#thomson river

[redrcs]

You can't do that in croc country.

Fishermen on the Thomson River, Longreach.

On my travels.

[silentambassadors]

A breakaway micronation in the Australian state of Victoria, the Independent State of Rainbow Creek was declared on July 23, 1979, by the first governor, Thomas Barnes, a retired police officer who took up arms (figuratively) against the bureaucracy of the state when it became apparent that the state and its myriad of governmental agencies were willing to levy charges against farmers for land that had been subsumed by an offshoot of the Thomson River at Cowwarr due to mismanagement of the existing (state-built) road bridge over the river.  The farmers were being levied in triplicate for a situation not of their making, and in emulation of the micronation at Hutt River in Western Australia, Barnes and his neighbors seceded from the Commonwealth of Australia (but not from the Commonwealth of Nations - QEII is still their declared sovereign).  The situation at Rainbow Creek that spurred independence is, alas, still unresolved.

Stamp details: Issued on: July 23, 1980 From: Independent State of Rainbow Creek MC #N/A

Recognized as sovereign states by the UN: No Claimed by: Commonwealth of Australia Member of the Universal Postal Union: No

[michael-massa-micon]

Hell’s Gate Air Tram - September 2023 Hell’s Gate is a narrows on the Thomson River that has been a tourist attraction for many years. A cable tram takes you from the east cliff to the much lower west cliff and gives a great view of the river, the suspension bridge, and the salmon ladders. In the gardens surrounding the shops and restaurants, there is a bronze statue showing how Simon Frazer first explored the canyon using rope and log bridges provided by the Thomson Indian Tribe. MWM

[michael-massa-micon]

Railroad Tunnels - September 2023 The Thomson River Canyon is perhaps unique in that there are two different railroad lines running down each side of the canyon. The Canadian Northern Railway built its tracks on the east side of the Thomson River. The Canadian Pacific built their tracks on the west side. These tunnels and protection spaces were on the west side of the river while we traveled on the east side. Thus Kathy was able to capture several really good images of these engineering marvels. MWM