Aboriginal Australians
The Bidjara and Gungabula languages (assorted spellings) are historic to the Shire of Murweh.
Cultural traditions and beliefs are passed down in Aboriginal oral tradition.Spiritual values hold reverence for the land and a belief in the Dreamtime.
The Rainbow Serpent is a major ancestral being for many Aboriginal people across Australia. The rainbow serpent is in the first instance, the rainbow itself. The serpent story may vary however, according to environmental differences.
Ethnological Studies Among the North-west-central Queensland Aborigines by Walter Edmund Roth (1897) Here
1840s
1860s
1880s
1900s
TYPES OF WESTERN WORKERS. Taken" at the Woolscour,- Charleville, J Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Saturday 19 November 1910
1920s
In 1922, Qantas inaugurated its first fare-paying passenger service from Charleville to Cloncurry, marking a milestone in Australian aviation.
1930s
1940s and WWII
The RAAF Recruiting Train arrived in Charleville on Saturday morning 5 October 1940 .
During World War II, Charleville served as a base for U.S. Army Air Force personnel. 3500 US airmen were based here and also a hidden classified military device used in the bombing of Hiroshima.
In Charleville Hospital
Lying ill in Charleville's ultra-modern hosptial is an aboriginal "king," who is believe to have been born when Edmund Kennedy was discovering the Warrego district 100 years ago, states the "Courier-Mail."
He is "King'' Peter Ardock, aged head of the aboriginal tribe at Ardock station, north of Thargomindah. King Peter does not remember his age but the matron of the hospital, Miss Gloria Williamson, says that he ap pears to be about 100 years old.
King Peter was brought to the hospital several months ago suffering from a form of heart disease, Miss Williamson said that be was recovering, and would probably get well enough to return to Ardock.
King Peter is still able to talk slowly, and understands what is said to him.
King Peter drew Fresh Boy in the hospital Melbourne Cup sweep, and won £1.
Charleville Times (Brisbane, Qld. : 1896 - 1954), Friday 7 November 1947 (Traditionally, Aboriginal societies did not have kings or chiefs in the sense used by English-speaking people)
Charleville’s proudest boast is its aerodrome. It was enlarged greatly during the war, and some of
the largest aeroplanes can land there with safety. It is now used mostly by commercial aircraft which
call there at regular intervals. The flying doctor also has it's base there. Near the outskirts of the
town there is a wool scour. Other main establishments are the town hall, a well appointed picture
theatre, six hotels, seven motor garages and a power house which supplies the town with electricity;
there are also two schools, three churches, a post office, a new court house, four banks and a fire
station besides numerous other business houses. A show is held every year in which horses, cattle and sheep are exhibited; various ring events are presented and art and other work are displayed. Many side-shows are usually at the show to add to the entertainment. The “Picnic Races” are an annual event. Several garden fetes are usually held during the year in aid of charity.
[In] 1947 Charleville celebrated its Centenary. The celebrations extended over a period of about three days during which time an air pageant was held, street entertainment was held and a procession paraded through the town. Several men acted the part of Kennedy and his men, and others drove a Cobb and Co. coach.
Near the end of 1948 one of Charleville’s oldest hotels, the 'Dalton,' was completely destroyed by
fire, together with a bookmaker’s shop and a saddlery shop. The fire broke out in the early hours of
the morning, and it was so severe that the timbers of the buildings on the opposite side of the street started smouldering.
Portal.(December 1949)
1950s
1960s
Charleville was the third busiest goods station and the busiest passenger station on the Western Line prior to the 1960s.
1990s
The 1990 Charleville flood happened on April 21, 1990, when the Warrego River at Charleville peaked at a record 8.54 metres.
Around Charleville
Things To Do and Places To Go
Charleville's Historic House Museum
Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre
Cosmos Centre: Offers stargazing experiences, taking advantage of the clear outback skies.
