Traeger Hills - WA

Situated past the southern edge of the Connelly basin, the Treagar Hills was the site of one of the original Eagle Survey Camps complete with airstrip. This low range is named after Victorian (Dimboola) born Alfred Hermann (Alf) Traeger (2/8/1895 - 31/7/1980) who, after displaying a keen interest in early telephones and wireless transmission, came to the attention of the Reverend John Flynn of the Australian Inland Mission. In 1926 Traeger and Flynn began wireless experiments at Alice Springs, the Hermannsburg Mission and other places. In 1928 Alf Traeger developed a radio driven by the feet, using bicycle pedals from the Malvern Star Company. The concept gained the support of Sidney Kidman and the first test transmission was conducted at Augustus Downs Station QLD. Traegar set up the machine and aerial, and on 19 June 1929 the wife of the station manager, Gertrude Rothery, made the first transmission on the No 1 pedal wireless. Traegar radios provided security and safety for people of the outback and were also used throughout the 50’s and 60’s by National Mapping Crews and even Len Beadell.