Eulo owes its existence to the fact that it is situated near a good waterhole on the eastern bank of the Paroo River and because it lies on the direct route of travel to the West.
Where did the name, “Eulo”, come from? Stories vary. One theory is that it was named after a European woman whose name was pronounced “Eulo” although the spelling was different. Another theory links the name to Aboriginal origins. Some say it means a dry place/creek/river while others insist it means wet springs. The original township was built closer to the river but was moved to higher ground (its current location), after floods almost wiped out the entire town.
For more information on the colourful town of Eulo, check out the town website www.eulo.com.au or
contact Helen Rosenow of the Eulo Development Association on (07) 4655 4849.
Eulo Heritage Trail
The Eulo Queen
The only remaining Hotel in Eulo is named after Isobel, a legendary character, shrouded in mystery and conjecture.
Isobel is believed to have been born on Mauritius, Isle of France, in about 1850. She was an extremely cultured woman, who spoke French and German fluently, she was also a very shrewd business woman.
Isobel married three times and supposedly had a daughter who died at a young age. After the death of her first husband, Mr. McIntosh, she married Richard Robinson and established herself as a prominent resident of Eulo at the turn of the century.
Mrs. Robinson, simply known locally as “Maggie”, was a colourful character, with a taste for good jewellery (including Yowah opals), and an authoritative presence, from which she earned her nickname.
She acquired the Royal Mail Hotel in 1889, and the Empire Hotel by 1900, together with a butcher’s shop and store. Although she lost her licenses due to shady dealings and violations of the Liquor Act, she used employees as phoney licensees and continued to trade. In 1912 Isobel bought the Metropolitan Hotel.
The Great War heralded the collapse of her empire with continued run-ins with the law and her two remaining hotels burning down. She also lost her third and most beloved husband, Herbert Gray, when he was killed in action. Isobel left Eulo in 1922, after attempting suicide, an alcoholic with a broken spirit. Sadly, Isobel McIntosh/Robinson/Gray died in a mental home in Toowoomba in 1929 aged 79.
Bullock Teams
John Terrence Geppert, was the last bullock driver to operate in Eulo. He sold his bullock team of 22 in 1948. In 1936 they were paid a shilling per ton per mile to carry bales of wool from properties to the railway in Cunnamulla.
Eulo Sports Grounds
The Eulo Sports Grounds were assigned when a lease for the property was given to the trustee of the Eulo Combined Churches Sports Committee in 1973. The first sports day was conducted at the grounds in 1977 and a plaque was erected near the horse yards built by Mick Schute.
Air-Raid Shelters
Tiny Eulo was chosen as a site for a safety shelter during WWII. There were two reasons for the decision. Firstly, Eulo lies in the direct flight path from Darwin to Melbourne and secondly because the town was a communication link used to wire information between major centres. The building of the shelter – made of heavy gauge corrugated steel curved over a trench – was a government project. The shelter is situated at the side of the Eulo Stores. When first built, the shelter could hold about fifty people standing up. Today, the rusty half-moon shape shelter could be mistaken for a dog
Eulo features prominently on the itinerary of many Out the Back Australia Tours.
If you’d like an “access all areas” pass to this unique town, see it as part of a 6-day tour package or a 9-day backpacker tour.
Eulo Race Track
The Eulo Race Track was first built in the 1930’s. The final race meeting of the Paroo Race Club was held on the 12th October 1957, followed by a gala ball at the town hall.
Eulo Post Office
The Post Office was opened on the 16th September 1872. Beginning in 1870 a fortnightly mail run was established from Cunnamulla to Thargomindah, passing through Eulo. In 1871, it became a weekly service. By 1884 the mail service was running twice weekly. In 1878 fortnightly mail services operated between Eulo and Beechal by horse and a weekly service between Eulo and Hungerford. Telegraph extensions were built from Cunnamulla to Eulo, the work completed by 29 April 1881. The 4½ miles of line took just over four months to complete. Of the 2503 telegraph messages handled in 1883, only 83 were official, proof that even back then the locals loved a good gossip. A manual Telephone Exchange was opened at the Post Office in April 1921. In 1969 the total number of subscriptions had risen to 29. The Eulo Post Office closed in 1982 due to the introduction of automatic telephones. The Eulo Store then became a Post Office Agency.
Eulo Date Farm
Afghan Cameleers were responsible for introducing the date palm to Australia in the early 1800’s. Many date palms still survive around bores in the more arid areas of Australia.
The Eulo Date Farm was first established near Eulo in the 1980s. For over two decades a number of unique products have been introduced along with fresh and dried dates and most recently figs by Ian and Nan Pike.