Visit to the Warrego River, where you'll find the 'Waadyanana Pathway', a 1.4km walking track designed by the local Aboriginal people.
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| QUEENSLAND NATIVES PROCURING FIRE.Our illustration shows the manner in which the aborigines of Australia procure fire in the bush when away from their mia-mias. Sitting on the ground, a piece of wood is held firm by the feet, and the operator rolls a thin round Flip of iron bark between the palms of his hand, keeping the point firmly fixed on the wood under his feet until by friction 11)0 latter is ignited and the desired end obtained. Illustrated Adelaide Post (SA : 1867 - 1874), Tuesday 14 June 1870 |
1840s
In 1847, Edmund B. Kennedy was journeying along the Warrego River. He passed within about eight miles of the present site of the town. In December 1848, Kennedy was speared by Aboriginal Australians in far north Queensland near Cape York.
1850s
Charleville grew out of the carriers' camps that were pitched on the Warrego River away back in the fifties. The road due north, and south branched at the heavy crossing where the loose sand made it the natural stopping place for tired teams. (1.)
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| Stockmen |
1860s
The Gowrie run (1863) was located on a natural stock route between New South Wales and Queensland. Gowrie Crossing was where the route crossed the Warrego. A hotel was established there and a town reserve of four sq miles gazetted in 1865.
Charleville was gazetted in 1865 and named after a town in Ireland. It became a service centre for the pastoral industry.
The Queensland Native Mounted Police operated for 80 years, from 1848 until 1928. It was organised along paramilitary lines, consisting of detachments of Aboriginal troopers led by white officers.
Yo Yo Creek Native Police barracks, sat near the joining of the Warrego River and YoYo creek in the Charleville District, on a high bank. Read more
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| The isolated Yo Yo Creek Native Police barracks, sat near the joining of the Warrego River and YoYo creek in the Charleville District, on a high bank (middle right of the image), c1864. This is one of the earliest images in the Police Museum collection. |
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| CHARLEVILLE. About a fortnight ago, on a moonlight night the Native Police Barracks here was invaded by a warlike tribe of blacks owing to one of the black trackers eloping with one of the fair sex belonging to the tribe. The tracker received a severe wound with a spear, but under the able attendance of Sergeant Britton the spear was cut out, and the sufferer is progressing favora-bly. The enemy retreated without any injury.Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Tuesday 17 April 1866 |
1870s
In the 1870s Charleville had only a store, blacksmith, butcher and a police magistrate.In 1876 Cobb and Co made its first run from Charleville to the Roma railhead, carting woolclip. Charleville became an important stopover for Cobb and Co routes.
1880s
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| ALFRED STREET, CHARLEVILLE, IN 1882. QLD, Charleville Times |
The Charleville Times began publication in 1883.
A school opened (1884), a hospital built (1885) and Anglican and Catholic churches were erected.
In 1886 Cobb & Co. relocated coach building from Bathurst to Charleville, establishing a major factory. Others businesses and factories followed.
The arrival of the railway from Brisbane in 1888 significantly boosted the town's economy and accessibility.
A school opened (1884), a hospital built (1885) and Anglican and Catholic churches were erected.
In 1886 Cobb & Co. relocated coach building from Bathurst to Charleville, establishing a major factory. Others businesses and factories followed.
The arrival of the railway from Brisbane in 1888 significantly boosted the town's economy and accessibility.
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| Pugh's Queensland almanac, directory and law calendar. 1862-1866 (1888) |
1890s
In 1890, Cobb & Co. established its largest coach-making factory in Charleville, contributing to local industry.
In 1890, Cobb & Co. established its largest coach-making factory in Charleville, contributing to local industry.
