At the heart of everything this place has achieved are its people. Their stories of resilience, creativity, and unity make it a place like no other.
As dawn broke over Horsehead Creek, a light mist lifted from the calm waters, and a small white punt glided silently from the jetty. The boat made its way toward the Mersey River, where the currents seemed to carry whispers from generations past.
In Quoiba, local legend ‘Pop Hicks’ left a lasting mark on the community. Born in 1891, he was a keen footballer with Latrobe Football Club, becoming a leading goal kicker in the 1920s.
In his older years, Pop turned to fishing, building a simple jetty for his beloved boat, the Wendy. He found joy in life’s simple pleasures; never owning a car, choosing instead to travel by water or riding his trusty motor scooter into town. Pop’s presence was as familiar as the morning mist, his boat or scooter always filled with the day’s catch.
Young boys on the riverbank watched with envious eyes as Pop returned with his boat full of fish. Each arrival was a celebration, every basket of shimmering scales a story waiting to be shared.
As he scootered over the Horsehead Creek bridge to the Formby Hotel in Devonport to sell his catch to patrons, or to deliver one to the nuns at Our Lady of Lordes School, the smell of freshly filleted fish trailed behind him, drawing locals eager to savour the bounty.
Quoiba was more than just Pop’s fishing tales; it was a thriving community. Neighbours lent a hand, shared resources, and enjoyed laughter, even passing around a fish or two when times were tough.
As the railways gave way for roads, and rail wagons became B-Doubles, companies like Ovaltine and Edgell created new chapters for the families of Quoiba. Each story, like the ripples in the water, spread outwards, touching lives and fostering a sense of belonging, anchoring these communities firmly on the map
At just 23 years old, Pop Hicks made history. It was 1914, and at the Henley on Mersey in Latrobe, he stood on the edge of the 40-foot high dive, the crowd below buzzing with anticipation. With the wind tugging at his clothes and his heart pounding, he took the leap. His dive was perfect, and when he hit the water, the crowd roared in delight. He had won Gold.
That was only the beginning. Over the next few years, Pop added ten more gold medals to his name, each one a testament to his skill, strength, and dedication. Alongside his brother, they became legends, entertaining the crowds at events for hours. Their names became synonymous with triumph, their victories a source of pride for Quoiba, and legends in the local sporting community.
Events like the Mersey Regatta, apple festivals, sports matches, markets, and dances were more than pastimes—they were where people found belonging. Neighbours became friends, strangers became family, and both individual achievements and community spirit were celebrated. That spirit continues to flow through Quoiba today.
A special thank you to Dianne Horsham (nee Hicks) for sharing her memories and photos of her grandfather.
Special mention to Tony Sutton and John Ackroyd from the Lions Club of Devonport Mersey for collating Pops story.
