(President Institute of Surveyors), Des Diggles (President Australian Institute of Cartography) Photo courtesy The Austalian Surveyor “The Middle of Nowhere” O DATE TOURIST INFORMATION DISTRIBUTORS AUSTRALIA PO Box 38, Balhannah, South Australia 5242 Phone 08 8388 4844 Mobile 0418 446 444 Fax 08 8180 1710 Email: [email protected] remote town of Finke in the Northern Territory. What attracted these people to this place? From the original concept of Mr Les Isdale, a member of the Royal Geographic Society of Queensland, the Department of Geographic Information was requested to calculate the “Centre of Gravity” of Australia. Before calculations commenced a definition was required. This was provided by Macquarie Dictionary which defines a Centre of Gravity as “that point of a body from which it could be suspended, or on which it could be supported and be in equilibrium in any position, in a uniform gravitational field”. Further, it was necessary to assume a curved surface with no distortions, as the distribution of weight, thickness of crust, distortions of gravity etc, are not available. The mind boggling calculations were processed by a high speed computer in about 30 minutes from 24,417 points about 800metres apart around the coastline of the continent. This does not mean that 24,417 pegs were placed in the ground. The points were obtained from existing maps. The result of the exercise was:- On a hot spring day - September 15, 1988 (Australia’s bicentennial year), a gathering of some 260 people took place on remote Lilla Creek Station about 30 kms from the equally remote town of Finke in the Northern Territory. What attracted these people to this place? From the original concept of Mr Les Isdale, a member of the Royal Geographic Society of Queensland, the Department of Geographic Information was requested to calculate the “Centre of Gravity” of Australia. Before calculations commenced a definition was required. This was provided by Macquarie Dictionary which defines a Centre of Gravity as “that point of a body from which it could be suspended, or on which it could be supported and be in equilibrium in any position, in a uniform gravitational field”. Further, it was necessary to assume a curved surface with no distortions, as the distribution of weight, thickness of crust, distortions of gravity etc, are not available. The mind boggling calculations were processed by a high speed computer in about 30 minutes from 24,417 points about 800metres apart around the KULGERA NT 0872 n a hot spring day - September 15, 1988 (Australia’s bicentennial year), a gathering of some 260 people took place on remote Lilla Creek Station about 30 kms from the equally PROOF SHEET CODE 493 URGENT APPROVAL REQUIRED Unveiling of new plaque 1994. L-R Ian Lambert, John Medbury (President Institute of Surveyors), Des Diggles (President Australian Institute of Cartography) Photo courtesy The Austalian Surveyor Kulgera Roadhouse Hotel/Motel Caravan Park PMB 191 HERE IS A REPRESENTATION OF YOUR ADVERT TO APPEAR IN THE AUSTRALIA’S EXPLORERS’ WAY BOOK Latitude 25˚ 36’ 36.4”S Longitude 134˚ 21’ 17.3”E. This is what this group of travellers were celebrating. A replica of the flag pole on the National Parliament Building was installed to mark the Centre. It was named in honour of Bruce Lambert who for many years was prominent in surveying and mapping in Australia. Doctor Lambert was present at the ceremony as was Len Beadell (of Gun Barrel Highway fame). Sadly both gentlemen are no longer with us. On 22 March, 1994 a new plaque was unveiled at the centre by the Most Central Pub in Australia O President of the Institute of Surveying in the presence of distinguished guests and Mr Ian Lambert, son of Dr B Lambert. So today Australia has another Centre, in addition to Central Mount Stuart, Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, the Johnston Geodetic Centre etc. It is well worth a visit and you will not need a compass or GPS to find it. On 22 March, 1994 a new plaque was unveiled at the centre by the President of the Institute of Surveying in the presence of distinguished guests and Mr Ian Lambert, son of Dr B Lambert. So today Australia has another Centre, in addition to Central Mount