Woomera Symbol Of Achievement

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29994, 1 December 1962, Page 3

Woomera Symbol Of Achievement

Woomera. By I. Southall. Angus and Robertson. 264 pp. and Index. Woomera, the author of this book states, “is a word with a magic of its own, producing in the mind of the average man and woman twin images of space—the desert space in which it is probably set, and a still wider space that lies in darkness beyond the earth,” This image will not be destroyed, but clarified, for all who read this fascinating account of the history, development, trials and tribulations of a symbol of British and Australian achievement. Whether dealing with the overpowering, such as the abortive Blue Streak rocket and the fantastically successful Black Knight rocket, or with the mundane, such as life for the housewife in Woomera village, the author illuminates the scene in an all revealing searchlight. This is not only a book about rockets, or even about a rocket range. It is a book about people. Among others we meet Sir Alwyn Crow.

"more the father of this project than any other man;” Jacob, the bush mailman, and Len Beadell the boisterous reconnaissance officer. We also meet a great many of the multitude of civilians and service officers concerned with the administration of the range. Not forgotten are the white settlers and aboriginies whose daily routine is sometimes affected by what goes on. The important, the unimportant—both add flesh to the bare skeleton of a mechanical robot system. Their humour, fortitude and persistence are clearly and sympathetically tabulated by the author. Perhaps his greatest success is in revealing that it is these people that make Woomera. Without them no rocket, whatever its technical perfection, would ever leave the ground. Of necessity, the book is technical in places. But it is entertainingly technical. The author reveals a profound ability to describe the essence of technical equipment without "blinding us with science.” We read of the techniques used for tracking missiles and recording vita!

information from them. We read of America's entry into Woomera and the installation of a satellite tracking station for Project Mercury. The technicalities are important since Woomera is technical. Consequently, the author has no need to apologise for introducing them. However, he has successfully interwoven them into a story of human and not mere technical achievement.

A rather large portion of the book deals with the arrival and firing of a Black Knight Rocket, 8K43, from the rangehead. The culmination of this reads like a science fiction novel. The author transports us to the firing base and no science fiction novelist has ever so successfully recreated the growing tension which reaches its peak at “blast off.” So excellent is the writing that one almost breathes a sigh of relief when it is all over. Finally there are over fifty superlative photographs of Woomera itself which complete an excellent work of both historical, current and future importance.