Olds Engineering is an ongoing business in Maryborough established after William Olds returned to Australia at the close of World War II, with light engineering and the manufacture of OHV marine and stationary engines.
The business was closed during the depression and William worked under his house on the corner of North St and Ferry St in Maryborough, next to where the business continues to operate today.
They used to run tours through the Olds foundry and engineering workshop. The front of the workshop has “The Olds’ Engine House” Visitors Centre on the front of it, however, they don’t cater to tourists anymore with insurance making it unviable.
They were happy to have a chat with us though, and you can have a look at some of the gear they make and have made through the front windows.
The namesake of the brown sign is the Olds Engine, an OHV engine used for marine applications. The products they have and do manufacture is far broader. Marine propellers, horse stirrups, bells, park bench legs, the Boot-off Beetle, replica cannons, street bollards and street signs, and just about any custom and unique project.
The Mary Ann Steam Train in Maryborough which runs in Queens Park is a replica of the original steam engine. The original Mary Ann was the first steam engine built in Queensland and was lost and forgotten for more than 100 years until the replica was created by Olds Engineering.
They used to make the OLDStone Celt, a rattleback which spins in one direction. When spun clockwise, it spins and slows naturally until it comes to a stop. Spin it anti-clockwise, it rocks back and forth stopping the spinning motion then reversing the spin.