Ceremonial wheelbarrow and shovel

Wheelbarrow and shovel used at sod-turning ceremonies for railways in South Australia.

Wooden wheelbarrow with decorative scrolls painted green and a metal wheel. Panels of text painted in gold on the inside surfaces indicate that the wheelbarrow was used at various turning of the first sods ceremonies at the commencement of the railways from Port Augusta, Oodnadatta, and Tarcoola between 1878 and 1975.

"Decorated by W. J. Spence Port Augusta 1975" is painted on the underside of the wheelbarrow.