The Pioneer Tracks of Queensland Gallery
Nebo, Isaac Area

The Pioneer Tracks of Queensland Gallery is a collection of original works and artefacts based on the life and times of Pioneer and Photographer John Henry Mills. The Gallery based at The MAC Nebo was privately funded by Kevin Maloney (Managing Director of The Marley Accommodation Centres 'TheMAC') who is a great admirer of the historical value of Nebo has to offer, 'The Frontier Bar and Grill' which is based on the same theme and is a great way to top off the Historical experience.

John Henry Mills emigrated from England with his parents in 1865 at 14 years of age. After a few years experience as a Policemen, John Henry became a professional photographer when the colony of Queensland had been in existence for only 13 years and photography was a relatively new art requiring great expertise. He travelled widely around Queensland with his partners William Boag (Boag & Mills) and Albert Reckitt (Reckitt & Mills). As a result he has provided today's generations with a remarkable photographic record of Queensland as it was at that time. The quality of the photographs, not just the setting up of the scene and the posing of the subjects, but in their longevity, is something to be admired.

Reckitt & Mills left Mackay in 1881 to join the rush to the newly discovered Nebo gold field. The township that had sprung up on the site was named Mount Britton. John Henry became a professional goldminer and beekeeper in addition to continuing to provide a photographic record of life on a goldfield.

The unceasing quest for Gold continued with more heartbreak than success, but the lure of Gold and his love for Mount Britton kept him there long after other prospectors had given up.