Share
clip 1Clip description
Reg Sprigg is taking Bill Peach for a 4-wheel drive trek to the far reaches of his extraordinary Flinders Ranges property, Arkaroola. Street and Peach sit perched over a rocky cavern, while Sprigg tells a story relating to the property. Sprigg, who began life as a geologist, was charged, along with Sir Mark Oliphant, the nuclear physicist, with finding a reliable source of uranium in the Flinders Ranges during the war years, in order to assist the allies to research and develop what turned out to be the nuclear bomb. Sprigg uses a Geiger counter to demonstrate the presence of uranium in the rocks where they’re sitting.
Curator’s notes
Arkaroola sheep station was taken over by the Sprigg family in 1968. When Reg Sprigg took over the property he sold off all the sheep and created the Arkaroola tourist resort and wildlife sanctuary. Reg is a great character, and the program makes good use of his personality.
