Although Birdsville may be a remote town in western Queensland I think that most if not all Queenslanders have heard of it, as have many people from around Australia, especially those who have an interest in horse-racing. I am told that it has a population of one hundred residents outside of the tourist season. Almost directly north and just on 190 km from Birdsville is another town with the same population – although no racetrack – which fewer Queenslanders know about. This is the little town of Bedourie. Bedourie is the western-most town in our Diocese of Rockhampton, the most distant extent of the Western Pastoral Ministry. The road ‘out’ there crosses into the Diocese of Townsville, taking you via Winton and through some stunning country which reminds me of the cowboy pictures we used to watch as children. Another four hours or so takes you to Boulia where an overnight stop is necessary after travelling from Barcaldine. It’s almost 220 km directly south back into the Diocese of Rockhampton before you arrive at Bedourie.

There isn’t a Church of any description in the little town. On a rare occasion such as 2018 when Bishop Michael visited with Fr. Matthew - taking drought packages with them – locals gather in one of the public spaces for Mass. Last year it was in the Shire hall. The time before that it was in a room at the Primary Health Centre. It is only once a year that Cath and I make the journey to visit the people, those in town and when possible those from the properties. As you might remember from Primary School Geography or Social Studies classes, the country is very poor – gibber plains - and consequently the properties are huge at a million to two million acres. There are not many people living in that part of the State.

 Several years ago, timing our visit to happen between the many tourist events in the Diamantina during June, July and September, we happened to be in town when MISA (Mount Isa School of the Air) held its annual mini-school. Children and parents/govies came to town for the week from hundreds of kilometres in all directions. It proved to be ideal for us, ensuring that we were able to see the maximum number without having to travel hours over some very corrugated ‘roads’ to properties. Each year now, I contact MISA to check when the mini-school will occur and to make sure that our presence to link up with the families will be acceptable. Members of staff have been most welcoming.

Winton to Middleton

  Over the week it is possible to spend time both visiting around town (Shire Office, Health Centre, Information Centre, Police etc.) and with those from the properties. The year before last it was an opportunity for me to give an initial face-to-face lesson with one of the children preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation – so much better than the usual phone lessons. Although there was about two and a half inches of rain early in the year over some of that far western area, at one stage Bedourie was surrounded by water which was the result not of rain but of the movement of water from areas to the north. Footage on Landline several months ago showed the amazing advance of water across the land in the phenomenon known as a “dry flood”. It has brought some relief and some welcome green in parts of the country. My thoughts and prayers remain with those we met and with all who are living and working in the Diamantina, that distant part of the Diocese of Rockhampton.

 Western Pastoral Ministry (Sr. Mary Farrelly)