General News
27 May, 2025
Family influences town’s history - Tilse Street
TILSE Street today is well known for the many residential homes and the spectacular sunsets surrounding Mareeba. It connects at the end of Costin Street, then meets into a T-intersection with McIver Road.
But why was this road named Tilse Street? It was named circa 1968 to honour and remember the contribution of the Tilse family.
The 1850s gold rush brought merchant sailor, Ferdinand Johann Tilse, from Danzig, Prussia, to New South Wales, hoping to strike it rich. Come 1861, he was better known as “Fred”, acquiring a property in the Upper Hunter district from the explorer W.C. Wentworth.
In November 1862, his wife Elizabeth and their three sons departed from Hamburg aboard The Alfred to join him.
Charles Frederick Tilse, eldest son, dedicated his time to helping on the property and was also introduced to mining. In the 1870s, he followed the Charters Towers gold rush and married Mary Hannah Harris. They had five sons, Charles (Lou), Carl (Monty), Arthur, Alfred and Rupert (Eddie).
Charles mined as far as Western Australia, but was drawn back to Far North Qld in the early 1900s, with records stating he was residing in Constance Street, Mareeba in 1909.
One of their sons, Carl had also settled in Mareeba, and it wasn’t long before his four brothers followed. The Tilse family contributed to the mining and agricultural industries that defined Mareeba’s economy at
the time.
The two eldest boys, Charles and Carl, began their mining careers as children. Among their mining endeavours included gold extraction at the Minnie Moxham outside Mareeba and tin mining in Tinaroo.
Middle son Arthur eventually moved to Brisbane, while Alf and Rupert involved themselves in commercial activities such as a Boot Store, Men’s Outfitters, Blue Bird Café, Tilse’s Café, Tilse Bros Garage and more. They both held Commission Agent licenses.
Following the introduction of tobacco, Alf and Rupert established a farm named “Loralworth” on the outskirts of the town. In 1938, this farm was sold to Mr McIver, leading to the subsequent naming of the road that passes St Stephen’s College on McIver Road.
The families participated in local events and endorsed neighbourhood initiatives. Alf was instrumental in establishing the Ore Producers and Prospectors Association and actively engaged in the Chamber of Commerce and the Motorbike Racing Club – the club held races on the track of the local Mareeba Turf Club.
By the late 1920s, the third generation of Mareeba Tilses had grown and began to make a significant impact on their community.
Among them was Charles – we have a Charles in each generation – who owned an irrigation and electrical business in Byrnes Street.
In the 1930s, he recognised the importance of radio and its potential influence in Far North Queensland and become the local Radiola dealer.
Chas organised, facilitated, and served as Master of Ceremonies for the popular Talent Quest and concerts held at the Mareeba School of Arts, with proceeds going to the ambulance.
As a founding committee member of the Mareeba Rodeo Association, he installed amplifiers during the local rodeo around the arena of Davies Park, out of goodwill, dedicating his skills to community service.
Many Tilses have worked in diverse trades over the 118 years following the first Tilse arrival in Mareeba. Their contributions have made a substantial impact on Mareeba, demonstrating how one family’s efforts can greatly contribute to the development of a community.
Alf, an avid photographer, was elected as a member of National Geographic in 1934.
He not only left a significant pictorial history for his family but also captured events and activities within the surrounding region, providing a valuable insight into the history of Mareeba and its district.
The Tilse family has left a legacy towards Mareeba history and continues to do so to this day.
The Names That Made Mareeba - By Irene McDermott
