2004 Expedition
Kimberley
OVERVIEW
Re-enactment of the 1954 Kimberley Survey by John Morgan.
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Further information can be read in the Australian Geographic article "The last horseback explorer"
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"John Morgan led the last official horse-mounted survey expedition into uncharted areas of the Kimberley"
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TEAM and further information
Knowledge of heritage is as important to any group of people as a clear direction for the future. Ian Moss decided to promote this idea by initiating a re-enactment of John Morgan’s 1954 Central North Kimberley expedition. Morgan’s expedition can be said to have been the last of the large scale exploration style efforts made in Australia. It was widely reported in the media at the time and some of the original participants were available to provide the younger generation of surveyors with a direct link to their heritage.
The purpose was to provide the students with the opportunity to understand what their forebears did and to apply current technology in retracing and upgrading the positions of old marks in the area. Achievements included a morning with John Morgan where he was able to impart some words of wisdom to the students.
This initial expedition catalysed a biennial event to the benefit of each new generation of surveyors.
In the field the following were achieved:
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GPS traverse from Theda Station to the 1954 traverse end mark at Pago Pago.
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Spatial upgrade of existing bench marks
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Placement of seven new SSM’s
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Three Auspos observations
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Spatial upgrade of the position of the 1954 traverse from 157 Mile post and selected points to Pago Pago
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Training of Argyle Diamonds apprentices in use of DGPS
Mentor Surveyors
Ian Moss, Wayne Garwood, Tony Snow
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Students
Sarah Andrews, Luke Charlesworth, Cameron Jamieson, Kirk McDonald, Glen Morton
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Aboriginal Apprentices from Argyle Diamonds
Ivan Churlung, Bruce Dowell, Joshua Hill, Pablo Lane, Blair Quinn
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Horses and camping support provided by “Digger’s Rest” of Wyndham.
The support of all sponsors is gratefully acknowledged the re-enactment could not have gone ahead without it.
Ian Moss L.S. F.I.S.