Negative - Camel Train, Birdsville, Queensland, circa 1930

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Summary:: A camel train containing sixty eight camels. Birdsville, Queensland, circa 1930.

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:: A camel train containing sixty eight camels walking single file through an arid landscape.
Acquisition Information:: Copied from G Ashworth, 1987

Discipline:

Technology

Tagged with:	camel trains, camels
Themes this item is part of:	Muslim Collections at Museum Victoria, Images & Image Making Collection, The Biggest Family Album in Australia Collection
Primary Classification:	ROAD TRANSPORT
Secondary Classification:	Camels
Tertiary Classification:	camel trains
Format:	Negative: Black & White; 35 mm
Place & Date Depicted:	Birdsville, Queensland, Australia, circa 1930
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).