Elephant grass, Three Rivers Station.

In 1926, Alexander McCallum was Minister for Public Works and made a ministerial tour of the North-West region which had recently come under his responsibility. After arriving in Meekathara by train, his small party travelled 4650 km by motor car and 2092 km by boat, taking in Nullagine, Port Hedland, Broome, Derby, Fitzroy, Halls Creek, Wyndham, Ord River Station and points between. The photographs record the difficulties of the motor car leg of the journey, was well as the landscape, industry and development, and local people. Further context for the photographs is provided by a diary in the collection kept by McCallum’s personal secretary, William S. Andrew.