In colonial Australia, particularly in the early to mid-19th century, squatting was the occupation of large tracts of Crown land, typically to graze livestock, without formal legal title. Although squ
Archibald Clunes Innes, a prominent squatter in the colony of New South Wales, silhouette by W.H. Fernyhough, 1836
Colonial artist S. T. Gill supports Aboriginal land rights and condemns the Squattocracy in Squatter of N. S. Wales: Monarch of all he Surveys, 1788 (above) and Squatter of N. S. Wales: Monarch of more than all he Surveys, 1863 (below).
Warfare between squatters and Aboriginal people in South Australia
1845 political cartoon by Edward Winstanley, critical of Governor George Gipps' land reforms
Waltzing Matilda
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"Waltzing Matilda" is a song developed in the Australian style of poetry and folk music called a bush ballad. It has been described as the country's "unofficial national anthem".
Squatting (Australian history)
…at Melbourne University is named. Literature: The power of the squatters, including their affinity with the police, is referenced in Banjo Paterson's "Waltzing Matilda", Australia's most famous folk song. Clara Morison by Catherine Helen Spence explores the power of Australia to transform those with a lowly social…
Original manuscript, transcribed by Christina Macpherson, c. 1895
Combo Waterhole, thought to be the location that inspired the story of "Waltzing Matilda"
Fortified temporary shearing shed at Dagworth Station following the 1894 arson of the main shed. The three troopers at left may be those referred to in "Waltzing Matilda", while the squatter was Bob Macpherson, fourth from right.
Photograph of a swagman, c. 1901, holding a billy and carrying a swag on his back