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| Alfred St, Charleville, QLD, Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Saturday 14 July 1894 |
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| Charleville Hospital, QLD, Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Saturday 14 July 1894 |
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| Pugh's Queensland almanac, directory and law calendar. 1862-1866 (1895) |
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| Wool bales from Yarron Vale at Charleville Railway Station, 1897, Queensland State Archives |
1900s
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| Blanket day, May 24 at Charleville, QLD, Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 12 December 1902 |
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| Cobb and Co. mail coach at Charleville, ca. 1906, SLQLD |
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| Hospital at Charleville, Qld - very early 1900s, Kaye |
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| Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 - 1947), Wednesday 27 January 1909 |
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| Best stockman's turnout, Charleville Show, QLD, Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 4 June 1909 |
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| ADAVALE COACH LEAVING CHARLEVILLE POST OFFICE ON 26tli FEBRUARY, QLD, Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 12 March 1909 |
| Our correspondent writes that homes are so expensive that there is no possibility of everyone being accommodated, consequently, tents have to be called into requisition. As is usual, under similar circumstances, rents are very high. Our pictures are typical of many that might be produced of tent life. Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 20 May 1910 |
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| Mr McKay's Hot Pie Camp at Charleville, QLD, Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 20 May 1910 |
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| MR.MAYNE'S CAMP, CHARLEVILLE, QLD, Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 20 May 1910 |
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| From left to right:—Messrs. John Partridge, D. C. McDonald. J. M. Pel :i, (F .1. fitzWalter (Mayor). Robert A|»i»leton, T. C. Fal'i- iTmvn Cioik). \Y. S. Meadow-Charleville Town Council, QLD, Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), Saturday 29 April 1911 |
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| The Charleville Women Workers' Union, QLD, Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Saturday 27 July 1912 |
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| Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Friday 18 December 1914 (The role of Protector of Aborigines was first established in South Australia in 1836 and involved advising governments and overseeing matters connected to their welfare) |
WWI (1914-1918)
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| Edgar Harper McWha #3517 - 27 August 1915, Egypt. Regimental number - 3517 Place of birth - Charleville Queensland Religion - Church of England Occupation - Saddler Address - Charleville, Queensland Marital status - Single Age at embarkation - 22 Next of kin - George McWha, Charleville, Queensland |
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| A Very Useful Goat Team at Charleville., QLD, Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 30 November 1917 |
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| Opening of a school at Charleville, QLD, Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 12 April 1918 |
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| 18 TONS OF WOOL FROM BIDDENHAM STATION ; ARRIVAL AT CHARLEVILLE, QLD, Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 4 July 1919 |
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| The Squatters' Club at Charleville, QLD, Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Saturday 22 March 1919, |
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| THE LLOYD AEKTAL SURVEY PARTY AT CHARLEVILLE EN ROUTE TO DARWIN. The patty was at last advices at Lougreach, having travelled thither fro m Charleville via Blackall by motor cycle. ' Front row : J. C. Marduel (a French airman), Reg. Lloyd (leader). Back row : W. Ousley (mechanic), H. Seabrook (mechanic), —. Hunter (surveyor), J. K. Waldron (surveyor). —H. J. Walton photo.Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Saturday 22 March 1919 |
1920s
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| The Dalton Hotel, Charleville, Qld - circa 1920s. It was located on the corner of Alfred and Wills street and was originally next to the Royal Hotel which it bought out and it all became The Dalton Hotel. This hotel was destroyed by fire in 1948, Kaye |
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| The Convent, Charleville, Qld - circa 1920, Kaye |
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| Wills Street, looking north, Charleville, Qld - 1920s, Kaye |
