Deutscher and Hackett

"Burenda Station", which was situated approximately 100 km north east of Charleville, Queensland, was a large pastoral holding owned by Mr Gordon Sandeman, a past member of both the NSW (1856-57) and the Queensland (1863-70) parliaments. The Rockhampton Bulletin of 30 September 1875 reported that it covered between 900 and 1,000 square miles and held stock of over 105,000 sheep, 3,000 cattle and 200 horses.

Henry Gordon Horsford Sandeman, known as Harry, visited the property and his relative Gordon during 1873-74. A detailed record of the visit exists in a manuscript journal that Harry wrote of the time and which is now held in the National Library of Australia, titled Gone Out to Australia (MS 3628a). "The festive season was drawing near and the races would help to keep the men away from the pubs." A purse of £100 was raised, as confirmed by an article in The Brisbane Courier 16/1/1874 which mentions the Boxing Day races at Burenda. Several races were held on the day and the "Xmas Handicap brought out five, Darby Kelly was again favourite, winning by a length."

There are only a few known oil paintings, all small in size, by Harry Sandeman but his painting of the Gathering for the Start of the Christmas Handicap and the illustrations found in his journal indicate that he was a very competent artist.