Sunday 22nd June

Today was a better day than yesterday, although it was still quite cold early. As the day went on, it warmed up much more and the wind abated slightly. The afternoon was warm enough to do a decent bike ride. The first ride since last weekend in Ballina. The wind made up for the lack of hills as it is very flat western country here.

We have been staying in a pleasant caravan park just east of the main part of town, but I have mentioned earlier, it is close to the major attractions of the town. In other words, easy walking to the QANTAS museum and the Stockman Hall of Fame.

We walked to the Stockman Hall of Fame and Heritage Centre. It is very interesting but be prepared to read a lot and see some videos of various events. There is even a video clip that was taken on our farm, in 1984, of the mouse plague that took our sunflower crop. There is also a board relating to Lloyd Bates, from Gunnedah, who was a noted Australian rodeo rider. Sadly, he died young as a result of being crushed by cattle when loading a stock transport. He was invalided for several years after that accident.

There are many displays of articles used by the pioneers that developed this country. Many items having been made in the blacksmith shop on the property. I have memories of seeing many of these items not only on my former family farms but also on the big station I jackarooed on. Some of these items have been modernised or even mass produced for use today.

The Stockman Hall of Fame and Heritage Centre have many facets to it from the time before European settlement happened up until more recent times. A fascinating display was the old post and telegraph systems that I remember as a child, such as the old Morse code telegram machine. Memories of the constant clicking of the machine in the local Post Office. How the Postmaster ever picked up which was for his office, I will never know.

There is a large mention of the Pioneer woman of the bush and more remote towns. The hardship that many had to go through. It seems that about that time across the world that all farming families lived in seemingly very primitive conditions.

There is much mention, too, of the input of the indigenous people to help the new settlers. Some were not helpful at all and actually managed to hinder development as well as attack the settlers violently. However, there is more emphasis of the cooperation between the indigenous and non indigenous people. There are numerous boards that tell the story of the unsung deeds by both groups of people groups of people groups of people.

After that visit, we would recommend you pay a visit as it really tells the stories of how this country has grown up. It especially shows the difficulties that were experienced in the early years. Longreach is a lovely place to spend a few days.