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| Balonne Beacon (St. George, Qld. : 1909 - 1954), Saturday 3 December 1921 |
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| Hotel Tambo at Charleville, QLD, 1923, Queensland State Archives |
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| THE ROVERS, THE PREMIER FOOTBALL CLUB AT CHARLEVILLE, QLD, Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Friday 11 July 1924 |
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| Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1903; 1916 - 1926), Saturday 20 September 1924 |
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| Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Friday 6 March 1925 |
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| Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Friday 6 March 1925 |
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| Longreach Leader (Qld. : 1923 - 1954), Friday 21 December 1928 |
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| Queensland’s Queensland Air Mail, Air Mail (Above) Inaugural flight on the Brisbane- Normanton Air Mail Service. The “Apollo” leaving Eagle Farm Aerodrome, Brisbane, for Charleville, 9.30 a.m., April 17, 1929. |
1930s
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| Evening News (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1922; 1924 - 1941), Thursday 29 May 1930 |
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| Charleville, QLD, 1930, Queensland State Archives |
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| The assemblage at the Diggers' Ball.—His Excellency the Governor (Sir Leslie Orme Wilson) and Lady Wilson and Miss Wilson are in front. The president (Mr. Longwill) is standing immediately behind Miss Wilson, and on his left is the secretary (Mr. Malcolm M'Gregor). (Charleville, QLD). Queenslander Illustrated Weekly (Brisbane, Qld. : 1927 - 1939), Thursday 27 October 1932 |
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| Messrs. Statham Bros., Taylor's Plains, Mungallala, and Stuart Campbell, in their picturesque wild west clothing who figured promptly at the recent Charleville Rodeo, QLD, and thrilled the crowds with their daring exhibitions of buckjumping and bullock riding. South Western Sentinel (Charleville, Qld. : 1931 - 1933), Tuesday 14 June 1932 |
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| Charleville Times (Brisbane, Qld. : 1896 - 1954), Friday 2 January 1931 |
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| Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld. : 1912 - 1936), Friday 1 April 1932 (The Great Depression in Australia saw huge levels of unemployment and economic suffering amid plummeting export income. [16] Although the economic downturn was a product of international events, Australian governments grappled with how to respond) |
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| 1. SECTION OF THE CROWD at the Charlcvillc races, 2. ORTION OF THE CROWD in the betting ring at the Charleville races on Saturday last.Central Queensland Herald (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1930 - 1956), Thursday 25 October 1934 |
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| INTERIOR OF MOBILE TRANSMITTING SET used by the R.A.A.F. officers at Charleville and brought overland from Melbourne.Queensland Herald (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1930 - 1956), Thursday 25 October 1934 |
1940s and WWII
The RAAF Recruiting Train arrived in Charleville on Saturday morning 5 October 1940 .
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Mr, A. Squire, Ardnaree, Charleville, has three sons in the R.A.A.F. They are: Pilot .Officer R. A. SQUIRE: before enlisting he vvas Science Master at Brisbane State High School. L.A.C. D. W. SQUIRE, now in New Guinea; he enlisted from Ardnaree. CharJevJle. Cpl. K. C. SQUIRE; before enlisting he was on the staff of Daloety and Co. Ltd., Cunnamulla.Queensland Country Life (Qld. : 1900 - 1905; 1907; 1909 - 1910; 1935 - 1965), Thursday 22 July 1943 |
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| Alfred Street, Charleville, Qld - circa 1940s, Kaye |
"KING" PETER ARDOCK
In Charleville Hospital
Lying ill in Charleville's ultra-modern hosptial is an aboriginal "king," who is believe to have been born when Edmund Kennedy was discovering the Warrego district 100 years ago, states the "Courier-Mail."
He is "King'' Peter Ardock, aged head of the aboriginal tribe at Ardock station, north of Thargomindah. King Peter does not remember his age but the matron of the hospital, Miss Gloria Williamson, says that he ap pears to be about 100 years old.
King Peter was brought to the hospital several months ago suffering from a form of heart disease, Miss Williamson said that be was recovering, and would probably get well enough to return to Ardock.
King Peter is still able to talk slowly, and understands what is said to him.
King Peter drew Fresh Boy in the hospital Melbourne Cup sweep, and won £1.