Royal Flying Doctor Service
The RFDS first commenced serving Eulo in 1980. It operates out of Charleville on a regular monthly run, when a Clinic is held at the Eulo Hall For more information on the monthly clinics, please contact Nan Pike on (07) 4655 4890 or (07) 4655 4900. The Flying Doctor is also available to the area in the case of emergencies. The local community holds regular fundraisers to assist with this invaluable service.
Church of St. Francis
Excerpts from the records and archives centre of The Anglican Church of Australia – Diocese of Brisbane.
December 1956: At Eulo, the building of a new church has commenced. About 1100 pounds is in hand to cover the quoted cost of 1580 pounds. Money has been lent by various interested people of Eulo to cover the remainder. On Sunday 15th September, 1957, the Archbishop will dedicate the new church of St. Francis of Assisi, Eulo.
The occasion will be the culmination of months of hard work and planning. Previously there has been no Anglican Church at Eulo. The building to be free at the time of its dedication. May 1958: At Eulo, the people are gradually adding to the interior appearance and furnishings of the church. May 1964: Eulo are 400 pounds in credit and were able to give 100 pounds to the Cunnamulla Building Fund and provide a carpet for the church. A Sunday school operates at this centre.
Air Strip
The air-strip was laid in 1957. It is one of the few strips within walking distance of the town and is used by graziers, visitors and the Flying Doctor.
Paroo River
The Paroo River was discovered by the explorer, Dowling, in 1846 while surveying the region from N.S.W. Building of the bridge began in 1927 and was completed in 1928 under the supervision of Hornibrook. The Weir beside the bridge was constructed privately in 1987 for irrigation and recreational purposes, to be enjoyed by both locals and visitors to the area. The flood truck, used to ferry passengers and food supplies across the swollen Paroo River in rare times of rain, was a generous private donation after prolonged, severe flooding in 1990.
Eulo Lizard Races
Started in 1968, the World Lizard Racing Championships were held in conjunction with the Cunnamulla/Eulo Opal Festival. Each year, on or about the last week in August, people came from all over Australia and overseas to witness these races.
Prior to the races, suitable lizards were auctioned – the record being $1065 paid out by a syndicate in 1983. The World Record for the race is 2.5 seconds, set by “Herbie”, a Cunnamulla shingleback, in 1972. After the day of races all lizards were returned to the exact site from which they were found.
At the side of the race track there is also the famous Destructo Monument which commemorates the death of the famous cockroach Destructo, who was accidentally trodden on after challenging and beating, the champion lizard.
The last lizard races were held in 2004.
Eulo School
A Provisional School was opened in Eulo in 1888. In 1909 it became a State School. Attendance for the first year was 28 pupils. It rose to 59 in 1913, then varied from anywhere between 22 and 46. It is difficult to find a reason for these changes. In 1993 enrolments hit an all-time low, with only 4 students attending. The Department of Education threatened closure of the school unless numbers could be increased considerably – and those numbers maintained. The Eulo community rallied and a Student Hostel was built beside the school with accommodation provided for 20 students and a House Mother. This provided an opportunity for children from properties in the district to attend the local school.
Eulo Hall
The Hall was built on land donated by local grazier P.R. Beresford. The Hall was the venue for the first Opal Festival Ball, held in 1968.
Today the Eulo Hall is used by art and craft groups, for meetings and Flying Doctor Clinics.
Flora and Fauna of the Eulo Area
Flora
The Yapunyah Tree (euc ochrophloia) is native to south-west Queensland. It grows to a height of 20m. The tree has weeping branches with a reddish trunk. The honey produced by this tree has a unique flavour. Another good yielding honey tree is the Bimble Box (euc popilnea), which has glossy green, broad leaves. Other eucalypt trees are the Coolibah (euc coolabahs), River Red Gum (euc camadulensis) and Blood Wood (uuc terminalis). The Acacia Cambagei (the gidyea or gidgee) occurs naturally and is a good timber tree. Acacia Aneura (mulga) grows abundantly in this area and is an excellent source of fodder in dry seasons.
Fauna
The kangaroo, emu and a large variety of lizards are native to the area. There is also huge variety of birds including Burkes Parrot and Halls Babbler. Enthusiasts travel from all over Australia to view these birds. Due to dams and watering areas built by graziers, the kangaroo population flourishes in the area. They have become a nuisance by invading paddocks and damaging fences. They are also dangerous for travellers as they feed alongside the road and move unpredictably when startled by vehicles.
Eulo Clubs
Eulo Polocrosse Club
Polocrosse is a combination of polo, lacrosse and netball. It is played on horseback, each rider using a cane stick, made up of a polo stick shaft to which is attached a squash racquet type head with a loose twisted-thread net, in which the ball is carried. To play you need a horse, helmet, riding equipment, polocrosse racquet, club saddlecloth and uniform.
Polocrosse is a fantastic spectator sport so you don’t need to be a rider to come along and enjoy the fun. For those who participate it is a great sport that the whole family can enjoy.