Central Queensland Separation League Petition 1892-1893: treasure collection of the John Oxley Library

Separation is a recurring theme in Queensland history.  The expansive size of the state is a key factor contributing to the core argument of secessionist movements – that the seat of government in the south-east corner was so far removed from substantial portions of the state that these areas and their citizens were left disadvantaged and neglected as political and economic interests focused on the south.

One significant 19th century separatist movement was the Central Queensland Territorial Separation League, established in 1889.  Supplementing this, the women of Rockhampton established their own separation league in October 1892. The inaugural meeting of the Women’s Central Queensland Territorial Separation League was held at the Rockhampton School of Arts and attended by 200 women.  The League resolved to add support to the efforts of their husbands, brothers and friends to help influence the movement.

Their main focus was preparing a petition to Queen Victoria.  The introductory text set out their grievances.  It describes the immense size of Queensland:

Following this introduction are the transcribed and certified names of around 4000 women, along with their marital status and area of residence.

In compiling the names on this petition, there were no paid canvassers.  The League members voluntarily undertook the task, canvassing through populated areas as well as bush districts.  One of these women – Margaretta Ramm – went to great lengths and rode considerable distances alone between towns and homesteads.  On her first day out canvassing, she rode 27 miles for just 7 signatures.  Detailing this particularly difficult day in the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin, Margaretta described how her day’s ride started out quite pleasantly.  Later in the day however, she was caught in a fierce storm, drenched in a torrential downpour, with her horse being bogged over the fetlocks at every step.  In pelting rain and only able to see a few yards ahead, she became lost in the flat terrain as the track disappeared under a blanket of water as far as she could see.  Away from home since early morning, night was beginning to fall.  Almost losing hope, she happened to run against a wire fence, which fortuitously led her to a nearby homestead.

The signatories of this petition, which measures over 33 metres, were women aged 21 and above.  A later report of League Women’s Committee stated that had the age been reduced to 18 years, another 2000 names could have been added. 

Today, it is a relatively easy task to create a petition – using an online platform and publicising on social media.  This petition is a reminder of the effort once involved in taking up a cause, and the particular challenges for women in taking up that cause in a large geographical area with a scattered population. 

The petition also provides evidence that it was not only men who were actively involved in separatist movements, but also women, with their activism occurring well before women had gained the right to vote.  At a time when women’s lives were no doubt dominated by domestic and household demands, many of the women who contributed to the cause did so with dogged and wilful determination.

The petition is stored in the Rare and Restricted collections of the John Oxley Library.

Maxine Fisher, Specialist Librarian, State Library of Queensland

Collection: OM86-05 Central Queensland Separation League Petition 1892-1893

Other Blogs: Rockhampton Revolutionaries: Dreams of secession in Central Queensland

Read about other treasure collections from the John Oxley Library

1. Margaret Lawrie Collection of Torres Strait Islands
2. Johnstone Gallery Archive
3. Archibald Meston Papers
4. Mary Watson diaries
5. (I’m) Stranded : No Time, The Saints
6. Real estate maps collection
7. Portrait of an Australian Artists' Book
8. John Watts Necklace
9. Stable collection 1917 - 1991
10. Tony Fitzgerald Collection 1984 - 2009
11. Tindale Genealogical Collection 1928-1960
12. Charles Seymour Papers 1880-1924
13. Dr Barbara Piscitelli AM Children’s Art Archive 1990-2020
14. Bennett Family Films 1956 – 1988
15. The Ron and Ngaire Gale Photographic Collection
16. Storylines Q150 digital stories