16th November 1917
Recipe Card for Building a Nation
Recipe: East & West Stew (Serves: A whole continent)
Ingredients
· 1,690 km of stubborn dirt (Nullarbor-flavoured)
· 2.5 million hardwood sleepers, diced
· 140,000 tonnes of steel rail, room temperature
· A pinch of Ooldea dust, to taste
· 1 foreman named Jack (30s, moustache, optimism)
· 1 telegraph clerk Maud (20s, sharp eyes, sharper pencil)
· 1 loco driver Frank (40s, soot-powered)
· 1 camp cook Elsie (30s, feeds everyone, runs the show)
Method
1. In 1912, preheat continent to “federation promise.” Start laying track from both ends. Stir occasionally with camels, water tanks and paperwork.
2. Simmer through a world war. If materials get lumpy, swear in multiple dialects, then keep stirring.
3. Add Jack: “We’re two days from the meet.” Add Maud, tapping Morse like a metronome: “Closer than your morning shave, mate.”
4. Fold in Frank and Elsie. Frank keeps the kettle whistling; Elsie keeps the nation vertical with stew and sarcasm.
5. On 17 October 1917, at Ooldea, bring both halves together. Insert last spike with flourish. Let the crowd cheer; do not drop the hammer on your boot.
6. Rest for five days. Serve first passenger train Port Augusta → Kalgoorlie in 42 hours 48 minutes. Garnish with postcards reading “Across the Nullarbor in comfort!”
Notes from the chef: Tracks cross many Countries; travel with respect. If unity begins to separate, reheat with steel, patience and tea. Best enjoyed with a tailwind and a window seat.
* as depicted by AI - may not factually be correct