Barcaldine, Queensland

Barcaldine is a town in Queensland, Australia. It's known for its history, especially its role in the Australian labour movement. The town is often called the "birthplace of the Australian Labor Party". As of 2021, Barcaldine had a population of 1,540.^[1]

The town was founded in the 1880s as a stop on the Central Western railway line. It quickly became an important hub for the local sheep farming industry.

In 1891, Barcaldine was the centre of a big strike called the 1891 Australian shearers' strike. Shearers were workers who cut the wool off sheep. They were unhappy with their pay and working conditions. They went on strike to protest. The strike was a major event in Australian history and helped lead to the creation of the Australian Labor Party. The party was officially formed a few years later. A famous tree, called the Tree of Knowledge, stood in the town. It was where the striking shearers met.

Barcaldine is located in central Queensland, about 520 kilometres (320 miles) west of Rockhampton. The town is in a flat, dry area. The climate is hot and dry, with very hot summers.

Places to see there are:

• Australian Workers Heritage Centre: This museum tells the story of Australia's working people. It has exhibits on strikes, farming, and mining.
• Tree of Knowledge Memorial: The original tree died in 2006. A special memorial was built to remember its history.
• Barcaldine and District Historical Museum: This museum has old tools and photos that show what life was like in the town long ago.

1. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Barcaldine (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 8 February 2023.