General News
11 April, 2025
UNSTOPPABLE FORCE — The Maffescioni dynasty — By Brian Lennen
A familiar name throughout Maryborough, the Maffescioni's have built a legacy of service around the community.
Maryborough wasn’t a place gifted with rich agricultural soil or an abundance of water.
Its forests were abundant, but contained little quality timber. It was mainly “Mulga scrub”.
A climb up the Bristol Hill tower indicates how enclosed with forest we are.
I have mentioned how the Italian Dellavedovas were initially attracted to harvesting this timber for firewood, charcoal, mine-stays and to fire the steam engines essential for the power supply.
On January 28, 1890, Bernardo Maffescioni arrived in Dunolly after sailing on the Coptic with no English and 15 shillings in his pocket.
Bernardo’s greatest asset was that he wasn’t afraid of hard work and he wanted a better life. Many people today could learn from his enterprise.
Initially he worked for little (enough to cover the bare necessities).
In 1895 he mustered up enough money to purchase a horse and wagon. With his incredible work ethic and his business acumen things took off.
In 1909 he married Mabel D’Agostini and they had 12 children.
Within a few years Bernardo had a large workforce involved in exploiting the timber resources.
The production of fence posts, mining-stays and sleepers created such a demand that he struggled to keep up the supply.
Bernardo was a born entrepreneur, a determined achiever. This family tradition was passed onto his descendants.
Fortunately they have continued to contribute to the future prosperity of the town.
Their first generation of children took on many and varied challenges. Gertie Male’s family were electricians who served the town.
They, Brian first and his son, are known as “Shocko”. Bernie (Bernard) created “Mafcah” sawbenches, many residents cut firewood and required maintenance. Sawbenches were quite prevalent.
Jack had a grocery store and repaired and sharpened saws (a vital resource).
He established a thriving real estate business. His sons, Peter and Charles, joined forces to establish Maffescioni Motors.
They moved to High Street in partnership providing automotive and smash repairs.
Also immediately they purchased their first bus and took over the RACV service business. The addition of more buses brought the expansion into hire drive services and coaches.
A break up of the partnership saw Peter eventually settle in Derby Road where he established a fleet of buses.
Meanwhile Charlie and Christine remained in High Street concentrating on smash repairs, automotive servicing and of course the RACV.
His sons, Adam and Carl are now running the business.
Tom ran the corner shop opposite Phillips Gardens. His son Daryl and grandsons Aaron and Dean have established themselves as quality builders.
Tom continued his father’s timber business after returning from the war. He carted timber all over the state.
Daughter Emma married Tony Fiorini and established a fruit and grocery store in High Street (now the Red Star).
She ran the business for many years before passing it on to son, Dennis and wife Bruna.
Dennis became a personality in his own right. With his mop of afro hair and band mates they played rock n roll all over central Victoria.
He played alongside the legendary “Bongo Bob” and “Surfie” Sandow.
A highlight was playing as the backing band for a youthful Johnny Farnham concert at the Princes Park oval in front of several thousand screaming teenyboppers.
The trio were regulars at the Malone’s Railway Hotel on Friday nights. They were paid $10 each and all the beer they could drink.
Dennis is still receiving royalties from the USA for his hit single “By My Side”.
When it comes to personalities, Lou Maffescioni was as big as they come (literally).
After purchasing the Flagstaff Hotel in High Street in 1957 from the Crameri family, Lou was the quintessential host.
For decades he was a leading figure for the Lions Club.
He wasn’t afraid to take on any challenge to raise money for any needy cause.
He was a much loved character, especially dressing up for street parades.
On the shelf at the back of the bar Lou had jars of pickled mussels and pickled scallops.
If you were having a quiet ale at the bar he would inevitably open a jar or jars and with buttered bread and pepper they were devoured (for free).
The Maffescioni family has certainly left its mark on the town and will continue to do so long into the future.