Michael Patrick Durack's leather satchel

When the centre of government administration lies 3000 km to the south, it was important to keep your legal documents and land titles safe. This satchel was made for MP Durack by an Argyle Saddler in the 1890s. He carried it with him everywhere, whether travelling by horseback, buggy, or in later years, by motorcar. He referred to it always as “my secretary”. His initials can be seen at the top of the case. MP Durack possibly used this satchel to hold the titles to the Durack leases, that had been issued in the 1880s. Patsy Durack’s cousins “Big Johnnie”, “Black Pat” and “Long Michael" had led many other drovers with four large mobs of cattle to make the gruelling 2½ year-trip, bringing 7,250 cattle to take up their Kimberley runs which they called Argyle Downs Station, Lissadell and Rosewood Stations.