In October 1941, 100 acres was transferred through a deed of trust to the then Landsborough Shire Council by three sisters, Elizabeth (Bessie), Mabel and Mary Thynne. The reserve was named as a tribute to the memory of their mother Mary Thynne, whose maiden name was Cairncross. The reserve's ongoing conservation was secured through this deed of trust.
The sisters could never have imagined what an incredible conservation legacy they provided. Without their foresight, this remarkable natural heritage site might not have been here to be enjoyed by visitors today.
Andrew Joseph Thynne (Mary Cairncross's husband) purchased the land where the reserve is situated in 1902 as an investment. Prior to this the land was part of the holdings of Issac Burgess and William Hayes.
While the sister's gifted the land, the process of transforming the 'patch of scrub' into a place for the whole community to enjoy, is largely due to the dedication and hard work of the Rotary Club of Maleny. In October 1959 the Club, in consultation with Landsborough Shire Council and Bessie Thynne, embarked on their first project; to develop the rainforest reserve on Mountain View Road. Rotarians and their families worked tirelessly for more than 20 years, volunteering thousands of hours to create walking tracks, remove weeds, build bridges, remove rubbish, research plants, build picnic facilities and make signs. The Landsborough Shire Council assisted with funding for construction and improving parking facilities.
On 12 December 1960, the Governor of Queensland, Sir Henry Abel Smith, officially opened Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve with a large community event at the site. The official guests included the surviving donor of the land, Bessie Thynne, Vic Wardell and Norm Tesch from the Rotary Club of Maleny, and Cr H.W Anning from Landsborough Shire Council. A guard of honour of Maleny Girl Guides, Cubs and Scouts, Boys Brigade and Girls Life Brigade, and Junior Red Cross also attended on the day.
In 1964 a cairn was erected as a memorial to Mary Cairncross and her family, including special mention of Ted (Edward) Thynne, brother of the Thynne sisters and long-time Maleny resident. Sir Henry Abel Smith returned to Maleny on 22 August 1964 to officially unveil the cairn.
On 11 December 1966, Bessie Thynne donated a further five acres of land to Landsborough Shire Council. This land was adjacent to her home.
In 1997, Caloundra City Council (formerly Landsborough Shire Council) built the first education centre with a grant from the Federal Government. In 2017 the current Rainforest Discovery Centre was opened to help meet the needs of increasing visitor numbers to the site.
The Sunshine Coast Council acknowledges the incredible conservation legacy created by the Thynne sisters and the extraordinary contribution of the Maleny Rotary Club to Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.
Jinibara - the first custodians
This is Jinibara country. In 2012 Traditional Owners had their rights formally asserted by the Native Title Tribunal across the Maleny area, as well as parts of the adjacent Glass House Mountains, Somerset, Moreton Bay and Brisbane Council areas.
The Rotary story
The history of the transformation of the reserve into a recreation and tourist attraction is closely tied to the Rotary Club of Maleny.
Bessie Thynne
Bessie, the youngest of the three sisters who gifted the reserve to the community lived for more than 40 years adjacent to the rainforest she loved.