National Museum of Australia - 1923 expedition

1923 expedition

Warning: This exhibition and website contain some images of nudity and people in distressing circumstances. Visitors should also be aware that the exhibition and website include names and images of deceased people that may cause sadness or distress to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Vice-regal expedition to central Australia

Sir Tom Bridges, Governor of South Australia (1922–27), was enthusiastic about building a north–south railway to open up central Australia. But first he wanted to see the region for himself.

He assembled a distinguished party, including Herbert Basedow, for a three-week inspection by car. Three Dort four-cylinder touring vehicles were modified for the expedition and fitted with the largest tyres possible. Fuel for the 2300-kilometre trip was sent on ahead by camel.

At Alice Springs, Aboriginal people lined both sides of the road to greet the party. Celebrations included a corroboree and the official party was entertained by the town's citizens at the jail, which doubled as a hall.

On their way back, they were advised that the terrain from Hermannsburg to Oodnadatta was unsuitable for motor vehicles. Nevertheless, they made it through triumphantly, in the first cars ever to travel the route.

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Map outlining the expedition in 1923 through South Australia and the Northern Territory. The stylised map shows the expedition routes as white lines against an earthy yellow background. Lake Eyre is represented as two blue shapes in the bottom right hand corner of the map. Locations such as Marree, Oodnadatta, Alice Springs and Hermannsburg are indicated on the map. The South Australian-Northern Territory border is shown as well as the intersection of the South Australian, Northern Territory and Queensland borders, at the extreme right of the map. A small white map of Australia is at the left hand side of the main map, with a rectangle in it indicating the expedition area.

Map outlining the 1923 expedition route through central Australia

Guard-of-honour for the Governor of South Australia, Alice Springs, Northern Territory 1923. Two rows of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children face each other about two metres apart. The children are standing outside a single-storey building with a verandah and corrugated iron roof. A child toward the camera end in each row holds a Union Jack flag on a pole. Toward the rear of each row, close to the building, what may be the Northern Territory and South Australian flags are on taller poles. Several adults are in the background waiting for the Governor. The front half of a car is seen in the left foreground.

Guard-of-honour for the Governor of South Australia, Sir Tom Bridges, Alice Springs, Northern Territory 1923

photograph by Herbert Basedow
reproduced from glass plate negative
National Museum of Australia

When Sir Tom Bridges arrived in Alice Springs township he received a guard-of-honour of school children who sang the national anthem. He was then welcomed by Sergeant of Police Robert Stott and his wife. The Governor stayed with the Stotts during his visit to the town.

The vice-regal party at breakfast, central Australia 1923. Seven non-Aboriginal men sit around a small table between two cars. On the table are plates, mugs and food. A tablecloth covers the table. Two of the men at left lean against the car on that side while two next to them sit on the car. One man appears to be sitting on a chair at the back of the table. The two men on the right sit on the car on that side. All wear suits; one wears a Trilby-style hat.

The vice-regal party at breakfast: (from left) Sir Henry Barwell, William Webb, Thomas McCallum, NG Bell, Sir Tom Bridges, Murray Aunger and Captain Hambleton, central Australia 1923

photograph by Herbert Basedow
reproduced from glass plate negative
National Museum of Australia

Three Dort four-cylinder cars were customised for the expedition and fitted with the largest tyres possible. Two carried luggage, equipment and fuel, while the third seated four expeditioners.

Aboriginal people collecting firewood for a 'corroboree', Alice Springs, Northern Territory 1923. About fourteen Aborginal women and children are walking loosely line abreast toward the camera. Many of the women carry large bundles of firewood on their heads. All in the group wear European clothing; the women have long skirts down to about half shin height. The group is in the middle ground. In the foreground is bare earth. In the background are stands of trees. In the distance is a large range, running the entire width of the image. A few dogs are with the group, walking close to the people or lagging behind.

Collecting firewood for 'corroboree' held for the Governor of South Australia Sir Tom Bridges, Alice Springs, Northern Territory 1923

photograph by Herbert Basedow
reproduced from glass plate negative
National Museum of Australia

Governor of South Australia Sir Tom Bridges planting a tree, Arltunga, Northern Territory 1923. The Governor is in the right foreground, bent over digging a hole with a short-handled shovel. He is dressed relatively informally i.e. trousers, jacket and hat, with no ceremonial garb. Behind him stands a non-Aboriginal man in a uniform. His lower body is obscured by the Governor. To the left of the image stand three other non-Aboriginal men, watching the Governor. One wears a hat, leather coat and trousers, one wears knee-length boots, trousers, waistcoat, jacket and hat and the last one wears trousers, jacket and a soft peaked cap. This man stands closest to the Governor. In the background is a rough wooden fence and part of a building made from timber and bricks.

Governor of South Australia Sir Tom Bridges planting a tree, with (from left) Murray Aunger, Sir Henry Barwell, William Webb and Constable MC Noblett in attendance, Arltunga, Northern Territory 1923

photograph by Herbert Basedow
reproduced from glass plate negative
National Museum of Australia

Battery building where gold-bearing rock was crushed, Arltunga, Northern Territory 1923. The building has a rectangular form and a rounded roof. It sits up on a raised section of land above an indistinct track in the foreground. A vehicle is parked in the far left foreround of the image; a man sits in the back on some baggage. The building has three openings of different sizes in the side facing the camera. A smaller building adjoins the battery at its right hand end. The battery's roofing material has weathered to a dark and light checkerboard-like pattern. A smokestack is visible toward the right end of the roof.

Battery building where gold-bearing rock was crushed, Arltunga, Northern Territory 1923

photograph by Herbert Basedow
reproduced from glass plate negative
National Museum of Australia

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