The Drovers Camp
Keeping Australia's Droving History Alive
The History of The Drovers Camp
On the edge of Queensland’s vast Gulf and Northern cattle routes lies Camooweal, a small outback town with an extraordinary history.
For generations, this was one of Australia’s most important staging posts for the droving industry. Drovers travelled from across Queensland and beyond to answer the call of the stock routes. Many came from pastoral families, while Aboriginal stockmen brought exceptional horsemanship, stock handling skills and deep knowledge of Country that became essential to the success of the northern cattle industry.
From Camooweal, drovers assembled their teams, prepared their horses and supplies, and set out on journeys that would take them hundreds or even thousands of kilometres across some of Australia’s most challenging landscapes. The stories born here became part of the story of Australia itself.
Today, The Drovers Camp stands on this heritage and honours the people who lived it.
Preserving a Remarkable Droving legacy
In 1997, The Drover’s Camp Association was formed to recognise and preserve the rich history of the pioneers of Australia’s outback before it was lost.
Foundation members included notable names such as John Williamson, Slim Dusty and Ted Egan who were integral to the Association’s success and to this day it remains a thriving organisation dedicated to keeping the droving legacy alive.
The Droving Heritage Centre:
Where the Stories of Australia's Drovers
Continue to Be Told
Established in 2005, the Droving Heritage Centre at The Drover’s Camp is a place where we can showcase our rich pioneering history and the personal stories of the people who lived it to visitors from all walks of life.
Through exhibitions, photographs, artefacts, and oral histories, visitors can discover the people behind the legend and gain a deeper understanding of the industry that helped build inland Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Our collection of recorded interviews captures memories that might otherwise disappear with time. These priceless oral histories preserve the voices of the drovers who experienced life on the stock routes first-hand.
These recordings are preserved within the National Library of Australia’s collections, ensuring that future generations can continue to learn from and connect with the people who shaped this important chapter of Australian history.
The Drovers Camp has partnered with the National Library of Australia to bring these interviews to you.
The Aims & Objectives of The Drovers Camp Association
1
To erect a building to be known as the Drovers Camp which will provide safe storage and preservation for authentic artefacts, documentation, art & photographic treasures from Australia’s droving industry. The buildings shall also contain audio-visual presentations, interactive & interpretive display.
2
To ensure the building becomes a focal point where living Drovers and their descendants can meet with other people to share their experiences with peoples of all ages, to stimulate and sustain community interest in the significance of the droving industry.
3
To construct and maintain a National shrine to acknowledge the contribution to Australia’s cattle industry development by stockmen and stockwomen of all races. Such acknowledgement of their contribution will assist in the reconciliation process.
4
To stage an annual Festival to celebrate the contribution of the drovers and their families and to provide a venue for a reunion of old mates of the droving era.
5
To be a part of a successful and integrated tourism strategy with emphasis on the unique outback heritage of Australia.
6
To introduce commercial and income- generating opportunities and to become fully self supporting.
7
To create jobs for unemployed people in the area.
The Committee
We are so fortunate to have a wonderful team of volunteers to make up our committee.
President
Ben Knight
Vice President
(Position currently available)
Secretary
Jocelyn Rowlands
Treasurer
Ellen Finlay
Patron
Paul Finlay
Committee
Ian Saltmere, Clint Hawkins, Shelley Hawkins, Dan Hawkins, Tina Barrett, Matthew Barrett, Chris Hill, Lynne Rankine
