MORE than 170 people gathered on the claypan beside Cornish Creek to celebrate 150 years since Nat Buchanan guided in the first cattle to stock Bowen Downs to create a station and launch the industry which now dominates Central and Western Queensland.
Neighbours and friends of Bowen Downs mingled with visitors from locations as diverse as Washington DC, Bali, Tasmania, southern NSW, Newcastle, Mt Isa, and even Nat Buchanan's great-great-granddaughter who drove herself up from Adelaide for the celebrations.
The Barcaldine State School Brass Band played the LC5 Waltz, written to honour the Scottish Australian Company (SACO) in the 1890's by Edwina Edkins, wife of the manager of Mt Cornish.
The Aramac State School sang 'Captain Starlight', written by Ted Egan, and some songs of their own choice, with great appeal.
The Big Red Truck, from which Ulrika Herold and the Aramac State School Student Union catered for a three-course dinner at one end of the claypan, was in direct contrast to the corrugated iron surrounds of the camp ovens and open fires for the Johnny Cake Cooking Competition, which provided smoko and a lot of entertainment.
Judges for the Johnny Cake Cooking Competition were Lyz Risby (Nat Buchanan's great-great-granddaughter), Jan Eldershaw (great-grand-daughter of an early Bowen Downs overseer on Crusoe (now Stockholm), and Ian Braithwaite representing later employees of the Scottish Australian Company and Bowen Downs.
Prizewinners of the adult section of the competition were Pearl Langdon and David Coulton, while Amber Coulton and Linden Cowper were named in the junior section.
Scot Braithwaite, who grew up on Bowen Downs (1962 -1972) and who was a jackaroo on Bowen Downs in 1982/83, was MC of proceedings.
Louise Moloney's book Spirits of Bowen Downs was launched by local Bob Marshall, while Nigel Scheetz, a wheat farmer from southern NSW and jackaroo at Bowen Downs 1986/7, launched Bowen Downs 150, compiled by Lesley Cowper.
Presentations in the form of an enamelled LC5 badge were presented by Rob Chandler, Mayor of the Barcaldine Regional Council, to representatives of the pioneering families who were at the claypan on the day: Nat Buchanan's great-great-granddaughter, Lyz Risby; a connection of William Landsborough, Harry Bode; a descendant of ER Edkins, Kate Deane; a connection of JC Binney who was one of the drovers with the first mob of cattle, Doug Langdon; a connection of Ed Butler; and Margaret Webb.
Unfortunately, Mr Bourne who was second-in-charge to Landsborough in the search for Burke and Wills, Keiran Russell, bookkeeper in the 1870s, and SP Fraser, the longest-serving manager, weren't represented on the day.
Selectors whose families still live on the same property were represented by Sam Coxon whose forebear selected Kateroy in 1887; Rowley Deane, Bimbah in 1890; and from resumptions after 1928-29, Graham McKenzie, Caber Feidh; Denise Cameron, Lillarea; and the Smith Family at Thistlebank.
Families who have had outstanding service with SACO were the Eldershaw family represented by Richard Eldershaw; and the Braithwaite family represented by Ian Braithwaite. The Armstrong family, who have by far the longest serving record with SACO, were unfortunately unable to be present.
Stewart Bowden proudly displayed his gleaming red and brass Talbot car which is similar to the one which made the first motor crossing of Australia from Adelaide to Darwin in 1908 and in which Tolly Bowden of Longreach was born.
Music during the dinner was provided by Marshal James of Aramac while Cleeve Smith from Prairie added to the occasion by playing the button accordion.
Quite a few people camped overnight to be woken in the morning by the cheerful sounds of the many birds along the creek, and about 30 people were present for breakfast, again catered for by the Aramac Student Union.
This was followed by a gathering at the Washpool where Mary Anne and Pete Ahern provided billy tea and damper for everyone.
Those in attendance said the weekend was different and enjoyable, and as one visitor said, "This is not just Bowen Downs' history - this is Australian history".
