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The Second Transition of the Canning Stock Route - the

The Second Transition of the Canning Stock Route. “ Cattle at Durba Springs” Jawurji Mervyn Street. The Second Transition of the Canning Stock Route - the story of the celebration of its 100th anniversary. The story of the Celebration of its centenary. Ken Leighton

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The Second Transition of the Canning Stock Route - the

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  1. The Second Transition of the Canning Stock Route “Cattle at Durba Springs” Jawurji Mervyn Street The Second Transition of the Canning Stock Route - the story of the celebration of its 100th anniversary The story of the Celebration of its centenary Ken Leighton Chief Geodetic Surveyor, Landgate.

  2. If it wasn’t for this little critter .. we wouldn’t be here today ……. Rhipicephalus microplus (formerly Boophilis microplus) or cattle tick He was the original boat refugee coming uninvited from Java in 1872 and stayed, infecting cattle across the north of Australia. As a parasite he latches onto cattle, toxins attack the red blood cells and the urine turns red – hence Red Water Fever.

  3. The Need In the early 1900’s the Kimberley pastoralists wanted a way to get their quarantined cattle to the hungry miners in the southern Goldfields – half the length of WA away.

  4. The Man Alfred Wernam CanningBorn in Victoria, 1860Died in Western Australia, 1936 Qualified as a Surveyor in 1882, arrived in WA 1893, worked for the WA Government until 1923 mostly in the most remote areas of the State Surveyor Canning is recognised as one of the Surveyor icons in Western Australia. He was a leader, an achiever and a gentleman and did much to open up WA for future development. www.landgate.wa.gov.au

  5. The Task Kimberley 1905 -1910Find a viable stock route from the Kimberley to the Goldfields 1500 km of compass and pacing Canning Stock Route Goldfields

  6. With just 8 men, 23 camels and 2 horses he took only 8 months to find a route through 4 deserts, locating enough native water holes to make the journey viable. A remarkable journey that crossed 1500 km of inhospitable land and 950 sand dunes. www.landgate.wa.gov.au

  7. Canning succeeded because: • he used an experienced and motivated team • he employed skilled experts in their field • he had many years experience in working in remote locations • he did not take uncalculated risks • he was a highly skilled surveyor • and most importantly, he used local Aboriginal people as guides

  8. The exploration was a triumph and was celebrated across the State. He was requested to lead the construction teamin 1908 – 1910 to build the 52 wells along the route. This team was 30 men, 70 camels, 2 wagons, 2 drilling rigs, 100 tons of gear and enough food for 2 years. www.landgate.wa.gov.au

  9. Enough gear to equip 52 wells needed to be carried – there would be no re-supply. www.canningstockroutecentenary.com www.landgate.wa.gov.au

  10. Canning reasoned that by placing his wells next to or on Aboriginal water holes this would minimise vandalism and provide a ready water supply for the local inhabitants. Some of Canning’s original wells have been renovated to provide water for tourists. Some have been left to quietly decompose. www.landgate.wa.gov.au

  11. The Canning Stock Route has now been completely transformed FROM: One of the longest, most isolated and challenging stock routes in the world ……… Only 30 mobs in 50 years > 600 vehicles per season TO: One of the longest, most isolated and challenging 4x4 tracks in the world. www.landgate.wa.gov.au

  12. So what’s the attraction? Why do more than 1200 each year make the pilgrimage? Because it’s there……… It’s a personal Everest – with some risk involved It’s sociable, it’s sharing the adversity It’s an journey of discovery as a modern explorer It’s a wilderness 4x4 adventure with few rules It’s on the bucket list – for no real reason

  13. Is there a problem with that? Well, No And Yes ! Let’s be frank………>1200 people a year (in a 6 month season) is a lot of poo It’s a lot of rubbish They need a lot of water Firewood is depleting, fast They want to go places they shouldn’t The stock route is busting at the seams – more cars than cattle have been driven over it

  14. So why did Landgate get involved? Community Excellence Growth&Learning Celebration Sustainability Historically Alfred Canning was one of our surveyors, hence the initial interest (Landgate & RDL) were DOLA with management responsibility for all UCL, Then we split, exclusive possession NT was in place, & RDL gave up management aspirations There was no management plan & Landgate thought they could be instrumental in facilitating one We had a lot to offer – expertise in survey,mapping, logistics and enthusiasm

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