"Wagons West"
Rosewood - Longreach

732 Miles (1220KM)

See The New PHOTO GALLERY Page

1859 - "Hauling The Loads" - 2009

ITINERARY

This will be the biggest wagon trip in Australia
and possibly the world
Be part of this historical re-enactment journey in
celebrating and honoring our pioneers past and
especially the haulage contractors journey before
the railway lines were introduced
We will be carrying essential goods out to the "Western
Towns" and returning with a load of wool in 2010 to Ipswich
which boasted the only three Woollen Mills in Queensland in 1859.

ABOUT THE TRIP

In the early part of June Rod Statham, his crew and his team will
leave the Ipswich, Rosewood area and head to Longreach,
re-enacting the journey undertaken by the
haulage contractors before the introduction of the Cobb & Co
and the railways

This will coincide with Queensland celebrating
150 years of seperation from New South Wales.
The event will kick off with a night of
entertainment at the

ROSEWOOD SHOWGROUNDS on Friday 12th June

Once the wagon is loaded they will travel to the
Darling Downs via Rosewood, Grandchester, Laidley,
Gatton and Helidon. The horses and wagon will then be
transported to Oakey
to continue the journey to Longreach.

Rod and his team will be stopping at schools along
the way and exchanging poetry written by Banjo Patterson and the likes,
educating children
and adults on the arduous task our early haulage
contractors undertook.

Traveling on the journey will be Bill Chapman a 70 year
old aboriginal stockman, Bluey Bunyan who is
an 80 year old teams master, Denleigh Stenzel local
bush poet and yarn teller, Jill Parcell chief cook
and camp organisor, Mick Collin in charge of
maintenance and also will be one of the out rider
Jessie Voss who is head stock person and outrider and
Rod Statham who is the Wagon Master for this journey.
Find out more about the crew
Click on Bio's

THE LOGISTICS

Journey Distance = 1200Km
*Duration Of The Trip = 3 Months
*20 Heavy Horses (Percherons, Clydsdale)
*Equipment = 3 Ton Bennett Wagon Plus Loaded Supplies
Kitchen Wagonnette
Qld Buckboard
Reconnasance Vehicle
*10 Stock Hands
*Camping equipment and food for all the crew.
*Feed and harness for 20 heavy horses
*Obtaining and transporting commemorative food and goods

URGENTLY REQUIRED

Sponsors for this event, private or Commercial
This is your opportunity to be part of an re-enactment event
and gain high exposure as the team travels to Longreach
Please email your interest by going to the email button on this page.

Please feel free to email your suggestions or comments regarding this
venture or website by clicking on the email button.

Proudly Supported By:

Better Blend Stockfeeds

Letter from The Mayor of Ipswich - Paul Pisasale (PDF)

Letter of support from Councilor David Pahlke (PDF)

Printable Wagonswest Poster (PDF)

Birru Station
54 Kraatzs Rd
TALLEGALLA Qld 4340
Phone:Rod (07) 5467 6343 Fax: (07) 5467 6342
Mobile: 0408 747603
Email: wagonswest@bigpond.com

"Wagons West" Rosewood - Longreach