[Not that this article is only the first part of this story of the WA-NT border determinations in 1921, when they were ~2km from - To read what then happened in 1927 - Read more about the 1927 construction of the Kimberley Obelisk (but after you've read the article below :^) Enjoy! KHS] This article describes the first determinations of longitude 129 degrees or 129th meridian east, which by Letters of Patent became the Western Australian (Swan River Colony 1829) border. The first calls for marking the West Australian border on the ground had been made with the first pastoralists in the East Kimberley, as virtually all of these were close to the border. Argyle downs bordered with the north end of Rosewood station along 129 degrees, which was the site chosen for these determinations. This northern part of Rosewood station was in the Northern Territory following the border for approximately 30km further south, at which point on the Argyle/Rosewood boundary, part of Rosewood also extends into Western Australia, however all of Argyle Downs was in Western Australia. As well as this and other pastoral disputes, mining ventures opening up further south, the Government, encouraged with South Australian involvement, moved to marke the border on the ground for the first time. - KHS - Hope you enjoy this work. An article corrected by KHS on the National Library of
Australia's great Australian history search engine called "Trove," which
can search pictures, maps, news articles, manuscripts, diaries etc in a
single search. The article is presented here in a new illustrated form
using photographs from the KHS Hambidge Family Collection, which has
been sought out through KHS research and
comes courtesy of the family of the late, former SA Surveyor General, CM
Hambidge,
via another former Surveyor General of SA, John Porter and Chris Jordan
both of South Australia.
Thursday 18 August 1921
[13 corrections (on Trove and illustrated here) by Kununurra-Historical-Society - KHS encourages all viewers to sign up (free) at the National Library of Australia online to correct OCR'd newspaper articles such as this. Let us know if you do a new Kimberley article. We have available to view at the museum all text corrected and saved in a North Australian Research Chronology mixed with all other research resources]
![]() 1921 - "C.M. Hambidge on camel at the southern S.A.W.A. survey camp" - KHS-2011-15-20-P2-D CM Hambidge Family Collection ![]()
1921 - "The Bambra on mud at Broome. Return journey from survey of SAWA border" - KHS-2011-15-10-P2-D
CM Hambidge Family Collection
[From MP Durack's Diary] - June 15th [1921]
Started off this a.m. Two cars. Mr Curlewis in my car. Call at Wireless
Station on way. Ivanhoe Station 4.20 p.m. My Ford pulled splendidly.
Passed Tommy Adolph with the Bag and baggage on Blue Bush Plain. The
party engaged tonight taking sights-expect arrive at Longitude tomorrow
morning
[Article continues] The Outward Journey.
1921 - "The 'Bend in the Ord' and House Roof Hill on route to Argyle station" - KHS-2011-15-18-P2-D CM Hambidge Family Collection [Ivanhoe Station - Ord River][The Ivanhoe Station was a Durack property originally called the "Stud Station," most of which was resumed to make way for the Ord River Irrigation Area and the new town of Kununurra in between 1959 and 1961. - In the article here it is interesting to note that the astronomers here, determine the longitude of the old Ivanhoe Station site (Burnt in 1950s moved to new site).] Ivanhoe, one of Messrs. Connor, Doherty. and Durack's many stations
were reached just after sundown. It is situated close to the Ord River in very fertile country, and is under the management of Mr.
Jones, who proved a most genial and kindly host. A strange sight
this crossing in the dry season, a narrow rivulet winding its way
through great stretches of boulders and wastes of sand, with belts
or timber here and there, and on either side the steep banks lined
thick with trees of all kinds. In flood time it must be a very
wonderful spectacle, and dangerous, too, for several lives have been
lost in the foaming mile-wide torrent. It must not be thought that
the whole bed of the Ord dries up.
1921 - "Ivanhoe Stn. and lagoon, Kimberley district, about 50 miles from Wyndham" - KHS-2011-15-11-P2-D CM Hambidge Family Collection
[From MP Durack's Diary] - June 16th [1921 - Latitude of Ivanhoe Determined]
Mr. Hambridge [sic - Should be "Hambidge"] took Latitude Ivanhoe last
night, also rough Longitude Lat. 15.40:2" - Start on with wagonette
driven by Gunning and carrying three members of the party. I drive the
buggy with me and Mr Curlewis. Find two horses not equal to pulling the
big wagonette though sand so I take Mr.Dodwell along with us and Mr
Hambridge [sic - Should be "Hambidge"] rides...camp 9.20 p.m [Article continues... "The Famous Carlton Reach"]
["Emu Springs" - Ebb and Flows with the Moon][Emu now known as Emu Creek (a few kilometres from Kununurra on Highway 1 heading east]
[Cockatoo Springs]
1921 - "En route from Argyle to Ivanhoe showing baobab trees, conveyances, pack horses and spare horses" - KHS-2011-15-16-P2-D
CM Hambidge Family Collection
[This looks as if it could be Cockatoo Springs looking at other photographs of Cockatoo Springs. - KHS] [From MP Durack's Diary] - June 17th [1921 - Thompson Springs to Argyle]
Away early morning dinner under big boab at Thompson's Spring.
