The Strathpine and North Pine area had a significant history in timber and sugar production. The Port Royal mill, later renamed Normanby, produced rum using molasses as a by-product. Normanby Rum gained popularity and even won the Bronze Medal at the Paris International Exposition in 1878. The distillery thrived on rum production until its closure in 1968.
Ownership changed over the years, and a branch line connected the distillery to the North Coast Railway Line. Distillery production peaked in the late 1920s, reaching over 1,100 gallons (5000 Litres) of rum per day. The Bennett family managed the distillery from 1908 to 1963. The rum was processed and bottled at Castlemaine Perkins and Dalgety’s, under labels like Red Seal, Blue Jacket, and Normanby.
After the distillery closed, its remaining rum stock was purchased by Sammy McMahon. A replica distillery was established in Old Petrie Town as part of the Q150 celebrations. However, operation ceased in the early 2000s. In 2019, Guy Dalby acquired the distillery and founded Copper & Cane Distilling. Guy, a traditionally trained distiller, focuses on creating flavorful spirits using both traditional and contemporary methods.
Copper & Cane Distilling has been busy crafting remarkable gins with native botanicals and local fruits. They also plan to release a new version of Normanby rum, made with local molasses in a traditional manner.