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Grader

Photograph courtesy TSA.

All that remains to represent this type of medium to large grader is a photograph of one used on the Eyre Highway in the first half of the 20th century. Donated by the Woods and Forestry Department for the official opening of the sealed Eyre Highway in 1976. The grader was located at the scenic lookout rest area MM132.68 on Eyre Highway near Wigunda Microwave Tower, approximately 53 km west of Nullabor, in 1976. In 2003 the decision was made to take the badly corroded machine to scrap. Vandals several years earlier had removed the plaque marking the sealed completion of the Eyre Highway in 1976.

Built by the British Standard Machinery Co. in 1939 this grader was used for road maintenance in the District Council of Jamestown until 1959. It was later purchased by the Woods and Forestry Department, presumably for forest and fire track construction and maintenance. The ‘Britstand’ model 860 was a good example of a five to six horse drawn grader that was later converted for drawing by a tractor.

The 1950s was an era of restrictions on United States dollars, therefore most equipment at this time was purchased locally or from the United Kingdom. British Standard Machinery Co. was an agent for a range of machines manufactured in the United Kingdom. This company was taken over by Clyde Industries in 1959.

Photograph courtesy TSA.

This plaque commemorated the opening of the Eyre Highway in 1976.

The need for a good road between the East and West of Australia became most obvious with the start of World War II. An alternative transport route to the railway was necessary. Work on a military road across the Nullabor commenced in July 1941 and was completed in six months. The road was initially called the Forrest Highway, after the explorer John Forrest (who later became Premier of Western Australia). The name Eyre Highway appeared around 1945 and for a short time both names were used.

Photograph courtesy TSA.

Minister for Transport Geoff Virgo and Highways Commissioner Keith Johinke standing in front of the grader, at the opening of Eyre Highway in 1976.

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