Photographs taken. Messrs Curlewis, Dodwell and self arrive Argyle 5
p.m. Other members get in after dark. Mrs.Rademy laid up with fever and
Rademy over from Lissadell. Luke Hall here preparing leave Derby. Jack
Butler from Rosewood. Feel well pleased to have the party thus far
safely. We discuss the situation and both Mr.Curlewis and Mr.Hambridge
[sic - Should be "Hambidge"] decide better make our Observation post
somewhere about Chambers peg on Bob Tail Creek.
[Look into "Chamber's Peg" - Was this the original border marker before 1921? AB for KHS 17 VII 2011] [Article continues] The Golden Gate.
1921 - "G.F. Dodwell and H.B. Curlewis at Golden Gate between Ivanhoe and Argyle" - KHS-2011-15-17-P2-D
CM Hambidge Family Collection [Argyle Downs]
[From MP Durack's Diary] - June 18th [1921]
Messrs Hambridge [sic - Should be "Hambidge"], Rademy and self off
soon after breakfast to locate trig on top of Mt.Misere (HJ 19). Ride
part of way and then walk....locate trig and put up another mark-sheet
of iron-back 1pm. Decide wait till tomorrow as food supply to be got
ready. Ambrose D (Durack) getting team ready .....Sent Bulla back with
note to Tom Adolph saying party now decided fix camp somewhere east side
Rosewood road, that the buggies will be along in the morning crossing
Hicks Creek and for him to follow on. The boys put on a corroboree
tonight for entertainment of the party.
[From MP Durack's Diary] - June 19th [1921]
I take lead. Meet Tom Adolph at Newry Crossing of Stockade. Luke Hall
drives wagonette. Ambrose follows with Mr.Dodwell in his buggy. We find
Chambers' peg. I then go on about half a mile and select camp Bob Tail
Creek on a nice rise where we decide to erect the Wireless. Jock Wesley
following with rations in mule team had a bolt-broke shafts and Went
back, loaded dray and arrived midnight. Anxiety of safely landing the
party now much relieved.
[Article continues] The Camp. [June 20th 1921 - "Observation Camp" - Wireless Mast Erected][This was coined "Observation Camp" by the party at the site at which two concrete cubic observation pillars would be erected, the eastern most pillar, which was used to mark how far east of Greenwich their position was by 8 hours minutes and seconds, would later be named the "Austral Pillar" - The naming of which is something we still have not found anything about, who or when this was named, so if you know contact KHS.] A suitable spot for the camp , was reached on June 20, and the
erection of the aerial masts, the building of the cement observing
pillars and the setting up of the tents and bush shelter were set in
hand at once.
1921 - "Raising the wireless mast" - KHS-2011-15-04-P2-D
CM Hambidge Family Collection [From MP Durack's Diary] - June 20th [1921]
By 11am. The wireless is erected and all ready to receive message.
Mr.Dodwell tried to get Annapolis but did not succeed. By midday a good
shed erected, also three tents. Messrs Curlewis, Hambridge [sic - Should
be "Hambidge"], Dodwell and Maddern erecting the concrete pillars-Soon
After 7 pm Dodwell and Maddern at work on wireless. Heard several
messages passing Carnarvon, Applecross, Dutch Stations and on long wave
could hear messages passing between Europe and America-truly wonderful
and a record all very pleased.
[Article continues below]
1921 - "Mixing concrete at the border camp. L to R C.M.
Hambidge, C. A, Maddern, M.P. Durack & H.B. Curlewis" -
KHS-2011-15-07-P2-D
CM Hambidge Family Collection June 20th to July 7th - Longitude determinations
CM Hambidge Family Collection
[Notice the guy-wires of the temporary wireless mast and the instrument
on top of the newly erected concrete pillar to right of picture - KHS]
[From MP Durack's Diary] - June 21st [1921] - The new technology of the day - Wireless Radio Time Signals
Curlewis and Dodwell up 4.30am to get time signals from Lyons ,
France....Hope to get Bordeaux before long. It is truly wonderful to
receive messages in the north so soon after arrival of the plant.
Returned Argyle leaving scientific party at work.
