'In the 1890s, when Queensland became known for opals, the outback area where the gems were found was a male domain: few women chose to live there. But one celebrated exception was a woman whose name was Isobel Robinson, although everyone called her the Eulo Queen, after the name of the town whose economy she dominated. She wore a gold belt, as thick as her arm, studded with opals the size of Victorian pennies, and she glittered as she walked.'¹ Mrs Robinson ran the Royal Mail Hotel, buying opals from local miners. As well as being a charming hostess, she was accomplished at playing cards, billiards, horse riding and shooting. She outlived several husbands, and built and lost more than one fortune before dying penniless in 1929 in Toowoomba. The Royal Mail Hotel is now the Eulo Queen Hotel, and is one of the area's main tourist attractions. Sawrey has depicted the Eulo Queen wearing a large opal brooch and earring.

1. Finlay, R., 'Romancing the Stones', The Age, Melbourne, 18 March 2006