Trig history - Ku-ring-gai Chase and West Head

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Tyreless
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Trig history - Ku-ring-gai Chase and West Head

Post by Tyreless » 05 September 13 9:41 am

I'm wondering if anyone can help with with some background information about the old trigs in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. I can see them on the Historical Parish Maps from 1895 but I was looking for more information. Who built them, when, why and how? Perhaps someone has researched the surveyors' notes at the NSW State Archives or other sources of information.

Cheers,

Geoff aka Tyreless

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rogerw3
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Re: Trig history - Ku-ring-gai Chase and West Head

Post by rogerw3 » 05 September 13 11:26 am

Guide to the Historic Trigonometrical Stations of Sydney's North ISBN 9780959029635
Tony Dawson, published by Manly Warringah & Pittwater Historical Society 2007

Best little guide I have found (Well I was told about it) , very hard to get but Deerubbin Press still has a few http://www.deerubbinpress.com.au/travelguides.php

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Tyreless
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Re: Trig history - Ku-ring-gai Chase and West Head

Post by Tyreless » 05 September 13 12:38 pm

Thanks Roger! Plus it's available for loan from Forestville Library or viewing at Dee Why Library Local Studies Section (which is 5 minutes from where I live).

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Yurt
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Re: Trig history - Ku-ring-gai Chase and West Head

Post by Yurt » 05 September 13 1:01 pm

I'd love to hear the history of the building of the trigs in remote areas. When you look at the map and see where some trigs are you can only wonder how they got there, let alone built those amazing constructions. What amazes me is that there never seems to be any sign of where they got the stone from. No excavations in the rock nearby that I've ever found.

The later trigs (early 70s) are not as impressive but I still wonder at the transporting of the concrete and formwork plus the mast and vanes out into the scrub. There would still be a few of the blokes around who built those I guess, no one from the stone cairn era though!

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Tyreless
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Re: Trig history - Ku-ring-gai Chase and West Head

Post by Tyreless » 05 September 13 2:28 pm

I borrowed the book from the library and am enjoying it enormously. Here is an extract from the Acknowledgements that may resonate with some people (myself included):

"Finally I thank my wife Andrea for her support. While she does not share my odd obsessions she cheerfully accepts them and occasionally joins me in my expeditions. After beating around - and through - the bush to reach some unprepossessing trig station from which the enfolding vegetation obscures what might otherwise be a magnificent view she can be forgiven for remaining somewhat mystified, but at least understands why I sometimes come home tired and dishevelled, bringing with me my precious, if equally unprepossessing, photographs - not to mention the odd tick."

Yurt, I think you would love this book. Christmas is only a few months away - perhaps time to drop a few hints to the family members :D .

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Zalgariath
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Re: Trig history - Ku-ring-gai Chase and West Head

Post by Zalgariath » 08 September 13 4:53 pm

Hahaha gold! Some things never change ;)

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rogerw3
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Re: Trig history - Ku-ring-gai Chase and West Head

Post by rogerw3 » 08 September 13 6:30 pm

Zalgariath wrote:Hahaha gold! Some things never change ;)
:oops: Once a Trig chaser, always a Trig chaser! ](*,)

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rogerw3
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Re: Trig history - Ku-ring-gai Chase and West Head

Post by rogerw3 » 08 November 13 11:18 am

:wink:
Just bringing this topic back to the attention of our local intrepid Trig chasers.
8)

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Yurt
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Re: Trig history - Ku-ring-gai Chase and West Head

Post by Yurt » 08 November 13 1:53 pm

Yes I see now...

Love the new avatar of the PT with the trig design, rogerw3! Are they in production?

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rogerw3
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Re: Trig history - Ku-ring-gai Chase and West Head

Post by rogerw3 » 08 November 13 2:40 pm

Yurt wrote: Love the new avatar of the PT with the trig design, rogerw3! Are they in production?
Thanks Mate, they have just been put into production, ETA late December

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