WLL: Pastoralism and Modernity in the Burnett Region 1880 - 1914

This presentation traces the development of pastoralism in the Burnett region of Queensland, during the period 1880-1914.
About this Event

Talk Abstract

This presentation traces the development of pastoralism in the Burnett region of Queensland, during the period 1880-1914. It considers the way in which late modernity’s technological advancements (in transportation, refrigeration, water sourcing, wire fencing), the federation drought, and changing land policy, impacted the pastoral industry of Queensland. Further, it explores the way in which labour relations developed in this period and how the social fabric of pastoral life changed. This work is based on a private & previously unexamined collections of diaries, letters, stock and station records, and photographs of pastoralists of the Burnett region.

Speaker Bio

Christina Lawrence is a PhD candidate in the School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry at the University of Queensland, where her research investigates the development of pastoralism in Queensland’s Burnett region between 1870 and 1920. Her thesis examines how technological change, drought, land policy and labour relations shaped the region’s pastoral industry, drawing extensively on private collections of diaries, letters, station records and photographs.

She completed her Bachelor of Arts (Hons) at La Trobe University and has nearly a decade of teaching experience across history, sociology and interdisciplinary humanities at La Trobe and the University of Queensland, as an Associate Lecturer and tutor. Her published work includes articles in the Australian Journal of Politics & History and Labour History, focusing on Aboriginal exemption, labour markets and rural worker agency.

EXTRA

Following the talk, there will be a sale for the book 'Famine to Feast', featuring the author Garry Kuhn.