Surveyors General’s Corner marker

Western Australia – South Australia – Northern Territory Border

A glance at most maps of Australia will tell you something that isn’t quite true. The border that runs along the eastern edge of Western Australia is not actually one continuous straight line.

The survey of the W.A. border was first discussed in 1911, but it wasn’t until 1922 that an agreement was signed between then Prime Minister W.M. Hughes, and Acting Premier for South Australia, Mr. Bice, and the Premier of Western Australia, Sir James Mitchell. The agreement set out the border as being a line determined by the 129th meridian east longitude. However, the agreement required that the boundary be defined by lines running north and south from independently fixed points at Deakin and Argyle. When survey work began on the South Australia – Northern Territory border in 1963, it was quickly realised that the earlier agreement precluded the possibility of these lines meeting exactly.

Precise survey methods confirmed this, and in June 1968, two monuments – approximately 127 metres apart – were erected at the junction of the boundaries. This ceremony was attended by the respective Surveyor Generals, H.Comm from Western Australia, H.A. Bailey from South Australia, and P.J. Wells from the Northern Territory. The monuments common to all three territories was named Surveyor General’s Corner at the suggestion of the Director of National Mapping. One interesting piece of trivia is that fewer people have visited this site than have been to the South Pole.

Let me see you Work It!

During the tour around the Olympic Dam facilities students were given the opportunity to let off some steam in the newly refurbished Gym. Judging by the legs in this picture…there are some pretty hefty weights on THAT machine!

What’s Cooking?

As part of the BHP Billiton tour around the Olympic Dam site, students are shown through the massive industrial kitchen facility wearing some ever so stylish (but very necessary) hair nets.

A Captive Audience

A group of students sit attentively through various presentations at BHP Billiton.

Right up your Alley

Unwinding after a long day of Mining Education the students unwind with a bit of Tenpin Bowling in Woomera. After all, what is more relaxing than heavy, bright coloured bowling balls and clown shoes??

Subway Stop

Learning is hungry work! After working up an information appetite these students have stopped off for a Subway break at Olympic Dam.

Letting it all sink in

Industry members taking in all the info on our BHP Industry Trip to Olympic Dam in 2007