The following is an extract from a forthcoming biography of Lang Hancock by Lang and Hope in their frail aircraft survived to tell the tale but Lang had made a John McRobert. This is the only biography to have been authorised by Mr commitment to go back and examine the area more closely. After their breathtaking Hancock’s family and the author has been afforded complete access to all flight through the gorges they landed briefly at Yinnietharra to refuel before records held by Pty Ltd. The book will be released to resuming their flight to Woolleen. mark 50 years of HPPL, the parent company founded by Lang Hancock. The following day, the trip to was comparatively uneventful - as uneventful as another 5 or 6 hours aloft in a small aircraft watching the unfolding landscape for The discovery flight of November 22, 1952. navigational clues can be. They had no radio for weather warnings or entertainment, so they sang, talked and watched the world go by, with a particular In Nunyerry the summer storm season was approaching and soon the access road interest in familiar landmarks, their aerial roadsigns. would be inaccessible. The flimsy little Auster was parked on the 'airstrip' Lang had cleared on the floor of the gorge - the plan was to fly south to Lang’s sister’s sheep On returning to the North West after their annual sojourn in Perth, Lang flew his station at Woolleen and then to Perth. Clouds were building on the horizon. Lloyd little Auster back time and time again to the 'deep ochre red' gorges through which Marshall described the flight in an article published in 1963. he escaped the storms. He landed on unprepared ground, in spinifex country, on mesas, in gorges, places no other vehicle had been or could get to. He took ore Over the Hamersleys he faced a barrier of massed towering cumulus - suicide for an samples for a stretch of over 50 miles and after having them assayed in Perth Auster to attempt to enter. There was no going back to Nunyerry. They were realised he had made a discovery of world significance. shaping up behind him as fast as they were shaping up in front. There was only Hobson’s, or Hancock’s choice. He had to go under them. They forced him lower A superb bush pilot in a fragile, basic flying machine had done what no major and lower on to streaming red cliffs, jagged gorges and boulder-strewn flat tops of company in the country had been able to achieve. the Hamersleys. But there was still a Commonwealth embargo on the export of iron ore and a State But he had not lived his life in the Hamersleys to end it here ... He knew he was in ban on pegging iron ore prospects. Lang couldn't reveal his find until he could the Turner River country. He knew he was somewhere over the source. It was secure legal tenure over the area. He lobbied relentlessly. The Commonwealth country rarely, if ever, entered by a white man. He knew that the water in the gorges embargo was finally partially lifted in December 1960 but it took another year for running south must be joining the Turner. So gorge-groping he went. Just over the the State pegging bans to be eased sufficiently to allow access to these giant deposits. tops of the trees he racketed down the gorges, always following the ever-increasing torrent of water. He had never been down low over this country before. He had McRobert asks - How will future generations perceive Lang Hancock?. More has always flown it with the safety of thousands of feet between him and the been written about him than perhaps any other Australian not in political Hamersleys. office. Much of this has been ill informed, especially when covering only the last few years of an eventful and productive life. A shadow has been The Auster gave everything he asked of it. He reached the Turner headwaters. cast over his enormous achievements. But Lang Hancock’s drive, energy and Judging his way through the neck of a gorge the Turner had cut (I’ve been there. It’s vision should never be forgotten. The wealth he accessed is shared in about half a dozen wing-spans) the pilot’s practised eye surrendered momentarily to various ways by every living Australian and as beneficiaries we must the practised eye of the prospector. The walls of this gorge were different. They were understand and appreciate the background to the affluent society we enjoy still red. But it was a different red. They were a sort of ... a deep ochre red.' today. These pages pay tribute to a great man who did more than his share to make it so. MEMORABLE QUOTES “At that time there was a Commonwealth Embargo on the export of iron ore because it was thought that Australia only had about 30 - 35 years life of iron ore LANG HANCOCK and there was also a state blanket on the issuing of titles, so had this become known, “So I was brought up in those days when I it would have gone straight to Government property, nothing could have been done was a child and then when you're right in the with it privately.” outback, you have to be self sufficient, you “I was able to trace with the plane that this ore body went for 70 miles and I didn't have the luxury that you've got now, so if followed it along in the plane for 70 miles and I had just assumed that seeing that you were bought up in that atmosphere and the Australia officially had no iron ore in it, that it must have been low grade and a lot father before me bought up in that atmosphere, of rubbish. So I managed to buck myself down in a patch of Spinifex, if it wasn't it gives you a sense of independence because if so thick in the little plane I could walk across, took some samples and to my surprise you don't look after yourself then nobody else is they were 2% higher than the standard blast furnace feed in the mightiest nation on going to look after you.” earth, the United States, so I knew that it was not only large, but it was high grade.” “In those days the only