Bowen Downs Station Records
Bowen Downs is located close to Aramac in central Queensland. It is one of the stations established by the Scottish-Australian Company.
William Landsborough and Nathaniel Buchanan made the initial exploration over this area of country. Landsborough recognised its quality for raising sheep. He was prepared to apply for a licence, but did not have the capital to stock the land immediately as was required by the Land Act. The Scottish-Australian Company provided the capital for the venture.
Buchanan was the first manager. He set out from Sydney in 1861 and explored overland from Bowen Downs to Port Denison, discovering a viable route for men and stock by 1862.
The station was made up of 26 runs, Bowen Downs, Betawong, Crossmoor, Horsedale, Bramville, Bangall, Balang, Pickwick, Goshen, Budgeragar, Gemini, Rayban, Dunculla, Oatway, Cornwall, Coreena, Corinda, Emu Plains, Rainsby, Plains (another), and Acacia Downs. The Bowen Downs run was made the head station, as it was centrally situated. Several outstations were established on good watering placed by 1863.
This collection was donated by the Aramac Shire Council in 1977. It consists of diaries from 1885 through to 1971, and the accounts books from as early as 1869 to the 1950s.
Name Index. Index of the personal names which appear in the records.
Archive Location: 24-27, 36, 79-80
Series Listing
Diaries, 1885 - 1971 (Bowen Downs managers, Bowen Downs overseers, Barcoorah, Bore 16)
Cash Books, 1870 - 1959 (Bowen Downs, Eastmere, Champion)
Day Books, 1972 - 1947 (Bowen Downs)
Stores Books, 1921 - 1931 (Bowen Downs, Champion)
Journals, 1869 - 1961 (Bowen Downs, Eastmere, Champion, Saltern Creek)
Ledgers - Subsidiary, 1907 - 1952 (Bowen Downs, Eastmere)
General Ledgers, 1867 - 1945
Shearers Washers Ledgers, 1876 - 1912 (Bowen Downs)
Mens Ledgers, 1872 - 1948 (Bowen Downs)
Miscellaneous Records, 1880 - 1955 (Bowen Downs, Eastmere, Saltern Creek)
Aramac Shire Council records, 1942 - 1956
Graziers Association of Central and North Queensland, 1888 - 1952 (Minutes, Circulars, Reports, Correspondence, Miscellaneous papers and Publications, C & N Monthly Bulletin Publication of the Graziers Association)
Detailed Listing
BD/1 1885 BD/2 1886 BD/3 1889 BD/4 1890 BD/5 1894 BD/6 1898 BD/7 1899 BD/8 1903 BD/9 1905 BD/10 1906 BD/11 1907 BD/12 1908 BD/13 1909 BD/14 1910 BD/15 1911 BD/16 1913 BD/17 1914 ED/18 1915 BD/19 1916 BD/20 1917 BD/21 1918 BD/22 1919 BD/23 1920 BD/24 1921 BD/25 1922 BD/26 1923
