Barcaldine

We took the Spirit of Outback back from Longreach to Rockhampton. The train stopped for half an hour at Barcaldine.

Barcaldine is a quiet town but has significant historic importance as being the birth place of the Australian labour movement and the Labor Party.

A plaque reads :

" This monument . . . is in recognition of the stalwart men and women of the west, who, through their courage, determination and dedication to the principles, objectiives and ideals of the Union Movement, played a leading role in the formation of Australia's Labour and Political Movement which emerged from beneath this Tree of Knowledge in 1891, and spearheaded the many reforms which were to result in a vastly improved way of life for Australians generally."

The Tree of Knowledge is no longer there, someone poisoned it a few years ago. The lady in the tourist shop at the railway station said "It wasn't us Liberals!" In its place a permanent memorial will be built.