Shearing – Moreton Bay and More

The early days of Barcaldine, in colour.

The Wool Industry A sheep station was set up in the district in 1863, and named Barcaldine Downs. The owner of that station had been a slaveholder in British Guiana, and employed South Sea Islander labour on the station in the early years. Presumably, the man had seen a successful business model in operation, andContinue reading “The early days of Barcaldine, in colour.”

The early days of Charleville, in colour.

Out and about in Charleville. Sadly, Clement Lindley Wragge (left) was not involved in the breaking of the drought in 1902. Meteorologist Wragge visited Charleville in September of that year, to fire off some Steiger Vortex Cannons, which he was convinced would draw the rain from the clouds. (If fired directly at said clouds.) MrContinue reading “The early days of Charleville, in colour.”

The Station Where John Hayes was The Odd Man at the Shed

This article was published in the Western Star and Roma Advertiser in 1875, the year before John Hayes and Kaspar Hahn had their fatal confrontation. It was the story of the Lansdowne Station and the hardships endured by the people who set it up. THE BARCOO—LANSDOWN STATION “Lansdown is one of the principal stations inContinue reading “The Station Where John Hayes was The Odd Man at the Shed”

The Odd Man About The Shed

John Hayes was an Irish labourer who had arrived in Queensland in 1873 on the Landsborough. There might well be a fortune to be made by a man who would work hard. Perhaps after a few years he could own some land, have a family. Perhaps he could send some money home to Ireland. ItContinue reading “The Odd Man About The Shed”

STRAY LEAVES FROM THE NOTES OF A “NEW CHUM.”

Some of Windmill’s finest writing is to be found in this wild flight of the imagination, published in the Moreton Bay Courier on April 14, 1849. Our Windmill Reporter conjures up an imaginary journal of a recent arrival, detailing the New Chum’s journey to the Alpine region of the Northern Darling Downs. Windmill anticipates flyingContinue reading “STRAY LEAVES FROM THE NOTES OF A “NEW CHUM.””