BD/27 1924 BD/28 1925 BD/29 1926 BD/30 1927 BD/31 1928 BD/32 1929 BD/33 1930 BD/34 1931 BD/35 1932 BD/36 1933 BD/37 1934 BD/38 1935 BD/39 1939 BD/40 1940 BD/41 1942 BD/42 1943 BD/43 1944 BD/44 1945 BD/45 1946 BD/46 1947 BD/47 1948 BD/48 1949 BD/49 1950 BD/50 1951 BD/51 1952 BD/52 1953 BD/53 1954
BD/54 1955 BD/55 1957 BD/56 1958 BD/57 1959 BD/58 1960 BD/59 1961 BD/60 1962 BD/61 1963 BD/62 1964 BD/63 1965 BD/64 1966 BD/65 1967 BD/66 1968 BD/67 1969 BD/68 1970 BD/69 1971 Overseers
BD/70 1946 BD/71 1947 BD/72 1949 BD/73 1950 BD/74 1951 BD/75 1952 BD/76 1953 BD/77 1956 BD/78 1957 BD/79 1958 BD/80 1959 BD/81 1960
BD/82 1961 BD/83 1962 BD/84 1963 BD/85 1966 BD/86 1967 BD/87 1970 BD/88 1971 Barcoorah
BD/89 1951 BD/90 1955 BD/91 1956 BD/92 1957 BD/93 1958 BD/94 1959 Bore 16
BD/95 1955 BD/96 1956 BD/97 1957 BD/98 1958 BD/99 1959 BD/100 1960 BD/101 1961 BD/l02 1962
Cash Books
Bowen Downs
BD/103 1870 - 1875
BD/104 1875 - 1881
BD/105 1881 - 1887
BD/106 1887 - 1892
BD/107 1897 - 1902
BD/108 1902 - 1909
BD/109 1909 - 1915
BD/110 1915 - 1928
BD/111 1920 - 1925
BD/112 1928 - 1950
BD/113 1916 - 1950 (Petty cash book)Eastmere
BD/114 Apr 1926 - Nov 1948
BD/115 1929 - 1931 : Market balance and scour records includes quarterly balance 1943-1947Champion
BD/116 1911 - 1929
BD/117 1929 - 1935
Day Books
Bowen Downs
BD/118 Oct 1872 - Mar 1874
BD/119 Feb 1877 - Nov 1878
BD/120 Jan 1879 - Dec 1884
BD/121 Jan 1885 - Dec 1898
BD/122 Oct 1924 - Dec 1926
BD/123 Aug 1912 - Jun 1947
Stores Books
Bowen Downs
BD/124 1921 - 1925 : Ledger No.2 includes sundry accounts, Oct 1947, Aug 1949 - Dec 1949.
BD/125 1933 - 1934 : Accounts.
BD/126 1939 - 1946 : Accounts.
BD/127 1926 - 1929 Contractors accounts includes rough stores 1943 - 1945.Champion
BD/128 Jul 1924 - Jun 1931 : Includes rainfall Sept. 1930 - Jun 1931.
Journals
Bowen Downs
BD/129 Oct 1869 - Feb 1879
BD/130 Mar 1879 - Dec 1887
BD/131 Jan 1888 - Jun 1897
BD/132 Jul 1897 - Jun 1909
BD/133 Jul 1909 - Jul 1921
BD/134 Jul 1921 - Dec 1935 Duplication of July 1921 entries due to delay in arrival of Journal.
BD/135 Jun 1945 - Mar 1961Eastmere
BD/136 Apr 1926 - Jun 1937
BD/137 Jun 1937 - Dec 1942
BD/138 Jun 1947 - Sept 1952Champion
BD/139 Jul 1924 - Jun 1935Salten Creek
BD/140 Jul 1922 - Jul 1928
Ledgers (Subsidiary)
Bowen Downs
BD/141 Sept 1907 - Mar 1909
BD/142 Nov 1915 - May 1919
BD/143 Jul 1916 - Jul 1928
BD/144 Jul 1921 - Jul 1928
BD/145 Jan 1923 - Jun 1924
BD/146 Jul 1925 - Jul 1928
BD/147 Jan 1936 - Dec 1941
BD/148 Jan 1942 - Jun 1951
BD/149 Jul 1951 - Aug 1952Eastmere
BD/150 Jun 1926 - Oct 1938
BD/151 Jun 1942 - Jan 1950
General Ledgers
BD/152 Apr 1867 - Mar 1873
BD/153 Apr 1873 - Apr 1879
BD/154 Mar 1877 - Mar 1880
BD/155 Mar 1879 - Dec 1887
BD/156 Jan 1888 - Jun 1892
BD/157 Jul 1892 - 1928 : Includes various 1940s accounts.
