John Mackay (Australian pioneer)

John Mackay
Born	26 March 1839 Inverness, Inverness-shire, Scotland
Died	11 March 1914 South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Occupation	Explorer, Sailor, Harbourmaster
Spouse(s)	Marion

John Mackay (26 March 1839, in Inverness, Scotland – 11 March 1914) was an explorer, sailor and harbourmaster, best known for founding the city of Mackay in Australia. He was associated with Henry Ling Roth.

Mackay led an exploration party who was the first Europeans to cross the Clarke Range west of Mackay. He also participated in blackbirding, the practise of coercing and kidnapping South Sea Islanders as slave labourers.

Mackay died in 1914 at St Helen's Hospital, South Brisbane and was buried in Balmoral Cemetery.

The city of Mackay is named after him.

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