Barcaldine, Queensland
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Barcaldine is a small town and Local Government Area located in Western Queensland, Australia, approximately 520 kilometres by road west of the city of Rockhampton. The town is the administrative centre of the Barcaldine Shire, which covers an area of 8430 square kilometres. Town population is around 1900. Major industries are wool and grazing. The town takes its name from a sheep station called Barcaldine Downs, which was named for Barcaldine, Scotland.
Barcaldine played a significant role in the birth of the Australian Labor Party. In 1891, it was one of the focal points of the great Shearers Strike. The landmark 'Tree of Knowledge', under which the strikers met, still stands outside the railway station.