Natural Resources/Industry

Lake St. Clair held abundant seasonal resources for the Big River Tribe. As

Europeans arrived they looked to the land for both mining and grazing opportunities.

Below is a quote from James Calder, an earlier mineral explorer, and he comments on the Lake St. Clair region.

“The host of simpletons who (incapable of learning anything from the bitter lessons of the past) are even now throwing all overboard to enable them to reach those newly found diggings; where nine-tenths of them are destined to find delusion and ruin on the field; where they are taught to believe that they will meet with nothing but the favours of fortune.”

- James Erskine Calder, 9th April 1860

It is true that mining exploits in this area met with very little or no reward.

Imagine that it is 1860 and you have just arrived in the state to prospect for gold around Lake St. Clair. Whilst preparing in Hobart you read this comment in the newspaper - How do you feel about this? Are you still optimistic? Or has this crushed your dreams?

Write a letter in response to Mr. Calder’s statement.

Lake St. Clair showed greater potential as grazing land for sheep and cattle, particularly because of the naturally formed “button grass pastures”.

Dr. Jetson has compiled a comprehensive historical account of the life and times of Western Tasmanian droving.

From these accounts and photographs you are to create a poster with Lake St. Clair as the backdrop, and you atop a horse, mustering livestock along the waters edge.

Be sure to label your equipment, livestock, the geographical features, and of course, your trusty steed.