An informal photograph of a group of men, mostly in loose-fitting trousers and dark jackets, standing behind a kneeling camel. They are wearing different turban styles. The camel has been covered in highly-decorated fine cloths. It was presented to the Duke of York during his visit in July 1901 during his tour of Australia. Original caption: 'Presentation of Camel. Hobart'.

This photograph shows 'Afghan' cameleers who worked in Australia during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Australia's hot and dry regions are difficult and dangerous to cross. Camel trains proved more successful for transported wool bales and other cargo compared to horses and early motor vehicles. The British therefore imported camels and men skilled at working with them to aid the colonisation of Australia. Many of them were Pashtuns and Balochs. Some were from Afghanistan but others came from British India (including the North-West Frontier Province, parts of Balochistan and Punjab). Some came from other parts of the world, including Egypt and the Ottoman Empire. White settlers in Australia used the terms Afghans or Ghans indiscriminately to cover all these men. Many cameleers left during the 1930s as discriminatory legislation and competition from motor vehicles made it difficult to stay but some settled, moving to other trades.

Afghan cameleers were the first permanent Muslim settlers in Australia, some introducing Islam to Aboriginal groups. Their graves of can be found at sites around Australia today. Some Australians claim descent from these men. Another legacy is Australias large population of feral camels, the product of cameleers releasing their animals into the wild when no longer needed.