LLOYD JONES WEIR - BARCALDINE Qld

  Another 100 odd Kms and we reach Balcaldine and the site of the "Tree of Knowledge" . The following extract from Wikipedia describes it's historical significance:

  "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

   

The Shoe Tree

JERICHO Qld

  An overnight stop at Redbank Park near the tiny hamlet of Jericho turned into two since the quiet and peaceful setting made it hard to leave. We have also heard that another "Grey Nomad" member, Colleen, will be joining us for the trip to Darwin and the west, it will take her a couple of days to reach us so we need to slow up until then.
 Jericho tries hard to be noticed; with only a General Store and a Cafe they needed something of interest so they created the "World's smallest Drive-in Theatre" with room for only 36 cars, probably the total number of cars in town. Just in case this wasn't enough the community has also constructed the "Crystal Trumpeters" monument in the centre of the main ( and only) street to celebrate the biblical tale describing the fall of the walls of Jericho. I am sure that the townsfolk think it is very impressive and admire it as the routinely pass by each day.

The Jericho Drive-in

The Crystal Trumpeters

EMERALD Qld - THE CONVOY IS FORMED

 
The group is now complete with the arrival of Mel ( and Molly, the dog) who has at last caught up with us here in Emerald after a 4 day 1500 km drive from Canberra. We are staying together at the Botanical Gardens beside the Nogoa River before setting off on the next leg west to Winton via Jericho, Barcaldine and Longreach.
  Emerald can be described as a large town, at least for these parts of Qld, having a population of almost 13,000 (2011). This is our last chance to shop in the major chain stores until we reach Mt Isa, more than 800 km away, so all descended on Woolworths and Coles, the Camping and Auto stores and purchased fuel while the price was reasonable.
  The area, was first explored by Ludwig Leichardt and the town was established in 1879 as a base for the building of the western railway from Rockhampton. It is named after 'Emerald Downs Hill', a lush emerald green hill located just north of town. Emerald is now considered the hub for the Central Highlands and the gateway to the Sapphire: the largest, and one of the richest sapphire fields in the southern hemisphere. The construction of Fairbairn Dam in 1972 and the subsequent Emerald Irrigation Scheme allowed for the significant development and expansion of agriculture across the region. The dam construction, and its associated Lake Maraboon, also initiated large-scale coal mining and export within the Bowen Basin that commenced in 1977. Once famous for its reputation as a major sunflower producer, today, Cotton is grown in the area, and is processed at the Yamala Cotton Gin, while other agricultural activities include grape, citrus and grain growing.The citrus industry was severely affected by a citrus canker outbreak from 2004 until 2009. More than half a million citrus trees located around Emerald had to be destroyed. From what I saw I don't think that the orchards have recovered completely as yet.
  Back to tonight's Camp, the Botanical Gardens provide a pleasant oasis to prepare for the hot,dry and dusty trip that is before us.Sitting under the trees beside the river, I contently take delight in watching the bird-life in the cool afternoon breeze.
(Click on a photo to enlarge)

Emerald Botanical Gardens