Charleville Times (Brisbane, Qld. : 1896 - 1954), Friday 7 November 1947 (Traditionally, Aboriginal societies did not have kings or chiefs in the sense used by English-speaking people)
Charleville’s proudest boast is its aerodrome. It was enlarged greatly during the war, and some of
the largest aeroplanes can land there with safety. It is now used mostly by commercial aircraft which
call there at regular intervals. The flying doctor also has it's base there. Near the outskirts of the
town there is a wool scour. Other main establishments are the town hall, a well appointed picture
theatre, six hotels, seven motor garages and a power house which supplies the town with electricity;
there are also two schools, three churches, a post office, a new court house, four banks and a fire
station besides numerous other business houses. A show is held every year in which horses, cattle and sheep are exhibited; various ring events are presented and art and other work are displayed. Many side-shows are usually at the show to add to the entertainment. The “Picnic Races” are an annual event. Several garden fetes are usually held during the year in aid of charity.
[In] 1947 Charleville celebrated its Centenary. The celebrations extended over a period of about three days during which time an air pageant was held, street entertainment was held and a procession paraded through the town. Several men acted the part of Kennedy and his men, and others drove a Cobb and Co. coach.
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| Charleville celebrated its Centenary, QLD, Charleville Times (Brisbane, Qld. : 1896 - 1954), Friday 21 November 1947 |
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| 1. Charleville State School, QLD, 2. Old Charleville Hospital, QLD. Charleville Times (Brisbane, Qld. : 1896 - 1954), Friday 24 October 1947 |
fire, together with a bookmaker’s shop and a saddlery shop. The fire broke out in the early hours of
the morning, and it was so severe that the timbers of the buildings on the opposite side of the street started smouldering.
Portal.(December 1949)
1950s
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| The Flying Doctor stationed at Charleville (Dr. Alan Vickers) locked cool when he arrived in Brisbane today by Flying Qoctor Service plane from' the heat of the west. He accompanied an elderly woman and a 10-months-old. child, who were flown to Brisbane for treatment.Brisbane Telegraph (Qld. : 1948 - 1955), Monday 2 January 1950 |
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| Charleville Times (Brisbane, Qld. : 1896 - 1954), Thursday 9 March 1950 |
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| Charleville Times (Brisbane, Qld. : 1896 - 1954), Thursday 9 March 1950 |
 Boys from farthest West go to Charleville school, live at All Saints' Hostel, QLD, |
| Pix, March 31, 1953 |
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| Charleville's Bells Hotel, dating from bullock days, has bedrooms opening on to footpath, QLD, Pix, March 31, 1953 |
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| Charleville, QLD, Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1955 - 1965), Tuesday 18 October 1955 |
1960s
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| Charleville Railway Station, QLD, 1962, Queensland State Archives |
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| Court House in Charleville, QLD - 1965, Vintage Queensland |
1990s
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| Hotel Corones during the Charleville flood, April 1990The 1990 flood nearly wiped out the town centre. Nearly 3000 residents were evacuated to the town's airport until the water receded. Queensland State Archives. PD |
Around Charleville
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| Murweh Shire Council Offices in Charleville Queensland. Built around 1940 |
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| Hotel Corones is a heritage-listed hotel at 33 Wills Street, Charleville, QLD, was designed by William Hodgen junior and built from 1924 to 1929 |
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| The Charleville Town Hall, QLD, was built in 1927 |
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| The court house in Charleville, QLD, was first built in 1875 and was destroyed by arson on 26 December 1941, The court house was rebuilt and the new building opened c.1945 |
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| Charleville railway station, QLD, was built from 1888 to 1957 |
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| Charleville's Historic House, QLD, is the oldest permanent building in Alfred Street. Today |
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| Art Deco building, Charleville, QLD |
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| Charleville, QLD |
Things To Do and Places To Go
Charleville's Historic House Museum
Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre
Cosmos Centre: Offers stargazing experiences, taking advantage of the clear outback skies.
Visit to the Warrego River, where you'll find the 'Waadyanana Pathway', a 1.4km walking track designed by the local Aboriginal people.