BD/158 Jan 1893 - Jan 1897
BD/159 Jun 1922 - Jul 1928
BD/160 Jul 1928 - Jun 1945
Shearers Washers Ledgers
Bowen Downs
BD/161 Sept 1876 - Sept 1878
BD/162 Index to BD/161
BD/163 Jun 1879 - Sept 1879
BD/164 Jul 1880 - Sept 1880
BD/165 Aug 1882 - Sept 1883
BD/166 Jul 1884 - Dec 1886
BD/167 Jan 1889 - Dec 1892 : Includes permanent staff at Reedy Creek for six months ending 30/6/1907.
BD/168 Jan 1893 - Jun 1898
ED/169 Jul 1898 - Nov 1906
BD/170 Sep 1909 - Oct 1912 : Includes index.
Mens Ledgers
Bowen Downs
BD/171 Oct 1872 - Sept 1873
BD/172 Index to BD/171
BD/173 Oct 1873 - Feb 1875
BD/174 Apr 1875 - Mar 1876 : Includes index and 12 page addenda.
BD/175 Apr 1876 - Sept 1876
BD/176 Index to BD/175
BD/177 Oct 1876 - Sept 1877 : Includes index.
BD/178 Oct 1877 - Mar 1878 : Includes index.
BD/179 Apr 1878 - Sept 1878
BD/180 Oct 1878 - Mar 1879 : Includes index.
BD/181 Apr 1879 - Mar 1880 : Includes index.
BD/182 Apr 1880 - Mar 1881 Includes index..
BD/183 Oct 1881 - Mar 1883
BD/184 Apr 1883 - Mar 1885
BD/185 Apr 1885 - Mar 1886
BD/186 Index to BD/185
BD/187 Apr 1886 - Jun 1892
BD/188 Index to BD/187
BD/189 Jul 1889 - Jun 1892
BD/190 Jul 1892 - Dec 1898 : Includes a statement of expenses incurred over Bowen Downs poisoning outrage 1895. See page 506.
BD/191 Index to BD/190
BD/192 Jan 1899 - Jun 1907
BD/193 Index to BD/192
BD/194 Jul 1907 - Jun 1919.
BD/195 Index to BD/194
BD/196 Jul 1907 - Sept 1925 : Casual
BD/197 Jul 1919 - Jun 1929
BD/198 Jul 1930 - Apr 1948 : Includes index.
Miscellaneous Records
Bowen Downs - Wages and Labour returns
BD/199 1880 - 1889
BD/200 1889 - 1896Ration Books
BD/231 Jul 1897 - Jun 1909
BD/202 Jul 1909 - Sept1925Time Book
BD/203 Jan 1930 - Jan 1947
Improvements
BD/204 May 1897 - May 1927
BD/205 Jun 1930 - Mar 1940: Mainly Eastmere, Barcoorah and Champion entriesDrilling Log
BD/206 1956 - 1957Invoice Book
BD/207 Jan 1925 - Jun 1928Stock Books
BD/208 Horse receipt book Jan 1882 - Jan 1914
BD/209 Return of sheep : Jun 1907 - Sept 1912
BD/210 Return of stock : Mar 1926 - Jun 1946
BD/211 Stud returns : Sept 1939 - Sept 1948
BD/212 Stud records : 1938 - 1952
BD/213 Stud records : May 1954 - Oct 1955
BD/214 Specification of dip : Aug 1921 — Dec 1926
Stores Account
BD/215 Feb 1871 Sept 1872 : Includes index. Jul 1890 - Nov 1890
BD/216 Jul 1890 - Nov 1890
Eastmere
BD/217 Wages ledger Jul 1934 - Jun
BD/218 Rations accounts : Jun 1941 - Jun 1946
BD/219 Improvements : 1940 - 1941
BD/220 Return of stock : Sept 1928 - Dec 1941
Saltern Creek
BD/221 Time Book Jul 1920 - Jul 1928
BD/222 Station returns : Mar 1913 - Jun 1928
BD/223 Shed wool book Sept 1925 - May 1928
BD/224 Stores accounts Jan 1905 - Jun 1928Letter Books
BD/225 Feb 1901 - Jan 1.935
BD/226 Mar 1906 - Mar 1929
BD/227 Oct 1917 - Dec 1917
BD/228 Nov 1918 - Feb 1927
BD/229 Nov 1934 - Mar 1936Correspondence
BD/230 1898 : 16 letters, Mss & typescript, (Envelope) 49p.
