Cloncurry has celebrated the 90th anniversary of an important technological advance that had real consequences in this part of the world and helped save many lives.
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In June 1929 the first wireless transmission was made by Gertrude Rothery from Augustus Downs in the Gulf, to the Cloncurry Flying Doctor base.
Ms Rothery was using a pedal radio, invented by Alfred Traeger, the "Inventive genius that gave a voice to outback Australia".
Flying doctor service founder Rev John Flynn approached Traeger to invent a cheap and efficient method of communication between the outback stations and a central medical base.
After experimenting, Traeger overcame the problems of battery sizes and costs by using pedal power.
With such refinement to fix the speed and consistency he had the first pedal radio at a cost of £33.
Traeger continued to perfect his invention for more than 40 years. His pedal radios were sold around the world and gave birth to crucial outback services such as the School Of the Air in Alice Springs in 1951 and Cloncurry in 1960.
The Cloncurry Friends of John Flynn Place work tirelessly to preserve the history of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Secretary and long serving member Chris McDonald was excited among 50 Friends of John Flynn Place catching up at the Museum with a wine and cheese function to celebrate the 90th anniversary.
"It was a happy celebration with two of Alfred Traeger's stepdaughters with us from South Australia," Ms McDonald said.
"We also had Gertrude Rothery's grandson and his wife, travelling from Rockhampton for the event. They cut the celebration birthday cake together.
Mayor Greg Campbell said Cloncurry's rich history of inventions, significant events and influential people was second to none.
"We see a strong case for tourism becoming a major industry in our Shire," Cr Campbell said.
"I encourage the Federal Government to support our proposed redevelopment of John Flynn Place which will attract both domestic and international travellers."
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
