Barcaldine - home of the trade union movement

We spent a little while in Barcaldine - very clean and tidy town. The Top Tourist park was really nice, only slight problem is that the park is right on the main road from Barcaldine to Blackall. They put on a billy tea and damper several afternoons a week - it's actually put on we found out by a chap (Tom Lockie) who runs a tourist trip round the surrounds; so he uses it to advertise his tours. Interesting bloke as he knows all about the area.
A few years ago the "Tree of Knowledge" was poisoned - money was raised to commemorate the tree and what is means to unionists.

This is the 'sculpture'

 

A photo of a photo of the old tree.

The remains of the tree were saved and the 'sculpture' was built around it.

Viewed from below

Night shot

Tree with the old railway station in the background.

Below tells the story of the shearers strike.

Relief spot!!!!!!!!!!!

Notice the little blue cart in front of the fire engine - it was designed to be pulled by goats - and was used to deliver water.

Bicycle built for 2......... 

No - I haven't got religion.

The interior of the church has not changed.

The windmill in the main street still works - it activates a fountain.

This is where we had lunch one day. the garden has 800 roses.

Next stop for us will be the gemfields to do some fossicking.