Taming the north

Of course, all this is of no avail unless someone uses those tracks. New industries must open up. There are endless possibilities to do this as happened when USA built its railways across the prairies.

A huge agricultural opportunity is immediately apparent.

Canals to convey tropical water from the Gulf Rivers down to the great black soil plains that surround Longreach and beyond would open up the greatest food bowl in the world. Similarly, the great droughts that restrict the productivity of Central Australia can be solved by diverting water from the Fitzroy River in the Kimberley.

We could talk about many more huge opportunities but, as Australia’s greatest pioneer John Flynn (The Man on the Twenty Dollar Notes) once said,

Great things only happen when courageous leaders take the huge risks needed to turn magnificent visions into shining reality despite everyone telling them it is hopeless.

Flynn put those words into practice when he founded the Royal Flying Doctor Service, a world first that overcame incredible obstacles.

Oh, for such a leader to appear once more.