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Railway – A spur line was constructed from the main Broken Hill line in 1954, a distance of 18 Km.

 

Air – An aerodrome was constructed and regular flights by Guinea Airways enabled Broken Hill to be reached in18 minutes and Adelaide in 2 hours. The Royal Flying Doctor Service made use of the field for emergency and regular visits by the Flying Doctor.

 

Road – Initially from Olary but later from Cutana following the railway spur line. At times the bumpy,

dusty, road conditions caused a number of accidents to occur.

Early accommodation was provided in tents. However in the late 1950’s approximately 1000 people were

living there in 165 houses and over 200 two-man cubicles. Over 35 different nationalities were represented

with the majority being British followed by Australians.  Services provided included an A.I.M. Hospital, Public School and Kindergarden, Post Office, Police Station, Government Retail Store, weather station, State Bank branch, and a Civic Hall. A Wet Canteen, Milk Bar, Library, swimming pool, recreation room and drive in cinema were also provided.

Private trading organizations were established by way of a Service Station, a store for newspapers etc. a cool drink factory, milk bar & grill room, barber shop, and a bus service to Broken Hill. Two churches were built by voluntary labour, a Catholic Church (42, 000 hand made bricks) including a school complex, and a second United Church used by all other de-nominations.

A rather unique organization called The Radium Hill Social Club grew up in the community to encourage

social and sporting interests within the town, surrounding pastoral district and townships. It played a major

part in the development of the close knit community spirit of Radium Hill and was financed partly through

profits made by the Wet Canteen, (on one hot day 1,650 bottles & 149 gallons of keg beer were sold).

As a country town Radium Hill was very active in most sporting and social activities. Sporting clubs

included cricket, baseball, tennis, softball, soccer, rugby, Aussie Rules football, table tennis, boxing, judo, rifle shooting, gliding, flying, golf, and model aeroplane flying.  Some of the organizations included the Country Womens Association (C.W.A.), Mothers & Babies Health Assn., Pre-school, R.S.L., Buffalo Lodge, Masonic Lodge, Labour Day Sports, Drama Group, Camera Club, Magicians Club, 15 Club, Boy Scouts, various unions, Radium Hill Sporting & Athletic Club, Church Fellowships, Sunday Schools, Adult Education, Fire Service, Catholic Church, United Church, Youth Club, various gambling outlets, and of course the Social Club which published a weekly information / news letter called the “Radio Activity”.

This association has evolved in response to a survey of former Radium Hill residents conducted in 1990

as to whether or not they were interested in having a Radium Hill Reunion in 1991. From the very positive

response to have a Reunion, the Radium Hill Pioneers Cemetery was rehabilitated, a book entitled, “We

Were Radium Hill” was written, and a Reunion attended by over 400 people was held in Radium Hill and

Adelaide on the Easter week-end of 1991.

A News-letter was written and posted to some 300 people out-lining ongoing activities of the group. A Reunion is held every five years. Two Hundred People (200), attended a reunion in 2006 to celebrate the Centenary of Radium Hill’s initial discovery. This reunion will also be to bring together those folk who were born (117), at the A.I.M. hospital and those who attended the Radium Hill Schools. A varying number of folk spend Easter of each year camped on the old school grounds where we have built toilets, shower & BBQ facilities for folk to enjoy heritige museum tours, gem & mineral fossicking, golf, camp conserts, film evenings, relaxing & renewing of old friendships.

 

Our initial name The Radium Hill Community Assn. was changed to Radium Hill Reunion Committee and

now for legal purposes The Radium Hill Historical Assn. Our newsletter is now called the “Radio

Activity”, in keeping with the original name of the newsletter printed in Radium Hill. The mailing list of

this newsletter has been over 650, and is posted out in February each year to ex-Radium Hill residents and

families. The objectives of the Assn. are to establish and preserve the historical and cultural heritage of the

former Radium Hill town, Pioneers Cemetery, and Heritage Museum. To act as a focus regarding news,

information and welfare of former Radium Hill residents and their families. The achievements of the Assn. would not have been possible without the efforts of voluntary helpers, grants, donations of money, goods, and services for which it is sincerely thankful.

To preserve memorabilia of Radium Hill as part of our heritage, and in one place, the Radium Hill

Historical Association with the approval of Tikalina Station owners have set up this museum. It depicts the

evolution of Radium Hill, from its initial discovery and birth, its association with Sir Douglas Mawson,

through its hey days of the 1950’s, its closure, and now its memories, legacies, and historical interest.

Sixteen (16) "Then & Now" historic interpretive photo panels have been installed in the "Ghost Town" site and are a must see. If visiting the museum we hope you enjoy viewing the artifacts, photo’s and memorabilia depicting the life and

times of those folk who were Radium Hill.