There are five themed galleries at the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage
Centre - each one depicting an important aspect of our pioneering history.
The exhibits comprise a combination of objects, images, audiovisual presentations and
open displays, which foster the individual interpretation of the fascinating
story of outback Australia.
There are currently more than 1200 items on display. This number continues to grow with
new donations and increased exhibition space following the 2002/03 renovations. The reserve
collection, consisting of archival material, photographs, artworks and various other items,
is used for research and new display development.
Image Gallery
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Highlights
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Featuring Rusty Frame, the Outback Stockman's Show will educate and entertain
visitors to the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame from Monday
to Saturday between May
and October, 2007.
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Extensive grounds featuring the main Hall of Fame complex, verdant gardens,
sculptures, windmills and dams.
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Five exhibition galleries which outline the story of Australia's pioneers in the
Pastoral Industry and salute the individuals and families of the outback.
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New "Land" and "People" slide shows presented on screens in the building's
vaulted ceiling, with accompanying light and sound experience.
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Introductory theatre-based audiovisual presentation featuring stunning
outback photography.
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12 touch-screen audiovisual films outlining the history of outback life.
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Children's Discovery Drawers - enabling children to touch some of the
objects from the Museum's collection and learn more about their history.
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Multimedia Shows
A vivid light and sound experience is now featured in the ceiling vault of the
main exhibition hall. Two large screens present photographic displays of Australia's
"Land" and "People". They appear as backdrops to the exhibits and can be enjoyed in
seated comfort or while walking through the Museum.
Images for the "Land" and "People" shows were gathered from the Hall of Fame's own
extensive photographic collection, as well as from numerous other sources throughout
Australia. The result is a wonderfully impressive production that encompasses all of
the seasons and faces of the outback.
The two screens run on a 20 minute cycle, with an audio experience every 15 minutes.
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Galleries
The Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre tells the story
of outback Australia through five major galleries: Discovery, Pioneers, Outback Properties,
Life in the Outback, and Stockworkers.
But stockworkers are not the only members of the outback story. There are the
storeowners, smithies, saddlers, hawkers, shearers, swagmen, telegraph and telephone
operators, mailmen, pilots, teachers, book keepers, miners, fencers, well and dam sinkers,
and coach, truck and rail drivers, among many others. Their stories too, are part of the
Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre.
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Discovery
The Discovery gallery follows the discovery, exploration and settlement of Australia
by the various races, cultures, individuals and groups who now call this continent
their home. The theme is separated into four main areas - Aboriginal culture, European
discovery and settlement, exploration and mining.
In the beginning, Australian Aborigines were joined by explorers, settlers and
fortune hunters, all eager to make a living on the land. When they moved from the
coast, they followed the rivers and creeks or the freshly created dusty tracks, making
their way through mountain ranges and over vast plainlands.
In many cases it was these explorers who were the first European people to
see the interior of Australia. Most were not native born but they all had the
courage to venture into the unknown vastness of this strange land. They were
often ill equipped for their adventure and completely unaware of what lay before
them in the way of terrain, weather, water and hostile natives.
They were responsible for opening up the outback for farming, grazing and mining.
Eventually, townships, roads and railways grew in the wake of their efforts.
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Pioneers
This gallery houses large open displays to allow visitors a better look at Australia's
pioneering past. It examines the pastoral life of Australia prior to the introduction
of power in the forms of electricity and the internal combustion engine.
Pioneer life from the 1860's to the 1920's is also examined in the gallery. Subjects
covered include transport, housing, rural trades, and the wool industry.
As the explorers opened up the inland, the pioneering settlers followed close behind
seeking suitable land for pastoral pursuits and a place to raise their families.
These brave settlers were often explorers in their own right. They had to clear scrub,
build huts and tame difficult land in order to forge a living and bring wealth to the inland.
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Outback Properties Gallery
Our third gallery outlines the history of the epic struggle between people and the land.
An extension of the themes in 'Pioneers', 'Outback Properties' details the era of pastoral
empires and the formation of pastoral companies - a time when technology broke down
the barriers of isolation and settlements began to spread across the continent.
The gallery tells the story of the rural families and their properties, and their struggle with
the harsh and unpredictable climate. Cyclones, flash floods, hailstorms, fire, drought, disease
and pests often caused havoc and massive destruction during these times, bringing long and
agonising torment to the farmer and his stock.
The size of many of these early station properties exceeded many thousands of square kilometres.
And no matter how big, there was always a need to ensure that stock could be fed and watered
without overgrazing the land and stunting new growth. Stock had to be mustered from paddock
to paddock, often over great distances. A good stockhorse and well-trained dog were, and
still are, essential.
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Life in the Outback Gallery
This gallery examines the outback communities and their unique entertainment and leisure pursuits
- such as bush crafts, dancing, playing musical instruments, and attending travelling and agricultural
shows. These activities developed as townships and settlements grew and populations expanded, and
where technology was breaking down the complications of distance.
'Life in the Outback' features several major collections, including those from Smoky Dawson, Sharman's
Boxing Troupe, along with a selection of Hassett whips and items from the Australian Women Pilot's
Association. Many of the images and objects will bring back memories for some of the older
generations and enlighten younger visitors as to where today's entertainment and outback services began.
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Stockworkers Gallery and Library
The history of Australian stock work is not limited to a particular century or group of people. It is a
story which spans many generations, cultures, and landscapes, and involves centuries of
changes and developments.
So, as a climax, the museum's themes and subjects are brought together in this final gallery. The
aspects of the Australian stockworker are examined - their development, lifestyle, significance, tools
of trade and of course, the work itself.
An overview is given of this very broad topic, beginning with the stock camp and the "Talking Drover",
and ending with the saddle tree. The displays weave through the stockworker's experiences, be they
legend or fact.
The gallery is a tribute to the men and women who work the land.
And while the stockworker faces many challenges on the land - drought, flood, plague and vast distance -
it is this same harsh and unrelenting Australian landscape that has created the many characters and communities
who are defined by their determined spirits.
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Children's Discovery Drawers
An important part of children's understanding of Australia's history is the story of the outback. Through
our Discovery Drawers, children can familiarise themselves with some of the main themes featured at
the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame.
Our younger visitors can explore these drawers and learn more about the historical objects already on
display in the main galleries. In the discovery drawers, they have the advantage of being able to
touch and feel many of the items.
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Curator's Office and Storage Area
The Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame holds a vast reserve collection of items that have been removed
from previous displays or are waiting to be included in future displays. Housed behind a glass wall, this main
storage area gives visitors an insight into the "behind the scenes" work of a museum.
Those items in storage are rotated in displays over a period and are sometimes used for research or loaned to other museums.
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