Tom Dancey came bolting out of the Queensland bush and ran so fast that all the photographer at the 1910 Stawell Gift footrace could capture was his ankle going across the finish line five strides in front of the second-place getter.
It was said that the wiry Aboriginal stockman of the Kamilaroi people developed his freakish speed by chasing emus through the scrub at Dirranbandi, out west of Goondiwindi, and he pulled off a stunning victory in the Melbourne Cup of human sprint races.
Stawell becomes the centre of the Australian sporting world every Easter Monday for the annual race.
The Gift is run on a handicap system on grass over 120m up a slight gradient and the men’s and women’s finals cap an historic athletics carnival that began as a male-only event in 1878.
The great race aside, Stawell draws visitors all year round to the picturesque town of 6000 people, 240 kilometres west of Melbourne.
Stawell’s Diamond House Heritage Restaurant and Motor Inn is a freehold going concern priced at $1.4m.

Originally constructed in 1868, it is one of the oldest and most distinctive houses in Stawell and situated on a large 1450m2 corner allotment in the heart of the town.
The property offers 10 attractive, well-equipped motel rooms across two levels, each capable of accommodating three adults with a queen and single option.
There is also plenty of off-street parking for guests.

Evan Stewart, from McDonald Hospitality Brokers, said four new motel-style accommodation units were set for completion in time to hear the starter’s gun for the 2023 Gift.
The Diamond House has a commercial kitchen and a current Victorian liquor licence, and its world-travelled chef presents modern Australian cuisine with Asian inspired twists. The food has drawn favourable comparisons with the best fare from top Melbourne restaurants.
The Diamond House bar also is a great local attraction, bringing the best of Australian Blues and Roots Guitar music to country Victoria.
“There is also a nice big function room that can host 60 guests and a restaurant that seats 39,” Mr Stewart said.

“The property also comes with a very nice two-bedroom manager’s unit that could be rented out as additional accommodation.
“Stawell is very well located for travellers. You come out of Ballarat on the road to Adelaide and Stawell is a great stopping place with a lot of attractions. This is the only motel in Stawell off the highway and it is popular not just with travellers but with people doing business in the agriculture and mining sectors.

“It also offers a double revenue stream with the accommodation and restaurant.”
Stawell is the closest large town to the Grampians National Park, making it an ideal base to explore the natural attractions of that wondrous area.
The town was an important gold mining centre during the great rush of the 19th century, and the company Stawell Gold Mines is still going strong. There is a viewing area on Reefs Road for the public to see its operations.
A few hundred metres south-west of the main shopping precinct is Central Park with its heritage-listed grandstand that hosts the Stawell Gift. At almost 150 years of age, the Gift remains one of the world’s most famous and prestigious foot races.
Central Park also houses the Stawell Gift Hall of Fame museum, which is a must-see attraction.
Every Easter thousands of runners and athletics fans from all over Australia and around the world make the pilgrimage to Stawell for the great race.
The inaugural winner, Bill Millard, a farmer from Condah, Victoria, collected £20 for his triumph. Millard married twice and had 22 children.
When Millard won the first Gift in 1878 he did so on gravel. When his great grandson, Daniel Millard triumphed in the 116th Gift in 1997 it was on grass.
Last year’s winners Harrison Kerr and Carla Bull each pocketed $40,000.
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