Monday night was very windy with heavy rain for most of the night. The van was shook by the wind despite the fact that there was a caravan only about 20 feet away and on the windward side. The night was a bit restless because despite the rain and wind, it was still reasonably warm in the van.
The alarm went off at 7am and we slept in for a while. We showered and departed the caravan park by about 9am. We went to the RFDS at the Broken Hill airport. After a tour we decided to become sponsors of the Service – a pledge of $12 per month. The RFDS is funded two thirds by the Federal Government and it is up to the Service to find the other third by means of fund raising. We take a lot of things for granted and it is only by visiting a place like that that we realise just how much good they do for the country.
Next we went on to the School of the Air, but on the way noticed a restaurant/coffee shop high up on a hill on the right hand side – a monument to the miners. An amazing view over Broken Hill and incredibly windy. Again off to the School of the Air.Visitor’s tours between 8.30 and 9.30am and by appointment – we were too late.
Then to Pro Hart’s home and museum. What a man and such a pity that he passed on in March 2006! His Bentley and 3 Rolls Royce vehicles in the driveway!! One of the Rollers was painted by him – all over – even the hub caps had a ring of red paint with black ants painted all over the red strip. It is amazing to believe that one person could produce such a huge variety of styles of art works in a lifetime. His museum is the largest private museum in Australia. He had a room totally devoted to Sir William Dobell. He had two organs which he used to play “whenever he had the time”. They are ones you would see in a church. His wife had a display cupboard full of baby’s rattles. He had a huge collection of paper weights, statues, old toys and artworks including a Picasso.
We visited the Broken Hill Mint that displayed and sold local art works and silver jewellery. “She” purchased a necklace made from the local silver and designed and cast at Broken Hill. Broken Hill silver is renowned as being the most pure available anywhere in the world. We made a quick visit to Coles, refuelled the motor-home and secured a chicken for tea. We experience another video hook-up with the family at home.