Ah Barcaldine the home of the ALP and unionism. Didn’t expect to find much of interest here and wasn’t disappointed. Everything focusses on the shearers strike of 1891 and the subsequent rise of unionism and the union formation of the ALP. The so-called “tree of knowledge” which these days is not much more than a fossil is enshrined in a huge monument dedicated to the meeting place for those originally discussing the formation of the Australian Labor Party. I must admit as a commemorative sight it is well done….
Then there is the Australian Workers Heritage Centre, a village dedicated to unionism, Labor Party and the continuing fight against the capitalists. Again, well done and to some probably very creditable…
All of this is dedicated to the workers struggles against the proletariat and the stories of the rise of individuals within the Labor movement. The old buildings, the displays, the site itself is all very well done and is unquestionably interesting.
Barcaldine has an interesting history – if you walk the main street it features 5 pubs of the original 7 and nearly every building has an information panel in front outlining the number of times it burnt down and was subsequently rebuilt ( all at least 3 times) since the late 1800’s up to as late as circa 1952.
These are but a sample of the information panels scattered around the town but it is good to see them and follow the historic town walk.
This leads us on to Longreach but as we spent a lot more time in that town I think I need to devote a whole post to it so… wait for the next instalment.
What I did forget to include previously was reference to the “Black Stump”. Situated in Blackall, the last place we visited before Barcaldine it is hard to rationalise its significance in the Australian idiom. It is simply a stump upon which a theodolite was placed at a time when a land survey took place and it was considered a datum point for measurements.
But it is iconic……
We have been beyond the black stump before and since visiting it.
3 Responses
Nothing says ‘Aussie workers struggle’ better than a cheap arse Japanese car!
Regards,
g@z.
Well, now I know that there really is a Black Stump where you can get ‘beyond’ – and that it is in Blackall!
I note that you were very restrained in your accolades to the birth of the Union Movement, but you did acknowledge the worth of the buildings etc so well done in your even-handed reporting.
Cheers
John & Jan
Dad is softening!