Young tough versatile can-do experts create Radium Hill uranium mining town in South Australian bindi desert
Top: The first train, the "Atomic Comet", steams into Radium Hill in 1953, flanked by Stobie poles that continued from for 210km bringing electicity from Morgan. Bottom left: The post office made life easier for "Old Hugger", the boundary rider from a nearby sheep station. Bottom right: A flying doctor bi plane at Radium Hill in 1951.
Images courtesy Radium Hill Historical Association
Radium Hill uranium-mining township (1957-61) was set up in South Australia’s outback bindi desert country on the can-do approach and expertise of the “young Turks” of the Tom Playford era.
Kevin Kakoschke, born in Peterborough with a father who worked the Thunder Queen goldfields south of Mannahill in the Depression, was typical of their tough versatility. Schooled at Burra before going rabbiting and fruit picking, Kakoschke took a fitter-and-turner apprenticeship at Radium Hill and joined its design office.
During town construction, the original survey party was the first of many to get lost in the bush. Other difficulties were lack of water, transport and pits of bogging bulldust churned up by trucks. In 1950, the few houses only had wood stoves and kerosene fridges and lamps.
From 1951, small diesel engines generated electricity for lighting, winches and pumps. Surplus diesel army tank engines coupled to alternators in 1952 increased electricity for mining and homes.
The estimated 15 megawatts of power needed for the main production mill, mine, town and support services were eventually met by Electricity Trust of South Australia that took only 15 months from design to install 649 Stobie poles, spanning 210km between North West bend near Morgan and Radium Hill.
Power first hummed through the wires to Radium Hill in 1953 when university graduate Ron Stewien surveyed the turnout from Cutana siding on the main Broken Hill rail line for a spur line out to Radium Hill. It would carry uranium concentrates to Port Pirie. The first “Atomic Comet” steamed into the Radium Hill railway station in October 1953. A passenger service allowed travel to or from Adelaide twice a week. A shorter 20km road built along the rail line embankment let town residents go by car or the 1936 Diamond T private bus to shop in Broken Hill.
In 1951, an Australian-made ex-WW11 army, DH 84 Dragon bi-plane air ambulance was the first Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to land in Radium Hill. Guinea Airways started flights to Adelaide on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Young planner Les Roberts had houses, including imported kit forms, placed overlooking a valley with sports grounds, churches, Australian Inland Mission hospital, banks, post office with telephone switchboard, and private businesses. These amenities cut the turnover of workers from 200% in 1955 to 20% by 1957. A contract miner’ pay was in excess of £100 per fortnight, compared to the postmaster who in 1956 only took home £29.
More than 7,000 trees were planted along streets and recreational areas to buffer against dust storms and help beautify the townscape. Profits from the “wet canteen” helped pay for more amenities. On one hot day, 148 gallons of keg beer and 1,650 bottles were sold in the seven-and-a-half hours that the canteen was open for business.
