“Barcy”

 Saturday 10th July

Once again we had thought it wise to book ahead so we didn’t need to stress about finding somewhere to stay so we could make an unhurried trip to Barcaldine. There was much discussion about the correct pronunciation. Is it Barkle-dine or bar-call-din? In the end we settled with the local vernacular of Barcy.

We had decided to meet in Alpha for a coffee at the bakery but sadly on arrival we discovered it had closed down as had most of the other services in Alpha. The widely advertised art works are beginning to look a little tired and like the rest of town in need of a lift. After taking a few pics we decided to reconvene in Jericho 60kms up the road.

Jericho is an even smaller village and of course we were forgetting that it is after 12 on a Saturday afternoon in The Outback so there’s not much going on here.

There are many biblical references in this area with Jericho sitting on the banks of the Jordan River and Lake Gallillee nearby. It makes sense that much of the art work is biblically inspired such as the Trumpeter. 

If we were so inspired we could return on Wednesday night to watch the State of Origin at the smallest drive-in you are likely to find anywhere.

After a reviving cuppa we moved on to Barcy…on entry to the town it is impossible to miss The Tree of Knowledge sculptural timber canopy. The original ghost gum is considered the birthplace of the Australian Labor Party resulting from the shearer’s strike meetings held under its shady branches in1891. 

After the tree was deliberately poisoned an incredible 18m high structure was built around it. The hanging timbers move gently in the breeze and when lit up at night it creates the appearance of a gently moving canopy that extends to the size of the original tree. We spent several hours reading the history boards and Libby found an unusual instrument in the park to knock out a tube, before heading to the pub for a tasty meal.

Sunday 11th July

We began our Sunday with a walk along the nearby Lagoon Creek walkway. A 2km track meanders alongside the lagoon and at first wasn’t overly inspiring but the further along we went the more interesting it became. Michael returned to camp to get some computer stuff done while we had internet connectivity and we continued on.I was very happy to add another ‘lifer’ to my list in the form of the Red-browed Pardalote.

Things are pretty quiet in Barcy on a Sunday afternoon but fortunately the Australian Workers Heritage Centre was open and we easily whiled away a couple of hours exploring its many displays.

It also features the Young Un, the only direct offspring of the Tree of Knowledge so in years to come it will be a Son of The Tree of Knowledge.

While Libby and Eric had some catch up time, Michael and I took a drive around the township and found some more of its interesting bits and pieces from quirky sculptures, interesting structures and the rather unusual Masonic Lodge. Although built from iron and timber the facade has been painted to appear to made of brick.