Simpsons Gap
Headed out to
Simpsons Gap, saw the Memorial to
Rev. John Flynn, founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Interesting man, visionary really, providing medical care to those in the outback in the 1920’s would have been very challenging. Also visited the Alice Springs Telegraph station, where the telegraph repeater station between Adelaide and Darwin was situated. Until it was commissioned in 1886, Australia had no telegraph link to the rest of the world. Now, messages could be passed around the world to and from Australia in hours rather than weeks by ship!
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| Memorial to the Rev. John Flynn, founder of the now Royal flying Doctor Service |
Rev. John Flynn, founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Interesting man, visionary really, providing medical care to those in the outback in the 1920’s would have been very challenging. Also visited the Alice Springs Telegraph station, where the telegraph repeater station between Adelaide and Darwin was situated. Until it was commissioned in 1886, Australia had no telegraph link to the rest of the world. Now, messages could be passed around the world to and from Australia in hours rather than weeks by ship!
At the
Telegraph station was Charlie. Charlie is an Aborigine who lived there in the
1940’s after he was taken from his family as part of the “Stolen Generation”.
Very heartening to listen to him speak of that time and his experiences. He is
not negative or bitter, just factual and a great insight into a different time
in our country's history.
Also
interesting was Sam’s comment:
Sam:“So, Dad.
Did they take him away from his Mum and Dad just because his mum was an
Aborigine and his dad was white?”
Me:“Yes mate,
they did.”
Sam “ But
that’s just wrong! Why would they do that? Its not fair on him, or his mum and
dad!”
Me: “ I know,
but they don’t do it now….. but back then they thought it was going to help
them”
Sam “I just
don’t get it!”
Yep, me
either mate!
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