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Crocodiles have long been hunted by Aboriginal people for their meat, but the danger associated with the hunt meant that human beings did not have an impact on crocodile population numbers before the late 1940s. In the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries, European settlers in the north killed crocodiles, but no systematic hunting occurred. Hunting was opportunistic and individual crocodiles were killed by locals fearful for their safety, by visitors in search of novelty, and by rural workers when an opportunity offered itself. The crocodile population as a whole was not affected. Australian commercial crocodile hunting dates from the 1930s but at this stage it generally involved the employment of Aboriginal people to supply crocodile skins using traditional hunting methods. A range of different types of crocodile hunting developed during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s in Queensland. Commercial hunters killed crocodiles and efficiently retrieved their skins which were sold to dealers in Cairns. In the wake of the war, there were many men (and some women) familiar with firearms, eager for adventure, and unwilling to settle down into suburban life. Crocodile hunting was a dangerous business, but this group of hunters was effective and caused a significant decline in crocodile numbers across northern Australia. Cairns became a center for skin dealers who acted as middlemen between the hunters and overseas buyers. The lure of adventure brought less commercially-focused hunters north as well. Melbourne hairdresser Rene Henri founded the Australian Crocodile Shooters’ Club in 1950. The Club aimed to help tourists, particularly from New South Wales and Victoria, experience crocodile hunting in North Queensland. At first, the Club promoted safari cruises along with Cape York in the Tropic Seas (a boat captained by Vince Vlasoff) but in 1952 the Club expanded its operations by establishing a permanent base at Karumba in the Gulf of Carpentaria which is named the Gulf Country Club. Australian Crocodile Shooters’ Club members traveled to North Queensland to experience a luxurious hunting experience rather than to kill crocodiles in commercial quantities. The third group of hunters also came north. This group styled themselves professional hunters but were really on a type of working holiday. They sought adventure without the cost of a complete safari experience, attempted to pay their way by killing and skinning crocodiles, and generally did no better than break even financially. They killed many crocodiles but did not always manage to secure commercially valuable skins. Source: www.qhatlas.com.au/crocodile-hunting

Jenyn's corset on display

The young model does not appear to be very matronly! Perhaps that is the point of the advertisement. Look younger with a Jenyns corset. Expectations of women have not changed that much over the years!

Happy fishermen display their remarkable catch of large Spanish Mackerel.

Fishing is one of Bowen's biggest attractions, with numerous creek systems, coral studded islands, offshore reefs, and most importantly, abundant fish life. Bowen has many creek systems, which hold healthy numbers of Mangrove-jack, Bream, Whiting, and Barramundi (closed season Nov 1st-Feb 1st). Bowen offers a multitude of offshore fishing options, and you will only need to go a short way to access many of the inshore islands and reefs, which hold good numbers of Coral Trout, Sweetlip, and Mackerel. These islands include Lighthouse, Stone, Middle, and the magnificent Gloucester and Holbourne islands, all of which, have abundant reefs for both line and spearfishing, especially for the very tasty painted crayfish. Bowen is renowned for its Spotted and Spanish Mackerel fishing, and from June through to September, the bountiful Bowen Mackerel patches are only a short, 5km boat run from the Grays Bay Boat Ramp. These fish arrive in huge numbers and when they come to the bite, the fishing is simply world-class. Source: www.tourismbowen.com.au/fishing