Barcaldine, Queensland
| Barcaldine Queensland |
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 The Register of the National Estate listed, St Peters Church of England, Barcaldine, QLD. |
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 Barcaldine
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| Population: | 1,337 [1] | ||||||
| Postcode: | 4725 | ||||||
| Coordinates: | 23°34′S 145°17′E / 23.567°S 145.283°ECoordinates: 23°34′S 145°17′E / 23.567°S 145.283°E | ||||||
| Elevation: | 266.9 m (876 ft) | ||||||
| Location: |
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| LGA: | Barcaldine Region | ||||||
| State District: | Gregory | ||||||
| Federal Division: | Maranoa | ||||||
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Barcaldine (
/bɑrˈkɔːldɨn/, locally [baːˈkoːldən])[2] is a small town in Central West Queensland, Australia, approximately 520 kilometres (320 mi) by road west of the city of Rockhampton. The town is situated on Lagoon Creek, which flows into the Alice River approximately five kilometres south of the Barcaldine. This is the administrative centre of the Barcaldine region. Major industries are sheep and beef cattle rearing. The town takes its name from a sheep station called Barcaldine Downs, which was named for Barcaldine, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. At the 2006 census, Barcaldine had a population of 1,337.[1]
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". It reported the march:
In the procession every civilised country was represented doing duty for the Russian, Swede, French, Dane etc., who are germane to him in other climes, showing that Labor's cause is one the world over, foreshadowing the time when the swords shall be turned into ploughshares and Liberty, Peace and Friendship will knit together the nations of the earth.
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[edit] Facilities
Barcaldine has a public library, bowls, tennis clubs, a combined racecourse and showground near the golf course, a historical and folk museum, swimming pool and visitor information centre.[3]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Barcaldine (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=UCL303400&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
- ^ Macquarie Dictionary, Fourth Edition (2005). Melbourne, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. ISBN 1-876429-14-3
- ^ "Barcaldine". Centre for the Government of Queensland. http://queenslandplaces.com.au/barcaldine-and-barcaldine-shire. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
[edit] External links
- University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Barcaldine and Barcaldine Shire
- "Barcaldine Tree of Knowledge poisoned". Australian national news (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 2006-05-19. http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200605/s1642498.htm. Retrieved 2006-05-23.
- "Efforts to save 'Tree of Knowledge' fail". Australian national news (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 2006-06-28. http://abc.net.au/news/australia/qld/longr/200606/s1673442.htm. Retrieved 2006-06-03.
- Manifesto of the Queensland Labour Party - digitised and held by John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland, Australia.
