Negative - Two Camel Teams Loading Wood, Ooldea, South Australia, circa 1919

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Summary:: Two camel teams loading wood in Ooldea, South Australia. Dated to circa 1919. Ooldea was the source of wood for all stations across the Nullarbor plane. An inscription on the bottom reads 'Camels, Sand, Loading. 1919'.

The camels and their cameleers helped carry supplies inland for the mining and sheep industries, aided the building of the Overland Telegraph Line, the Canning Stock Route, major fence lines and the Trans-Australia and Central Australian railways. They carried pipe sections for the Goldfields Water Supply, supplied goods to inland towns, mining camps, sheep and cattle stations and also Aboriginal communities. Wagons hauled by Camels moved wool from sheep stations to railheads, pulled scoops in the construction of dams, and helped with ploughing and other farm work.
Description:: Black and white negative.
Description Of Content:: Two camel teams loading wood with four men standing in or near the carts and the words 'Camels, Sand, Loading. 1919' inscribed on the bottom.
Acquisition Information:: Copied from Neil Gillies, 1987

Discipline:

Technology

Tagged with:	camel trains, camels, carriages, drays wagons, railway lines, woodpiles
Themes this item is part of:	Muslim Collections at Museum Victoria, Images & Image Making Collection, Transport Collection, The Biggest Family Album in Australia Collection
Primary Classification:	ROAD TRANSPORT
Secondary Classification:	Camels
Tertiary Classification:	camel trains
Inscriptions:	On front: 'Camels, Sand, Loading. 1919'.
Format:	Negative: Black & White; 35 mm
Place & Date Depicted:	Ooldea, South Australia, Australia, 1919
References:	http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/198801/camels.down.under.htm viewed 28.04.2009. http://camelfarm.com/camels/camels_australia.html, viewed 13.05.2009. http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00128/en/camels/history_light.htm, viewed 13.05.2009. Stevens, Christine, 'Tin Mosques and Ghantowns : A History of Afghan Cameldrivers in Australia', Paul Fitzsimons: Alice Springs (2002).