General News
9 October, 2024
Celebrating Year of the Camel
This year has been designated as the international Year of the Camel in celebration of the role the camel plays in human culture and endeavours.
Warracknabeal Show will commemorate this by having camels available for rides, brought to attendees by Billabong Ranch at Echuca.
"Most people around here might never get the chance to ride a camel," show secretary Fred Ackland said.
The Wimmera was once home to the camels that had survived Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills' expedition to Australia's northern coast at the Gulf of Carpentaria, as on their arrival back south they were taken to Longerenong Station in September of 1862.
Owned by Samuel Wilson, Longerenong Station was 153,000 acres, giving the 17 returned camels plenty of paddock space in a dry climate.
After a year, the herd had grown to 25, eight new foals having been born.
Sadly, however, not all the camels from Burke and Wills' expedition recovered to good health, a few dying.
A number of young and healthy camels were used in another expedition.
In 1874 Mr Wilson sold the station and the remaining seven camels were looked after by John Barnes.
Billabong Ranch is on 390 acres at Echuca.
The camels are professionally trained and love interacting with people during festivals, fairs, markets and shows.