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July 2009 - Goat Museum
MEDIA RELEASE
Worlds's first Goat Museum planned for Queensland
The Australian Worker’s Heritage Centre at Barcaldine today announced a campaign to attract sponsorship to establish the world’s first Goat Museum.
The museum will celebrate the role of goats in the settlement of Australia’s outback. Themes of its exhibitions will include the role of goats in supporting rural families with milk, meat, skins and transport, as companions for children, in commerce, and in recreation through goat races.
As goat historian Faye Schutt points out, “Goats supplied milk, meat and skins in places where it was impossible to keep sheep. They also provided small scale transport. Usually driven by children, goat carts would take milk to the farm gate, and collect firewood and water. Teams of up to 20 goats would haul large loads – in one case, they were even used to haul a car out of a creek. There’s no doubt that many working families owed their survival in tough times to goats.”
“Goats were also used in racing and attracted keen betting interest in many Queensland centres, including Brisbane.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Workers Heritage Centre Bob Gleeson said that the museum will tell an essential story about life in the bush for generations of people. “Just about anyone who lived in the bush up to about the 1950s has a story about goats, and can tell you how important they were for many people”, he says.
He would like to make special mention of the work of Dr John de Groot of Brisbane, a past resident of Barcaldine. Dr de Groot, a Patron Member of The Australian Worker’s Heritage Centre, has generously agreed to be a Foundation Sponsor for the proposed goat museum.
Mr Gleeson announced the project team established to develop Australia’s first Goat Museum will be:
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The Australian Workers Heritage Centre – co-ordination, direction and negotiation
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Crozier Schutt Associates – historical research and concept development
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Brandi Projects – exhibition design, construction and installation
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Brothers Darcy & David Kerrigan – honorary Project Officers
Mr Gleeson said the project team, in close collaboration with sponsors, will bring the vision of the world’s first Goat Museum to reality. Ensuring this project combined with a number of other planned initiatives in progress at The Australian Worker’s Heritage Centre will significantly add to the critical mass of outstanding attractions in Outback Queensland.
Lining up for the start of the Barcoo Cup, Barcaldine (date unknown) (Courtesy Rockhampton and District Historical Society)
Further information
Mr Bob Gleeson, CEO, The Australian Worker’s Heritage Centre
M: 0419 181 940 (project information)
E: bobgleeson@westnet.com.au
Ms Faye Schutt, historian (Crozier Schutt Associates)
P: 07 3355 9023 (history of goats in Queensland)
E: fschutt@bigpond.net.au
Queensland Needs a Goat Museum
http://www.museumandhistoryservices.com
February 2008 - The Matilda Series
The exhibition of fifteen oil paintings has been acquired by the Australian Workers Heritage Centre at Barcaldine Queensland.
The story behind the birth of Waltzing Matilda (based on the writings of the late Richard Macgoffin)
Over the Christmas period of 1894 in north west Queensland, Banjo Paterson wrote the ballad 'Waltzing Matilda' to the music of an old Scottish tune 'Craigielee'. Banjo was staying at 'Dagworth Station' where in the previous September a series of events took place that helped shape Australia's most famous ballad.
The paintings will be the centrepiece of an exhibition that will be opening at the Workers Heritage Centre in 2009 - the year that Queensland celebrates it's 150th Birthday.
www.rossbell.com.au
In September 2005, 14 Sudanese and Liberian refugee teenagers were given a once-in-a-lifetime tour of Queensland's Outback. CEO Bob Gleeson's original concept came to fruition after a generous donation from Dr. John Skala of the Brisbane Travellers Medical Service. The African teenagers stayed at Wanpa-rda Matilda Outback Education Centre and they enjoyed a full itinerary which included sheep shearing, a campfire on Longreach's Thomson River and trips to other attractions such as the Blackall Woolscour, and Longreach Hall of Fame.
During the Labor Day weekend in May 2005, the 'Tree of Knowledge' offspring was planted at the Australian Workers Heritage Centre site. Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries, Hon Henry Palaszczuk officially planted the offspring. Hon Chris Cummings - Minister for Emergency Services officially opened the revamped Emergency Services Display. Milton Dick, State Secretary of the ALP officially launched a new display - Labor House.
Opening of Stage One - Women in Australia’s
Working History project
The Australian Workers Heritage Centre celebrated the opening
of Stage One of its national project - Women in Australia’s
Working History - on 20th July 2002. Locals and visitors celebrated
throughout the day, with festivities continuing into the evening,
culminating in the official opening by Queensland Premier,
Peter Beattie.
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