Many thanks go to Stuart Macdonald for a most entertaining and
informative talk on the Dutton/Aunger expedition from Adelaide to Darwin – the first
successful trip in their Talbot car.
Obviously a lot of research went into Stuart’s presentation and
the accompanying photographic tribute was outstanding. There were many wonderful
photographs of the Talbot vehicle and its drivers and the rugged terrain and roads (if
they could be described as such) that they had to conquer on their way to Darwin. Of
particular interest also were all the old photographs of the Telegraphic Relay Stations
and the outback stations and communities along the way. It gave us all a very small
insight into the trials and tribulations that the pioneers who worked in the outback and
very remote regions had to face on a daily basis.
Also along the way our motorists came across Francis Birtles riding
around in the bush on his bicycle and to have a photograph of this occasion was wonderful.
The mind just boggles on the sheer endurance and perseverance of people in this era that
set out to accomplish feats that can only be described as “amazing”. Couple this with
the untamed terrain that our travellers dealt with along the way and we can only imagine
how difficult and challenging things were for them. These men were certainly made of stern
stuff.
Many thanks once again to Stuart for what can only be described as a
riveting talk and for providing a wonderful contribution to our Annual Dinner.
