General News
27 March, 2026
Talbot local honoured
A memorial plaque recognising Max Kau's contributions to Talbot was unveiled last week.
A memorial plaque honouring the work and community vision of Talbot local Max Kau has been unveiled, a fitting and lasting tribute of his contribution to the town’s development in recent decades.
A little over a quarter century ago, much of Scandinavian Cresent, which includes the multi-award winning London House Community Garden, Fossickers Fine Food and Eatery at London House, Dr Sharples’ Clinic, and Market Square providing a base for the renowned Talbot Farmers’ Market, was comprised of demolished and ruinous gold rush buildings referred to by the community as the “bomb site”.
At that time Mr Kau, accom-panied with his wife Marie, moved to Talbot after a long and distinguished career in children’s welfare, for which he had received an honour.
He had considerable capabilities and experience in government relations and grant funding, and he was determined to use his skills to benefit his new community.
Mr Kau persuaded the council to purchase the “bomb site” for $40,000 to achieve his vision of a vibrant community hub.
He then engaged a willing team who shared his vision establishing the Talbot Task Force, which later became Talbot Action Inc.
With the ready help of the community, the “bombsite” was tidied over countless weekend sessions followed by fun barbecues.
Meanwhile, Mr Kau was busy sourcing the grants needed to turn the vision of a vibrant community hub into reality.
By 2002, the complex was completed and opened. It would be a model for numerous community groups and council representatives from other shires to visit over time and emulate.
Max would continue to work to ensure the complex delivered the changing services the Talbot community and endless visitors required. Mr Kau’s initiated the Talbot Farmers’ Market after a community survey indicated residents wanted access to fresh fruit and vegetables.
The successful community campaign to establish Talbot as a stopping station for the Mary-borough passenger sector was another of his many achievements.
Following his passing, the committee of Talbot Action Inc agreed unanimously that his splendid community contribution should be honoured with a memorial plaque, and with Mrs Kau’s guidance and with council permission the project got underway.
Last Saturday, March 21, with a group of the original “Task Force” members who spoke glowingly about Mr Kau’s contribution, and with his son and daughter Tim and Belinda present, together with Marie’s son Jonathan and their respective partners, Mrs Kau unveiled an elegant memorial plaque at the front of London House, honouring the restoration and redevelopment of Talbot’s centre.
President of Talbot Action Inc Chris Meddows-Taylor praised the work of Mr Kau over the years he had known him, and said the plaque was a tribute to his accomplishments.
“I had the immense reward to work with Max for 20 years on countless projects for Talbot,” he said.
“The memorial plaque is a tribute to Max’s contribution, but also hopefully an inspiration to other communities, through his work, as to what can be achieved when there is a clear vision for the future and the commitment to realise that vision.
“I have absolutely no doubt that he would want that as his enduring legacy.”