20210730 Qld Blackall

20210730 Here we are once again travelling along the Landsborough Highway heading to Blackall, home to Blade shearer Jack Howe who put Blackall on the map in 1892, when he set a world record by shearing 321 sheep in seven hours and 40 minutes, but Blackall has now inherited a fibreglass elephant as a reminder to Blackall's early heritage. Donated by Bob Perry, a descendant of the circus troupe that juggled its way into the district in the 1860s.

The B sign as you enter Blackall coming from Barcaldine is a new community art project representing what it means to live in the Blackall region. It was the vision of two local women who collected photographs from locals and visitors.

Camping on the Bacoo River in Blackall for the next few day where Des walks back and forth checking his pots and showing off his catch to fellow campers, while I spend my time at the Library trying to catch up on my blog, thanks to Optus who have no coverage in most of the outback.

Every day this chap would turn up on his horse cracking his whip and stopping at each van for his daily chat. Someone offered the horse a carrot and were told he's a horse not a rabbit.

While Des is catching yabbies others are not so lucky but at least they figured out what was eating there bate. There was a Philippine lady camped beside us so we called her over and asked if she wanted the turtle to make soup, but she declined with a giggle.

The lucky Turtle scurries back to the water and in a hurry thankful to be free from his trap.

I took a walk to Ram Park where you can find a collection of old buildings filled with displays and old wares and stories of Blackall’s colourful history.

As I wonder the grounds I take a step back in time of how our pioneers once lived.

A meat safe is a ventilated cupboard made of perforated zinc, where meat was stored in the 1800s in Australia, although the meat didn't last long in our hot Australian summer. It was often hung up in a cool place on the verandah or from a shady tree.

I'm assuming it's some kind of grader but I'm sure Bruce Jeffery's will know.

 The circus purchased its first elephant in the 1920s, they once had up to nine at one stage, it became the last circus in Australia to tour with its iconic elephants. The Elephant now stands as a reminder that it was in Blackall that one of the country's largest circuses, Perry Bros, experienced its successful rebirth.

The people's sign in Blackall stretches for 250 metres along a fenceline as you enter the town, each of the eight letters stands at 7m high and 4.4m wide, the use of 330 photos taken by community residents have made it a talking point near and far.

BY FROM BLACKALL