Longreach Powerhouse Museum, the"Tree of Knowledge" and Australian Worker's Heritage Centre

Wednesday 10 July 2019 – 267 689

This morning Drew and I went for a run on the Longreach Botanical Walkway.  After showers and packing down, we went to the Longreach Powerhouse Museum.  This has the generators from the electrical plant which were in operation until the late 1980’s, as well as older models.  Some of these had been cut open so that the inner workings could be seen.  There was also a variety of other historical objects.

 http://www.magsq.com.au/museum/details.asp?ID=648

We then had a quick look around Longreach Cemetery, where we marvelled at how short life spans were in the 1890’s and 1900’s.  We then drove east to Ifracombe where we had a picnic lunch.

Next, we drove on to Barcaldine. Our first stop was the Australian Worker’s Heritage Centre 

(http://www.australianworkersheritagecentre.com.au/)

Five new things I learnt today

• ·        Many of the men who were imprisoned for conspiracy regarding the sheep shearers strikes went on to seek change through the political system.
• ·    The railway skill progression was fireman to driver to guard.  I had always assumed the driver was the highest level.
• ·        The first attempt for equal wages for female teachers was in the early 20^th century.
• ·        “ducks in the pond” was shearer’s slang for ladies approaching.
• ·        There is a tree called “Young ‘Un”, which is a clone of the “Tree of Knowledge”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

We then went to the “Tree of Knowledge” Memorial – I think the way they have created this is quite innovative. 

http://www.treeofknowledge.com.au/history.htm 

Hayden had a play on the thong-a-phone and I admired the D’arcy Doyle mural.

We have camped tonight at the Redbank camping area in Jericho, beside the Jordan River. 

https://www.outbackqueensland.com.au/attractions/redbank-park-jericho/

Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame, Longreach

Monday 8 July 2019 – 267 666

This morning we headed to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame. https://outbackheritage.com.au/ This covered many areas of outback life, from pioneering through to current times.  There was information on the RFDS and stockwork, including how some sports like campdrafting came into being. We had the opportunity to watch a stockwhip being made, and then demonstrated.

We watched the “Outback Stockman’s Show”.  This was a mix of information, demonstration, humour and singing.  Hayden absolutely loved playing with the five dogs after the show.

Some interesting things I learnt today were:

•       Sidney Kidman owned/controlled more sheep and cattle stations than I thought was possible
•         The record for a single prime mover is 79 cattle wagons, moved 8km at Kalgoorlie
•         Morse code was invented in America at the time of railways developing
•         Kelpie’s can be red, black, tan or yellow.  There was a completely yellow one in the show, called “Ding”, who looked like a Dingo
•   The measurement for the stock whip is for the plaited part only

A very full day!