Greenmount Homestead at Walkerston, inland from Mackay, was built by the Cook family a hundred years ago and with no descendants to carry it on the homestead was given to the community of Mackay, with the proviso that the last maid Gloria remain in residence.A grand timber home topped with a red iron roof and surrounded by tall palms it sits high on a hill. Inside, timber walls and pressed metal ceilings 14ft high. It is in original condition and with window glass that was brought out from England floating in tanks of molasses.There’s a central dining room with sitting room and bedrooms on either side. Each room has French doors opening on to the wide airy verandah. While our guide plays the pianola ‘to give just the right atmosphere’ Gloria shows us the sweeping views across the paddocks to Mackay. How grand it is.