Back in 1976 I attended a channel 7 live broadcast “In Eucla Tonight” hosted by Stuart Wagstaff—a locally produced, outback one-off special event to celebrate the final sealing of the WA section of the Eyre Highway.
The South Australian section of the highway had been finished five years previously, so the SA ministerial toff welcomed Ray O’Connor, the WA road supremo, with a hand shake across the border and inquired “what kept you?”
Thirty four Albany dudes in 1826 period costumes were not about to miss a television event and the opportunity of fulfilling the director’s wont for a local audience in the bar of the Border Village.
The Albany folk knew how to take over live television specials. The Mayor of Albany introduced himself “I’m Harold Smith” with his wife “I’m Doris Smith” and next in line tourist boss Len Smith did his intro,with my secretary Lorraine Smith following. So I continued exclaiming I was Brian Smith! With that the interview lady’s jaw dropped, so I politely expounded upon the fact of in-breeding in the great southern township.
Albany’s 150th anniversary celebrations was off to a flying start, live to air no less?,
Yesterday we stopped off at Eucla to reminisce after traveling 620km from Poochera. Few if anything has changed. The Border Village bar’s skeletal remains look similar after nearly 40 years, the pot holes are more numerous than ever at Eucla caravan park and Stuart Wagstaff actually died earlier this year.
And today with the bit firmly between my teeth we did 709km to reach Norseman in time for Sunday night tea. Sixth or 7th Nullabor crossing accomplished.
We plan spending a couple of nights in Kalgoorlie before reaching home before the weekend.
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