USC295_0004

MOONBI 41, Page 10
TWENTIETH CENTURY HISTORY
The only interruptions to the tranquility of the splendid
isolation of the Top End in the Twentieth Century until it
was shattered in the 1970's was the war. During the war
an airstrip was constrcted near Rooney's Point
although there is now no obvious evidence of it. There
was a radar station near the Sandy Cape Lighthouse.
During the 1970's the isolation of the Top End has been
broken down - a little to the chagrin of the light keepers
who enjoyed the quiet serenity of the lofty, remote
homes. The first inroads came with the sandmining
leases. Much exploration was done but although much
heavy mineral was located on the Eastern side of the
Island, the western side in the Krambruk Dune lands was
so lacking in any heavy minerals or other impurities that
two separate Mining Companies, Thiess Brothers and
later Dillingham Constructions, sought leases of up to
2000 hectares to mine and extract silica sand for
industrial purposes. Although both companies
relinquished their claims, it is thought that this is one of
the largest deposits of pure high grade silica sand in the
world. Fortunately however in December 1971 this area
was proclaimed a National Park, except for the eastern
coastal strip one kilometre wide which is still covered by
rutile-zircon leases as far south as Indian Head.
The influx off road vehicles still probes the legacy of the
sand mining exploration tracks put in about 1970.
However despite the increasing number of visitors, the
Top End still enjoys more wilderness than any other part of
Fraser Island or South East Queensland.

ANOTHER MARYBOROUGH
The MARYBOROUGH CHRONICLE needs little
excuse for editorials on the subject of resuming
Fraser Island sandmining. The recent visit of the
City fathers of MARYBOROUGH Victoria was
reason for yet another echo. Apparently the
Chronicle hasn't yet realised that no matter how
often Premier Joh says that he can safely drill for
oil near the Great Barrier Reef 74% of
Queenslanders don't believe him. It also ignores
that 77% of Hervey Bay voters elected FIDO Vice
President Ronda Cook to the Hervey Bay Town
Council.
(Picture Cartoon of the MOHA MOHA)
(Picture Photograph of Rollo Petrie)
Rollo Petrie (above), inspecting the ol
Deepuying Nursery which his father established i
1913, only 8 kilometres from the old Bogimba
aboriginal "mission" during the Easter Safar
(See Reminiscences page 15)
(Below) The MOHA MOHA