Shears
Production date
Pre 1891
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Object detail
Description
Metal hand shears, triangular blades, handle rounded at top. Made in two pieces, bolted together at top.
Classification
RURAL INDUSTRY Livestock Sheep shears, hand
Maker
Production date
Pre 1891
Measurements
L69 x W92 (top of shears) x D35 (top of shears)mm
Media/Materials description
Metal
Signature/Marks
[???]ALL / [shield containing illegible writing] / B & B / A
History and use
These metal hand shears for shearing sheep are believed to be dated from the 1891 shearers’ strike in the Blackall district of Queensland.
By 1889 Queensland shearers and other bush workers were organised into unions. In response to this the graziers formed their own association and announced severe wage reductions, refusing to negotiate with the unions and effectively challenging their right to exist.
The unions declared a strike at the beginning of 1891. Barcaldine became the headquarters for the strikers and the site of the biggest strike camp just north of the town at Lagoon Creek, with some 4500 people present. The government sent more than 1000 armed soldiers and special constables to central Queensland. After the arrest of the strike leaders, and the use of non-union labour to continue the sheep shearing, the unions declared the strike over in June 1891. It was realised that parliamentary representation was needed to further the interests and conditions of workers, leading to the formation of the Australian Labor Party (ALP). The first branch meeting of the ALP is acknowledged to have been held by these striking shearers under the gum tree now known as the Tree of Knowledge in Barcaldine, in 1891.
The shears were presented to the then Minister for Education Anna Bligh by the Blackall State School Parents and Citizens’ Association on the occasion of her visit in 2002.
Uploaded to the Web 27 May 2011.
By 1889 Queensland shearers and other bush workers were organised into unions. In response to this the graziers formed their own association and announced severe wage reductions, refusing to negotiate with the unions and effectively challenging their right to exist.
The unions declared a strike at the beginning of 1891. Barcaldine became the headquarters for the strikers and the site of the biggest strike camp just north of the town at Lagoon Creek, with some 4500 people present. The government sent more than 1000 armed soldiers and special constables to central Queensland. After the arrest of the strike leaders, and the use of non-union labour to continue the sheep shearing, the unions declared the strike over in June 1891. It was realised that parliamentary representation was needed to further the interests and conditions of workers, leading to the formation of the Australian Labor Party (ALP). The first branch meeting of the ALP is acknowledged to have been held by these striking shearers under the gum tree now known as the Tree of Knowledge in Barcaldine, in 1891.
The shears were presented to the then Minister for Education Anna Bligh by the Blackall State School Parents and Citizens’ Association on the occasion of her visit in 2002.
Uploaded to the Web 27 May 2011.
Associated person
Registration number
H45509
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