Outback dreams - Atalanta Bradshaw and the Old Telegraph Station

Atalanta Bradshaw remains an integral part of Alice Springs's history. Destined for the heat and timeless beauty of Central Australia, Atalanta Bradshaw (nee Allchurch) was no stranger to travel. She was born on March 10, 1866, onboard a ship off the Cape of Good Hope. She was named after this ship and took her first breath of life on the sea.

At the end of the voyage, her family reached their destination of the new world of Australia. Seven children died on the voyage. Atalanta was lucky to survive and later married Tom Bradshaw. They moved to Central Australia when Atalanta was thirty-three as her husband Tom took up a job at the Telegraph Station.

We know her only through the filter of history. She left her name and her mark on Alice. We don’t know what went through her mind or what she dreamed about. Did she ever think about her journey north from Adelaide along the Oodnadatta Track? Did she ever fret for lack of familiar companionship? Was she ever fearful?

The Telegraph Station Buildings, Alice Springs

Atalanta gained a reputation for being dependable, someone to call when in need of help. She was indiscriminate in her kindness, assisting both Indigenous and European people. After Tom and Atalanta left Alice Springs, they moved around as Tom was put in charge of multiple different post offices and telegraph stations. Atalanta built many strong connections with other residents in all these places, only to have to bid them goodbye when she followed her husband to his next post.

Today, numerous landmarks in Alice bear the name of Bradshaw. Alongside her husband, Atalanta is considered a pioneer in her own right as she contributed markedly to the early years of Alice Springs, uniting the community through her own strength and service.

However, so much is lost to time. We see only a snapshot. Why is she remembered when so many others are nameless? Who gets to write history? There are millions of voices lost within its pages, millions of stories that go undocumented. Alice Springs today is not without challenges as its own identity continues to evolve. How will our current day in this town be remembered? What will each of us contribute?

We cannot answer all the questions that arise.

We can only build the future.