"Barcaldine played a significant role in the Australian labour movement and the birth of the Australian Labor Party. In 1891, it was one of the focal points of the 1891 Australian shearers' strike, with the Eureka Flag flying over the strike camp. The landmark Tree of Knowledge, under which the strikers met, stood outside the railway station. In 2006, persons unknown poisoned the tree with the herbicide Roundup, which led to its demise.
One of the first May day marches in the world took place during the strike on 1 May 1891 in Barcaldine. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that of the 1,340 men that took part, 618 were mounted on horses. Banners carried included those of the Australian Labor Federation, the Shearers' and Carriers' Unions, and one inscribed 'Young Australia'. The leaders wore blue sashes and the Eureka Flag was carried. The Labor Bulletin reported that cheers were given for "the Union", "the Eight-hour day", "the Strike Committee" and "the boys in gaol". "
After an hour or so looking around town, the convoy continue a short distance to a free, camping, ground at Lloyd Jones Weir on, I believe, Lagoon Creek a tributary of the Alice River. Billeeeeeee, Jules, Marj and I settled in but where was Mel? After a short time all came to realize that she may have lost her way. After some discussion Billeeeeeee and Jules volunteered to go and look for Mel while Marj and I would remain at the camp in case she eventually found her way. As it later transpired, Mel had indeed became lost and decided to continue on to our next planned stop at Longreach about 100 km further west, where in the end she was found by the volunteer trackers. All was returned to normal when we were reformed the group at Longreach next day.
(Click on a photo to enlarge)
A stroll along the banks of the Weir
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Hey Steve, can I be a pain and ask to see some photos of your camps, I mean about what's doing in camp and the camp area itself.
ReplyDeleteReally wish I was following you guys. Helen