Trappers in their camp at Booloocooroo, near Gunnedah, NSW

P1/2383

fonds

1914

Graphic Materials, Photographs

9669437

1 photographic print - gelatin silver - 9 x 14 cm

Trapping was often used as a supplementary income which people participated in when there were economic downturns and although the most popular animal for trappers were rabbits, other animals were also hunted in Australia in the 1800s and early 1900s. As well as being used locally, more exotic furs were well received overseas with the fur of the wallaby noted for being suitable for coats and linings. Kangaroo and wallaby skins were also exported to the United States to be used to make boots and other leather products.

​Booloocooroo was a large sheep station outside Gunnedah, near Curlewis, the estate of Lieutenant Goodwin, which was subdivided in 1907. 8000 acres were bought by grazier Mr J Douglas of Timaru New Zealand. Douglas died in 1909 and the property was bought by the Grant brothers, also New Zealanders. According to local newspaper reports at least one of the Grant brothers still held the property with his son in 1940.

References:
Library acquisition file
Downes, Elizabeth. “’A very good livelyhood’: the native animal fur trade in Victoria”. History Australia. 2018, Volume 15, Issue 1, Pages 89-112. Accessed 6 January 2023. https://doi.org/10.1080/14490854.2018.1426343
Eather, Warwick and Cottle, Drew. “THE RABBIT INDUSTRY IN SOUTH-EAST AUSTRALIA, 1870-1970”. Labour History Melbourne. Accessed 6 January 2023.
https://labourhistorymelbourne.org/the-rabbit-industry/
“BRITISH BREEDS”, The Sydney Stock and Station Journal. June 24, 1913, p. 5. Accessed 6 January 2023. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124121212
"News of the Sheep Studs", The Farmer and Settler. 24 April 1940, p. 7. Accessed 6 January 2023. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article117492434

Photograph (Kodak Austral postcard) showing two trappers in their camp. Several pelts, probably wallabies or small kangaroos, hang above their tent, and a large pile at its entrance. A horse appears behind a fence on the right of the photograph. The older man on the left is posing with his stock whip in one hand, while the seated younger man rests his rifle across his lap.

Out of copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Title devised from content of photograph, text written on the back of the photograph and information supplied by vendor

'Trapper's N.S.W' written on front, 'A winter scene, "Booloocooroo", New South Wales / 1914' written on back

Date taken from year written on the back of the photograph