, a property owned by the mill on Mount Delaney. Such was the supply of cedar that children from the district would go to the mill and be given off-cuts from which they built their go-carts.
Ron Bateman and Ron Ferris with a load of Banana cases from D’Aguilar Sawmill 1934.
From Industry to Imagination
The depression and cutting out of the pine led to the closure of the mill in 1936. The last order filled by the mill was for cross arms which were used by the City Electric Light in the extension of the power supply to the Somerset Dam. The mill remained idle until the mid forties when it was sold for removal to Hancock and Gore (sawmillers from Ipswich). During the 10 or so years it became one of the great big wonderful playgrounds for the D’Aguilar children.
Image Left – Bullock Team – (middle) coming into D’Aguilar Sawmill. Cash Boarding House [corner of D’Aguilar Highway and Bell Street D’Aguilar] in upper right.
From Logs to Go-Carts
Hardwoods, pines and cabinet timbers (particularly cedar) were milled with the majority of those logs coming from Portion V, a property owned by the mill on Mount Delaney. Such was the supply of cedar that children from the district would go to the mill and be given off-cuts from which they built their go-carts.
View east from Milton looking towards Montague Road, South Brisbane. Only the roof of Carmichael’s Sawmill, corner of Hope and Montague Roads is showing.
(espace Library University of Queensland)
End of an Era
The depression and cutting out of the pine led to the closure of the mill in 1936. The mill remained idle until the mid-forties when it was sold for removal to Hancock and Gore (sawmillers from Ipswich). During the 10 or so years it became one of the great big wonderful playgrounds for the D’Aguilar children.
Go Back
Explore The Map
WE ARE Seeking
Your Stories
We’re on the lookout for local memories, photos, and memorabilia that tell the stories of our community.
VISIT
10am to 2pm
Tue | Wed | Fri| Sat
& Every 3rd Sunday
Address
109 Archer Street, Woodford, Queensland, Australia,
Markets
Woodford Country Markets
are held on the 3rd Sunday of
each month from 7am to noon.