[Article continues]
Expedition Members and the Austral Pillar Site Panorama
1921 "Camp in the NW, 110 miles SE of Wyndham." People Named - KHS-2011-15-03-P2-D
CM Hambidge Family Collection - L-R Dodwell with portable transit, Curlewis and 12 inch Theodolite, Maddern and wireless tent. [In this image the temporary wireless mast is clearly visible - KHS]
1921 "Camp in the NW, 110 miles SE of Wyndham." People Named - KHS-2011-15-03-P2-D
CM Hambidge Family Collection - L-R Hambidge and 8 inch theodolite, Ulysees and Buller (behind), Tom Adolph. [From MP Durack's Diary] June 23rd [1921]
With boy, Ulysses, back to observation camp noon today. Listened to
message from Annapolis, U.S.A. Party has now been in touch with
Adelaide, Perth, Lyons, USA. Took photo... listening time signals from
USA, ...Message from Wyndham 5pm
Australia beat Surrey ..cricket 1921 "M.P. Durack and A.A. Maddern in the wireless tent" - KHS-2011-15-05-P2-D
CM Hambidge Family Collection
[MP Durack's Diary continues] - June 24th [1921]
Mr. Hambridge [sic - Should be "Hambidge"] and self start off locate
trig HJ18. Find it on top remarkable peak Commanding magnificent view of
whole country. I suggest calling this peak Mt.Hambridge [sic - Should
be "Hambidge"], as the first day he saw it he was inclined to think the
trig was on this hill, judging from the bearing on the map. Dodwell
heard Bordeaux this a.m. also Lyons and Annapolis.
[MP Durack's Diary continues] - June 25th [1921]
Took photos of camp. Messages giving time signals came through clearly from Annapolis. [MPD Went] Back to Argyle.
1921 'Observation Camp' - WA-NT Border Determinations - "Survey camp near Argyle Stn" - KHS-2011-15-02-P2-D
CM Hambidge Family Collection [MP Durack's Diary continues] - June 26-27 - No entries. - June 30th [1921]
Back to observation with Luke Hall who is anxious to see the wireless outfit...All going Well
[MP Durack's Diary continues] - July 1st to 6th - No Entries - July 7th [1921]
Started for observation camp in buggy with young Arthur Cowan in another
buggy. Party started to break up this a.m. and by evening had
everything pretty well taken down and Adolph's team loaded.
[MP Durack's Diary continues] - July 9th [1921]
Took ride to boundary peg ..got boys to put some stones around. After
lunch we assemble round the concrete pillar and I declare the stone well
and truly laid, saying a few words in connection with the work and we
all had a drink. Mr Curlewis replied with appropriate words after which
we poured a little whisky over the pillar and took photo showing
Curlewis and Dodwell shaking hands, signifying that they came to entire
agreement on Boundary. Hambridge [sic - Should be "Hambidge"] and
Maddern on either side with myself between Curlewis and Dodwell. Start
2pm. In three buggies back to Argyle around 5 pm. CM Hambidge Family Collection
[Article continues circa July 9th 1921]
Fixing the Boundary.
[From MP Durack's Diary] - July 10th [1921]
Getting ready start Wyndham with scientific party. Took photographs. The
boys put on another corroboree at special request of the party - all
very interested.
1921 "Argyle Station, Kimberley district, about 100 miles from Wyndham" - KHS-2011-15-13-P2-D
CM Hambidge Family Collection [Photograph and original caption by former SA Surveyor General, CM Hambidge or was original taken by MP Durack? - KHS] [Jack Kilfoyle of Rosewood Station can be seen leaning against a post. Identified by KHS in hi-res images.] [MP Durack's Diary continues] - July 11th [1921]
Started Ivanhoe this a.m. Mr Hambridge [sic - Should be "Hambidge"]
driving the big buggy, with Dodwell and Maddern, Curlewis with me.
Camped Cockatoo Spring.
CM Hambidge Family Collection
[MP Durack's Diary continues] - July 12th [1921] - Ivanhoe and Grotto
Ivanhoe... The car expected from Wyndham did not arrive.
July 13th Got my car going and decided make in with small buggy instead of waiting for car. Party enjoyed climbing round in the hills. Visited the Grotto which was much admired. 1921 - "C.M. Hambidge in the Grotto near Ivanhoe, W.A." - KHS-2011-15-19-P2-D CM Hambidge Family Collection
[MP Durack's Diary concludes] - July 15th [1921] - Embark on BAMBRA with members Scientific Party.July 26th - Disembark.......Fremantle[The End - References below]
CM Hambidge Family Collection as a Slideshow References:Durack, Michael Patrick, Diary, Courtesy of Patsy Millett (the Durack Family) and Kevin Markey.
Thursday 18 August 1921
Cite
Further ReferencesSome more background information from KHS Anniversaries History page - 1921 WA/NT Border DeterminationsFurther Hambidge Resources from the State Library of South Australia (SLSA)
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