them to Moolooloo. They then went on in the mail coach. Stuart sent a telegram from Burra: Kooringa Station 16th December 1862 John McDouall Stuart, Commander of the South Australian Great Northern Exploration Expedition, To Hon. Commissioner of Crown Lands, Through you I beg to inform His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief and the Government that I have accomplished the object of expedition party behind all well I will be in by the evening train tomorrow. Concern for Stuart’s party had gripped the city. The remains of Burke and Wills had been brought to Adelaide, prior to a public burial in Melbourne. John McKinlay had continued on after his search for them, crossing Australia to the Gulf of Carpentaria and had returned by ship. The enthusiasm that greeted Stuart would not have been greater, had they just returned from the moon. The station at North Adelaide was packed with people and he was cheered and applauded. After a welcoming speech, Stuart, still unwell, went off by carriage and pair to the Chambers’ house at North Adelaide. The triumphant homecoming was tinged with sadness for Stuart because James Chambers had died in August. He closed his journal by thanking those concerned and saying “The original promoters of my various expeditions, Messrs. James Chambers and Wm. Finke, have always shown the most lively interest in my success, to which they cheerfully contributed. How much I regret the unexpected decease of the first named gentleman I need here hardly state, for he was indeed heart and soul in the result, and no one would have felt so proud of my success as my much lamented and best friend James Chambers.” The procession through the streets of Adelaide on 21st January 1863, drew crowds that had never before been seen in Adelaide. People came from far and wide, the streets were hung with tartan and bunting and posters had appeared in public places: The procession (with the party all in their patched bush clothes and leading pack horses), terminated in front of the Treasury Building where Governor Dominick Daly and Lady Daly waited with other dignitaries. Stuart presented his report and a copy of his journals. Many congratulatory speeches followed. Festivities continued in the evening with a magnificent banquet, lasting far into the night. 16 Australia’s Explorers’ Way JOHN MCDOUALL STUART was born in Dysart, Scotland in 1815. He arrived in South Australia in 1839, when Adelaide was little more than tents and huts. A civil engineer by profession, he worked as a surveyor in the new Colony, remaining a bachelor all his life. His first exploring experience was with Captain Sturt. Stuart’s explorations led to the annexing of the Northern Territory to South Australia by Britain, the route for the Overland Telegraph line and opened up vast tracts of land for pasture. His courage and persistence, discipline, careful judgement with superb bushmanship and his skill in navigating took him and his companions many thousands of miles into unknown territory and back again with no lives lost. He was very humane, both in regard to his companions and to the Aboriginal people he encountered. After the last journey, Stuart never recovered. The years of inadequate food, bad water and enduring hardship had aged him and ruined his health. His eyesight was failing from solar observations and his right hand disabled. He had worn himself out in his country’s service. For being the first to cross the continent from sea to sea, he was awarded the £2000 prize, which he invested, but it was an inadequate retirement income. His requests to the South Australian Government for remuneration fell on deaf ears. He was expected to work as a surveyor as he had before the expeditions. Eventually a further £1000 was paid to him; still not enough to live on. The fanfare was over. A lonely, solitary figure, he sailed for London to publish his journals. In Glasgow, he was to speak at a reunion, but “his eyesight and memory were so far gone that he was unable to compose a speech or even to recollect many of the incidents”. Stuart lived at the home of his sister in London, until his death in June 1866. He was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, the final resting place of those who aspire to greatness.
