A Part of Buderim's History

The Farms

by Joyce Short
September 2011

Farming became exceptionally important during the war as it meant Australia had to have a reliable food source, not only for all it citizens but all its armed forces too.  Later it had to feed the thousands of American forces who were posted in Australia for years, plus food for the several P.O.W. camps out here also.

Farming was a protected industry and the farmers were expected to grow more and more food in spite of the fact most young men had joined the armed forces and gone from the farms. 

Daylight saving was introduced for the War Years in a bid to get the farmers working an extra hour a day, and of course they obliged. 

The Womens Land Army was formed to help the farmers cope.  On Buderim a large empty house was taken over as a Land Army Camp.  It housed up to 20 or so girls with a Matron in Charge.  A Utility truck took the girls out daily to the designated farms employing them and back to camp each evening.  They gave very valuable help for some years.

Italian P.O.W’s in their distinctive maroon clothes were also billeted on some farms, but were not allowed to be seen much in public.  Most could not speak English, although one man sent to Buderim could, as prior to the War he had traveled through Australia as a member of an Italian Opera Company.  Sometimes of an evening the air, around the farm he was at, would pulsate to the beautiful songs he sang and neighbours would go to their windows to listen.  It was probably great therapy for the man and it was certainly a joy to the neighbours.