Stuart, Erlunda, Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, the Johnston Geodetic Centre etc. It is well worth a visit and you will not need a compass or GPS to find it. “The Middle of Nowhere” SIGNED n a hot spring day - September 15, 1988 (Australia’s bicentennial year), a gathering of some 260 people took place on remote Lilla Creek Station about 30 kms from the equally remote town of Finke in the Northern Territory. What attracted these people to this place? From the original concept of Mr Les Isdale, a member of the Royal Geographic Society of Queensland, the Department of Geographic Information was requested to calculate the “Centre of Gravity” of Australia. Before calculations commenced a definition was required. This was Kulgera Roadhouse Hotel/Motel Caravan Park & Campground Stuart Highway, Kulgera • Phone (08) 8956 0973 • www.kulgera.com.au BOOK ONLINE PLEASE TICK APPROPRIATE BOX (ABOVE) AND RETURN provided by Macquarie Dictionary which defines a Centre of Gravity as “that point of a body from which it could be suspended, or on which it could be supported and be in equilibrium in any position, in a uniform gravitational field”. Further, it was necessary to assume a curved surface with no distortions, as the distribution of weight, thickness of crust, distortions of gravity etc, are not available. The mind boggling calculations were processed by a high speed computer in about 30 minutes from 24,417 points about 800metres apart around the coastline of the continent. This does not mean that 24,417 pegs were placed in the ground. The points were obtained from existing maps. The result of the exercise was:- Call in on your way up North and last thing when leaving for typical bush pub hospitality! • Licensed Tavern • Hamburgers • Great Meals – Eat in or Take Away • Air Cond Ensuite Units with Kitchenette • Air Cond Budget Accommodation • Fuel and Autogas • Towing and Tyre Repairs • Basic Mechanical Repairs OPEN 7 DAYS • Air Cond Backpacker Accommodation • Caravan Park and Grassed Camp Sites Modern Facilities with Swimming Pool and Laundry • Aboriginal Art Latitude 25˚ 36’ 36.4”S Longitude 134˚ 21’ 17.3”E. This is what this group of travellers were celebrating. A replica of the flag pole on the National Parliament Building was installed to mark the Centre. It was named in honour of Bruce Lambert who for many years was prominent in surveying and mapping in Australia. Doctor Lambert was present at the ceremony as was Len Beadell (of Gun Barrel Highway fame). Sadly both gentlemen are no longer with us. On 22 March, 1994 a new plaque was unveiled at the centre by the President of the Institute of Surveying in the presence of distinguished guests and Mr Ian Lambert, son of Dr B Lambert. So today Australia has another Centre, in addition to Central Mount Stuart, Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, the Johnston Geodetic Centre etc. It is well worth a visit and you will not need a compass or GPS to find it. Send to a friend… australiasexplorersway.com.au If not returned within 7 days we will assume proof is OK to proceed. 109 Proof O.K. Unveiling of new plaque 1994. L-R Ian Lambert, John Medbury (President Institute of Surveyors), Des Diggles (President Australian Institute of Cartography) Photo courtesy The Austalian Surveyor coastline of the continent. This does not mean that 24,417 pegs were placed in the ground. The points were obtained from existing maps. The result of the exercise was:- Latitude 25° 36’ 36.4”S Longitude 134° 21’ 17.3”E. This is what this group of travellers were celebrating. A replica of the flag pole on the National Parliament Building was installed to mark theCentre. It was named in honour of Bruce Lambert who for many years was prominent in surveying and mapping in Australia. Doctor Lambert was present at the ceremony as was Len Beadell (of Gun Barrel Highway fame). Sadly both gentlemen are no longer with us. Please check: • Names & Addresses • Telephone Numbers • Spelling. Please be so kind as to send by return mail for any alterations to your proof. We will assume proof is OK if not received by us within 7 days. It is important that this be done so as to avoid the chance of your space appearing incorrectly. PLEASE TICK BOX Changes Required (please inform)
