1. Life on the
Overland Telegraph Line

2. More Memories of Life on
the Overland Telegraph Line

3. The Railway Dream

4.Overview of A Picnic
with the Natives

5. A summary of the
Barrow Creek conflict
as told in An End to Silence
by Peter Taylor

6. Kaytetye Country:
An Aboriginal history of the
Barrow Creek Area

7. The Tragedy at
Strangways Springs

8. Northern Territory
Survey Expedition

9. Adelaide to Darwin
by foot


Review of Frederick Goss' "Never Never Telegraphist"

This description of service as a Telegraph Operator on the Northern Section of the Overland Telegraph, and covering the years 1878 to 1903, was published in serial form (10 parts) by TELECOM in 1978.

It is by far, the most accurate and detailed description of work and living conditions in the "Top end" of the Northern Territory that I have read. As such it is a most interesting and historically valuable document.

C Leonard AUGUST 1980


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Northern Territory Survey Expedition
by Jack Ryan


Overland Telegraph workers at Southport 1872

My Great grandfather John Ryan and his brothers Edward (Ned) and Jeremiah (Jerry) were members of the Northern Territory Survey Expedition 1868-69. John Ryan returned to Adelaide immediately when the survey under Goyder was finished, but Ned and Jerry remained as part of the volunteer force preparing for the arrival of first settlers later that year.

They were both involved in early survey work around Darwin and Southport. Ned and Jerry both later worked on Overland Telegraph Line maintenance in Palmerston and Southport. Jerry died there in 1874 and Ned eventually returned to Adelaide in 1878. One of the last "men" of the original Expedition. He is buried at Coward Springs.

Jack Ryan
jackryan@optusnet.com.au

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