Hello everyone,
I am sorry it has been so long but finally, here are some updates on our Plaque Restoration Project. This blog will concentrate on 2017 to 2022, then the next will encompass the last 2 years. As usual, I made the plaques at home using Len's original letter and number punches, Mick's help invaluable in cutting out the aluminium and of course, actually putting them onto the drums, posts & blazes. Many thanks also go to our very patient and wonderfully supportive tour participants! At this point, I would also like to heartily thank those who have kept us informed of plaques issues and thefts, it is extremely helpful. Keep them coming, especially now that Mick & I are doing fewer tours per year.
Mick & I replaced two of Len's drum plaques in 2017, well before the craziness of Covid-19 and lockdowns. The first was on the SA/WA border on the Anne Beadell Highway, for preservation of the original. The second was at Everard Junction on the southern end of the Gary Highway (Len originally shot the holes with his revolver, as you do........). My replica from 2005 had been stolen in that case, very annoying indeed. We finished up the year on the eastern end of the Gunbarrel through the APY Lands in South Australia and took the opportunity to replace a very scratched 2000 replica plaque at the junction of the Gunbarrel Highway and Kintore Avenue. We also gave the post a good paint, despite the weather closing in on us (see below). Incidentally, we have been unable to get a permit for the APY Lands since, so I am very sorry we can't continue our maintenance of those three plaques, but that is another story.
We managed a bit more basic maintenance, including repainting the yellow Emu pointer at Tallaringa Well on the Anne Beadell Highway and opening up the blaze on the Ghost Gum near Giles in 2019. See Part 2, post Covid-19................
Connie Sue Beadell
8 September, 2024
Commentaires