Currawilla Explained

-25.1547°N 141.342°WCurrawilla Station is a pastoral lease that currently operates as a cattle station in Queensland.

It is located approximately 135km (84miles) west of Windorah and 217km (135miles) east of Birdsville in Queensland. The property adjoins Palparara[1] and Narradunna Stations.[2] It is situated in the Channel Country and is well watered by numerous creeks in the area. The homestead is found along the Currawilla waterhole on the Torrens Creek. Farrar's Creek also runs through the property.

It was established at some time prior to 1878,[3] by Jack Farrar on Karuwali tribal lands. Farrar had worked at McGregor's Mount Margaret Station and kept his own herd. Farrar later left and followed the Diamantina River down the Channel Country and took up a block about 100sqmi on Farrar's Creek and named it Currawilla after the Aboriginal name for a waterhole. Farrar later sold it to Mr Cotton who substantially increased the size of the holding.[4]

In 1881 it was sold by Messrs Cotton and Malpas to Messrs Martin and Johnston.[4] At this time Currawilla occupied an area of 1300sqmi and was stocked with 4,000 cattle and 60 horses.[5] In 1887 the heaviest flooding known at the time following exceptionally heavy rains in the area, Currawilla recorded 11inches over a two-day period.[6] In 1887 the property was managed by William Henry Watson.[7] The owners of the station in 1889 were Messrs Edward Martin and Company of Melbourne.[8] Drought struck in 1897 but it was less severe at Currawilla compared to many surrounding properties.[9] Eventually in 1889,[10] Watson, who was still managing the property, bought it outright.[4]

In 1914 Currawilla was sold by Watson to the Bergin brothers. The 11200NaN0 property was stocked with approximately 6,000 head of cattle and 150 horses.[11]

The property currently occupies an area of 2230km2 and is owned and run by Roger and Debbie Oldfield.[12]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Million Acre Property . . Brisbane, Queensland . 31 December 1936 . 1 October 2014 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
  2. News: Classified Advertising. . . Brisbane, Queensland. 5 September 1885 . 1 October 2014 . 371 . National Library of Australia.
  3. News: Richmond river. . Brisbane, Queensland. 12 July 1879 . 1 October 2014 . 57 . National Library of Australia.
  4. News: History of Currawilla . . Queensland. 24 November 1938 . 2 October 2014 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  5. News: Commercial. . . Queensland. 5 July 1881 . 1 October 2014 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  6. News: Queensland News . . Queensland. 22 March 1887 . 1 October 2014 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
  7. News: The Barcoo . . Rockhampton, Queensland. 15 July 1887. 1 October 2014 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  8. News: From Windorah to Birdsville. . Rockhampton, Queensland. 19 December 1889 . 1 October 2014 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  9. News: The Drought in Queensland . . Queensland . 11 June 1897 . 1 October 2014 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  10. News: Fartherest West in Queensland . . Brisbane, Queensland. 27 December 1902 . 2 October 2014 . 1921 . National Library of Australia.
  11. News: Sale of Currawilla Station . . Rockhampton, Queensland. 3 August 1914 . 2 October 2014 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  12. Web site: Three for the Road. 2014. 1 October 2014. David Adams Films. dead. https://archive.today/20141001024606/http://www.davidadamsfilms.com.au/projects/launched/three-for-the-road/. 1 October 2014. dmy-all.