Durundur Station Diary
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Sketch of Durundur Station

Sketch of Durundur by Charles Archer, 31 July 1843.  In the early 1840s Durundur, near present-day Woodford, was the most northerly pastoral run in Australia.

Background

Of Norwegian descent, the nine Archer brothers who emigrated to Australia from Scotland played a prominent role in Queensland’s early pastoral history. David, Thomas and John Archer took up 200 square miles of country where they established Durundur Station near present-day Woodford in 1841. At that time it was the most northern pastoral run in Australia, and Durundur thus became the cradle of European settlement and a significant base for exploration into the unknown districts north and west. Ludwig Leichhardt gained valuable experience during his sojourn at Durundur in 1843-44, and the Archer brothers themselves spearheaded the advance of settlement into Central Queensland. In 1847-48 Thomas Archer explored the Burnett and Fitzroy River districts where, with his brother David, they established Eidsvold and Coonambula runs. Durundur was sold to David and John McConnel in 1848, and in 1853 Charles and William Archer took up Gracemere near the present-day city of Rockhampton. Gracemere thereafter became the centrepiece of the Archer family’s pastoral holdings.

 

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Pencil drawing of a horse's head looking to the left. The horse's ears are tilted back, so it may be listening to something behind it, or it may be in a bad mood! It has a darker mane and muzzle, and lighter coat. It has been initialed RMC under the chin of the horse.

Ruby Campbell Pencil Drawing

Acrylic still life of a fruit bowl by Ruby Campbell. The yellow bowl contains a lemon, an apple and what appears to be a tomato, but may be a different kind of fruit! A banana lies on the table beside the bowl. The signature RM CAMPBELL 1961 is at lower right of image.

Ruby Campbell, Still Life, Acrylic, 1961

Black and white etching of a dog's head in profile facing to the left. The dog is wearing a collar, and is possibly a longhaired terrier of some kind. Under the image is the etched signature R. CAMPBELL and the date 1930

Ruby Campbell Etching of Terrier