Thread: Help locate a Len Beadell plaque, Gunbarrel Road

I have some of Len Beaddell's books here and I will have a look through them, as there may be a picture of the plaque along with an explanation of it's location.


Cheers, Mick.

Originally Posted by goingbush

I have a photo of a Len Beadell plaque that my (late) Father in Law took on one of his numerous outback trips mid 1970's . Im trying to locate where that plaque was so that I can go back & retrace same on my next trip.
WARBURTON MISSION 193 M. ->
GILES WEATHER STATION 328 M ->
LAVERTON 583 MILES ->
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<- CARNEGIE H.S. 130 MILES.
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OK Ive cross referenced those distances on a modern map (converted to KLM) and it just dosent make sense. I can not pinpoint the position, (assuming its the gunbarrel hwy)

Does anyone know are the distances as the crow flies or by road ?

I think it is Everard Junction, the intersection of the Gunbarrel & Gary Highways, but not sure because above directions if placed facing the Gary Hwy (the ending road) the directions are reversed (left to warburton & giles, right to carnegie hs) "Len Beadell plaque" is marked on NATMAP 1:250000, BENTLEY SG52-05 at this point. Can't find a paper map of Aus, so stand to be corrected, because the direction to Laverton seems wrong?

I'll have a look at some maps & books, but don't assume the sign is on the Gunbarrell hwy.
The 'Gunbarrel' Road Construction Party' moniker was used on several of their tracks, not just the Gunbarrell Highway.
Apparently there was a group who went out a few years ago and collected all these signs for a museum display (at Woomera?) and replaced them with replicas, which I think is a crying shame.

People stole the original signs thats why they are repo's. Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

People stole the original signs thats why they are repo's. Pat

I believe even the replacements are being stolen.

I doubt that ANY originals are left and I understand why they were recovered and are probably only safe in a museum.

The fact that my Father in laws photo shows the plaque to have no nails , just holes where they had been, leads me to believe that it was also being 'liberated' , something that only a 'bastard' would do.

Originally Posted by POD

........................The 'Gunbarrel' Road Construction Party' moniker was used on several of their tracks, not just the Gunbarrell Highway...........................
Apparently there was a group who went out a few years ago and collected all these signs for a museum display (at Woomera?) and replaced them with replicas, which I think is a crying shame.

From memory the 'Gunbarrel Road Construction Party' was the company Len Beadell formed to build roads in the centre from the early 50's to the early 60's.

Heres a sample of the signs on the Gary Junction Road, not to be confused with the Gary Highway which it intersects at Gary Junction.



Replica sign June 2004




Sandy Blight Junction sign, Replica sign June 2000




NT WA Border, looks like the original.






Lens burnt out ration truck signs at Kiwirrkurra Community.

These signs mention the Toyota Landcruiser Club / Beadell family / Grader driver trip in June 2004.



This sign shows the original Gary Junction Road route and shows it was placed by the Beadell family in August 2004.




Near Jupiter Well. Replica sign August 2004.




Gary Junction sign, replica August 2004.

It would seem that between June and August 2004 members of the Toyota Landcruiser Club (Victoria), Doug Stoneham (one of the original GRCP dozer drivers) and members of the Beadell family visited/re-visited this area. They recovered the remains of Lens burnt out truck and towed it 30 odd K's to the Kiwirrkurra Community.
As most of the replica signs are from this time I think it would be reasonable to assume this group placed/replaced the originals.


Deano

Thanks Deano,
Very informative,

I just scanned the photo of the plaque in question.
as stated the direction and distance to Laverton does not make sense, it has me stumped



cheers Don

Originally Posted by DeanoH

From memory the 'Gunbarrel Road Construction Party' was the company Len Beadell formed to build roads in the centre from the early 50's to the early 60's.
Deano

He was actually employed by Aus Army then WRE (Weapons Research Establishment), & the moniker 'Gunbarrel Road Construction Party' he coined as a joke to describe his antics (work). Spent a pleasant arvo at Coongie Lakes as Len & Anne passed thru to Alice Springs in the 80's.

While I was typing Goingbush said "as stated the direction and distance to Laverton does not make sense, it has me stumped", Sometimes I think Len got a bit confused about where he was, but maybe AT THE TIME, the only way to Laverton was back thru ;edit +WARBURTON; -Giles????