One of the must do’s while in Longreach is a visit to the Stockman’s Hall of Fame situated opposite the Qantas Founders Museum. It’s a building that cannot be missed with its huge Comet Windmill clearly visible as you drive into town along the Lansborough Highway.

The Aboriginal Stockman

The Stockman’s Hall of Fame pays due homage to the early Aboriginal men and women who helped pioneer pastoral farming this far inland. Huge stations needed skilled horsemen to help drive sheep and cattle enormous distances on a seasonal basis and were ultimately responsible for many of the ‘stock’ routes we use today to cross Australia’s outback. The stations also needed domestic help with cooking, cleaning and child care and many Aboriginal women are acknowledged for the important part they played.

Many of Australia’s famous stockmen are paid tribute around the impressive building as well as those people who have made significant contributions in opening up and helping in the development of Australia’s interior.

This also includes the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia with a display showing the history of the service, its founder: Rev. John Flynn and even one of their retired twin-engined Beech Aircraft hanging from the ceiling – far removed from the original DH50 biplanes provided as part of the initial contract with Qantas.

Rural Development

The displayed history of the rural development of the outback begins with the Aboriginal people going back as far as 60,000-years, the arrival of the British and the great explorers. Later grazing and mining and the many industries that serve, and have developed from, them.

Examples of early settlers timber houses, implements, wagons and clothing are displayed as well as farm machinery, wool balers, shearing tools, horse saddles, whips among many others and historical documentation that has survived the years.

Communications

Over distances as vast as the Australian outback, the ability to communicate is essential and the Hall of Fame has a display showing forms of messaging from the early morse-code telegraph, through to the manual and automatic telephone systems, radio and today’s computers and smartphones.

Transportation

Just like forms of communication over the years, technological progress has had a major impact on transport. From the early days of settlement when the only transport options were by foot or horse, bullocks, wagons and trains, all played their part in moving goods, cattle and wool but eventually the road train became king being faster, cheaper and more efficient in transporting over long distances. Normally a road train pulls 3-trailers with a length of up to 53-metres but the longest ever assembled, though not at all practical, combined 79-trailers, measured 1,018-metres and weighed a mighty 1,072.3-tonnes. The single prime mover pulled the trailers just 8KM but would have been impossible to navigate anything but straight roads. 

A show with a difference

Perhaps the best experience, though, is the live display that takes place in the arena behind the museum. Here the highly entertaining, educational and amusing show takes you through the life of a stockman, his horses, donkeys, cattle dogs and a Jigsaw. The highly experienced and multi-talented stockman, entertainer, singer and comedian, Lachie Cossor and his wife, provide an excellent introduction to the hardworking life of an outback stockman/woman and his/her animal companions.

Highly recommended for all ages and the chance to meet the stars of the show up close. And where else are you going to see a singing, guitar playing stockman riding a huge brahman bull… saddled?

And yes, the bull’s name really is Jigsaw and he likes nothing more than being stroked right between the eyes… honestly.