First impressions

The Salvation Army rode into Longreach in 1894 at a time when the town was very different than it is today. Queensland Salvation Army Commander, Charles Jeffries, who visited Longreach in 1895, had this to say: Large numbers of shearers, bushmen and carriers … come into town at certain seasons. At such times the town presents a lively appearance, and the 11 hotels, some of them with their accompanying music-halls and dance rooms, do a flourishing trade. Every bar and hotel veranda is crowded with fine big strapping fellows, almost without exception clad in white moleskin trousers, check shirt and wide-brimmed slouch hat, intent on “knocking down” their cheque as fast as possible.