BD/231 1902 : 11 letters, 2 telegrams, Mss. l3p. Circular re Statistics of Queensland. Typescript. lp (Envelope) 14p.
BD/232 1903 : 32 letters & memoranda, 6 telegrams, Mss. (Envelope) 48p.
BD/233 Reference re G. Colless, 30/7/1936. Typescript. (Envelope) lp.
BD/234 Cemetery account, 1936. Mss. (Envelope) 1p.
BD/235 Letter to the sub-agent, National Service office, Aramac from J. T. Williams with attached copies of references, 11/7/1944. Mss. (Envelope) 4p.
Aramac Shire Council Records
Correspondence
BD/236 1942 : Typescript, (Envelope) 3p.
BD/237 1943 : Typescript, (Envelope) 11p.
BD/238 1944 : Typescript, (Envelope) 4p
BD/239 1946 : Typescript, (Envelope) l0p.
BD/240 1947 : Typescript, (Envelope) 45p.
BD/241 1948 : Typescript, (Envelope) 75p.
BD/242 1949 : Typescript, (Envelope) 11p.
BD/243 1952 : Typescript, (lEnvelope) 47p.
BD/244 1953 : Typescript, (Envelope) 28p.
BD/245 1954 : Typescript, (Envelope) 9p.
BD/246 1955 : Typescript, (Envelope) 2p.
BD/247 1956 : Typescript, (Envelope) lp.
BD/248 Miscellaneous undated pages. Mss. and typescript. 16p. Section of map of Bowen Downs. Mss. 1p. (Envelope) l7p.
24/10/1951. Typescript, 8p.
Graziers Association of Central and North Queensland
Minutes
Executive Sub-Committee
BD/249 29/7/1951 : Typescript, 4p.
BD/250 24/10/1951 : Typescript, 2p.Executive Committee
BD/251 24/10/1951 : Typescript, 4p
BD/252 Supplementary agenda to BD/251. Includes minutes of special general meeting of members. Typescript, 3p.
BD/253 16/11/1951 : Typescript, 3p.
BD/254 11/12/1951 : Typescript, 3p.Executive Council
BD/255 14/8/1951 : Includes index. Typescript, 29p.
BD/256 27/11/1951 : Includes index. Typescript, 49p.
BD/257 19/2/1952 : Includes index. Typescript, 48p.Annual Conference of Delegates
BD/258 19/4/1951 : Typescript, 15p.
BD/259 17/4/1952 : Typescript, 7p.Bowen Downs Branch
BD/260 5/9/1936 - 6/2/1948 (Minute book) Mss. and typescript.
BD/261 3/4/1948 - 30/10/1965 (Minute book) Mss. and typescript.
Circulars
BD/262 To Sheep Nembers and Registered Shearing Contractors re award rates for plessing 7/6/1951. Typescript, lp.
BD/263 To : All Members re special general meeting 24/10/1951. Typescript, lp.
BD/264 To All Members re income tax deductions - schedule of weekly instalments for general employees, 29/10/1951. Typescript, 1p.
BD/265 Duplicate of BD/264.
BD/266 To : All Members and Registered Shearing Contractors re basic wage increases — pastoral awards 29/10/1951. Typescript, 1p.
BD/267 General circular re fire fighting equipment 1/11/1951. Typescript, lp.
BD/268 To : All Members re 1952/53 assessment and levy 15/1/1952. Typescript, 1p.
BD/269 To : Sheep Br~nches re shearing industry matters 4/2/1952. Typescript, lp.
BD/270 To : Sheep - Owner Members re shearing industry matters 4/2/1952. Typescript, 1p.
