SATURDAY 21 MAY 2022
This morning we planned to visit the Drover’s Camp Museum, in town. It is voting day for the Federal Election today and I was wondering whether we would see any evidence of activity here. I think about a third of the town’s population of about 300 must have come in early to vote at the local polling booth in the community hall.
I love the sign at the local Road House Welcoming travellers arriving from WA and the Territory. The heritage listed corrugated iron buildings next to that look so interesting with the old river stone flagging at the front.
Most of the droving related memorabilia is housed inside a huge corrugated iron shed beside a paddock holding about 6 of the most beautiful horses I have seen in awhile. We were guided around the exhibitions inside by “Stumpy” Adams. I never did find out his first name, other than for him to say “you don’t want to know what my mother used to call me!”
Stumpy brought to life what it was like to be a pack horse drover, with his wonderfully rich stories and a poem or two. I was so engaged in Stumpy’s tales that I forgot to take any photos of the old saddles, packs, green hide hand made ropes and whips and many other interesting pieces, each with stories behind them. There was also a gallery of the most amazing portraits in pastels of many of the old Pack Saddle Drovers, some of whom are still alive. Stumpy pointed out a couple of his mates, both in their 90’s now. Whilst droving was a very hard life, I don’t think it could have been so bad for your health. I did manage to catch some video of Stumpy demonstrated what a rain stick sounds like.
I would love to be able to come back to Camooweal for the Drover’s Camp Festival at the end of August. It sounds like they have so much fun.
We enjoyed another glorious evening beside the camp fire last night. Another magical time watching the changing colours and light over the silver white grasses and the pinks, reds, oranges and purples in the sky whilst listening to the various birds as they settled for the evening, their song taken over by crickets and frogs.
Sunrise this morning was equally as breathtaking as yesterday, don’t think I could ever tire of experiencing that special time here.
We’ve decided to dine out tonight at the pub on the recommendation of Stumpy and Ron whom we met at the Drover’s Camp. They reminded us that being Saturday night, there were a couple of footie matches on. How could we resist!
ON THE ROAD 