BD/271 To : All Members re opposition to revaluation of the Australian pound. 11/3/1952, Typescript. 3p.
Reports
BD/272 Report presented to the Executive council Meeting by the Shearing Industry Committee 1418/19-51 Typescript, 1p.
BD/273 Report submitted to the Executive Committee by the Industrial Organiser 24/10/1951. Typescript, 2p.
BD/274 Report to the Executive Committee from the Cattle Committee 24/10/1951. Annotated typescript, 2p.
BD/275 Duplicate of BD/274. Not annotated.Correspondence
BD/276 Letter to R.M.McKenzie, Caber Feidh from the District Secretary 7/2/1951. Typescript, 1p.
BD/277 Letter to Miss Clarke, Secretary, Graziers Association, Longreach from the District Secretary 7/8/1951. Typescript, 1p.
BD/278 Letter to the President, Bowen Downs Branch from J.McEwen, Minister for Commerce and Agriculture 13/8/1951. Typescript, lp.
BD/279 Letter to R.McKenzie, Caber Feidh, from the District Secretary 11/10/1951. Typescript, lp.
BD/28O Letter to unidentified recipient from the District Secretary 13/11/1951. Typescript, 1p.
BD/281 Letter to C. Leslie from the Acting Secretary 21/1/1952. Typescript, 1p.
BD/282 Letter to the Secretary, Longreach from the District Secretary 31/1/1952. Typescript, lp.
BD/283 Letter to the Secretary, Bowen Downs Branch from R. McKenzie, Caber Feidh 11/2/1952. Mss. lp.
BD/284 Letter to C. Leslie, Bowen Downs from the Acting Secretary 4/2/1932. Typescript, lp.Miscellaneous Papers and Publications
BD/285 Receipt dated 15/12/1951 from the Scottish Australian Co. Ltd. Typescript, lp.
BD/286 Melbourne Cup Sweep Draw 1951. Typescript list with handwritten draw of horses. 1p.
BD/287 Bowen Downs list of members n.d. Typescript, 1p.
BD/288 Article based on a Report submitted by the Town Clerk of Unley, S.A. to his Council. n.d. Typescript, lp.C. & N. Monthly Bulletin Publication of the Graziers Association. Typescript.
BD/289 June 1951
BD/290 July 1951
BD/291 August 1951
BD/292 September 1951
BD/293 October 1951
BD/294 November 1951
BD/295 January 1952
BD/296 February 1952
BD/297 Duplicate of BD/296
BD/298 March 1952
BD/299 April 1952
BD/300 Blueprint of unidentified homestead submitted to Aramac Shire Council. Mss. lp.
BD/301 Dr. Bradfield’s Scheme for Watering Inland Queensland. Reprint from the Longreach Leader 31/12/1951. Typescript, lp.
BD/302 Fieldhouse, Arthur. The Students Elementary Commercial Book-Keeping. 35th edition. London. Simpkiu, Marshal, 1927.
BD/303 Beale, Stephen. Profitable Poultry Keeping. London. Routledge, 1883.
BD/304 Vigars, Francis Ernest. Station Book - Keeping. 4th edition. Sydney. Brooks, n.d.
BD/305 Queensland Brands Directory for 1888.
BD/306 Letter to Miss M. Mays, James Cook University of North Queensland from Mrs. Ivy Wilson, Charters Towers 4/3/79. Coutains information re life on Bowen Downs as a Housemaid. Mss. 4p.
Box 1. BD/1 - BD/6
Box 2. BD/7 - BD/12
Box 3. BD/13 - BD/21
Box 4. BD/22 - BD/28
Box 5. BD/29 - BD/36
Box 6. BD/37 - BD/46
Box 7. BD/47 - BD/6L
Box 8. BD/62 - BD/76
Box 9. BD/77 - BD/85
Box 10. BD/86 - BD/102
Box 11. BD/225 - BD/229
Box 12 BD/230 - BD/275
Box 13. BD/276 - BD/306