communication “It was the same old story, the myth about Australian iron ore was deeply from the point of view of getting supplies, the ingrained in the politicians and power brokers of the day. There was no progress wagons used to come out every four or five or and an almost stultifying inactivity pervaded.” six months, they were camel wagons. The “…. Well when we found out that the blanket was going to be lifted, we got in conditions were a bit too rough for horses, but touch with and got backing from their Managing Director and then we the camels used to drag the wagons out. The sent some ground parties headed by Bill Newman.” flour was a bit weevilly, a case of jam was a luxury, there was no butter, but there was of course plenty of meat. And vegetables were grown. People were very self BILL NEWMAN reliant in what they couldn't bring from civilised areas, they made and did for themselves”. (Cousin of Lang Hancock) “… everything comes out of the earth, you either mine it or you grow it and you “It was a bit tough but it was alright. It was can't even grow anything until you first of all mine the tools of trade and the exciting - the enthusiasm that Lang showed, you phosphates and the things that are necessary for agriculture, you've got to start with couldn't help but to be taken up with that the earth”. enthusiasm and I've prospected most of my life “I was travelling down overland to Perth which was a distance of a thousand as Lang said, to be on a thing which was world miles. The roads were pretty bad, the vehicles weren't what they are today, I got 17 class I suppose is the dream of every prospector, punctures on the way down, the gearbox fell to pieces on me, and two or three to have an Eldorado.” other, the starter motor got stuck and the driest stage was 120 miles between water, and the starter motor went out so um and finally when I did get a bit closer to LANG HANCOCK civilisation, half way down, an aeroplane went over the top and there's only one, I “Well people knowing this throughout the think we had about three in at that time and I thought well that's world, people interested in iron ore, knew that the way to do it and since then I think I've had more aircraft than I have had motor there was no iron ore in Australia and here was cars." I, a boy from the bush, no experience, no “In November of 1952, I was flying down south with my wife Hope, and we education, no letters after his name or anything, left a bit later than usual and by the time we got over the Hamersley Ranges, the trying to tell them that I'd found by far the clouds had formed and the ceiling got lower and lower. I got into the Turner River, world's largest iron ore deposits, a whole field knowing full well if I followed it through, I would come out into the Ashburton. actually and you know, 30 or 40 firms On going through a gorge in the Turner River, I noticed that the walls looked to me throughout the world said "run away, it's a lot to be solid iron and was particularly alerted by the rusty looking colour of it, it of rubbish.” showed to me to be oxidised iron.” LANG HANCOCK LANG HANCOCK “Unbeknown to me, they rang up what was then known as the Bureau of “They were lucky to get it because, and several Mineral Resources in Canberra and Doctor Argot, the head of it, said Hancock's times after it, big firms around the world said to talking through his hat, we've done a magnetometer survey of all that area and Val Duncan “you're a damn fool to pay Hancock there's nothing there. So then they came back to me and I said well look if there's and Wright that royalty - we wouldn't have ever nothing there you pay me a royalty - there's nothing there it doesn't cost you done it” and Duncan said “no, and you wouldn't anything.” of got Hamersley Iron either.” “If you look out on the right hand side of the plane, you'll see the ore coming to the surface. Particularly if you look up the little gullies, all the way there, you'll JAMES BARBER, see the black nobbly ores sticking out of the ground. Iron to the left of you, iron to SENIOR EXECUTIVE KAISER STEEL, the right of you, iron straight ahead of you, it is iron, iron, iron wherever you look.” USA “I thought that from then on that Rio Tinto would take it away and never look “Australia is fortunate to have such a man able back.” to contribute to the development of its natural “Well, Rio Tinto Melbourne, they kept dithering and so on, and I said now look resources. More than any one man, Lang you're going to lose this whole box and dice if you don't side up to the Western Hancock is responsible for the Hamersley Iron , you've really got to have a few guts and come in. So they development.” came over and I teed up a meeting with the Premier, Mine Minister Griffiths and “Lang Hancock personally discovered large quantities of iron ore in the Court, got them in the door and then they said well this is a courtesy visit, so I could Hamersleys as early as 1952, prior to the lifting of the embargo. He collected see that we were not going to get very far. So the relations became more and more samples and had them analysed. He knew he had made major finds, which could strained with Melbourne, the harder and harder we thrashed, and the more rows well alter the world pattern of iron ore supply. From the start he had a vision, the we had, and the harder we drove them to accept such a bonanza.” comprehension and the faith that was required to set the stage for the development “I found out that the power lay with a chap named Duncan in England.” of these resources on a scale commensurate with their value. He thought in world terms, rather than in just national. It is this early comprehension of the order of SIR VAL DUNCAN OBE, magnitude of the scene yet to unfold that set him apart.” CHAIRMAN & CHIEF EXECUTIVE, RIO TINTO “He studied the world ore picture. He mastered the basic statistics. He noted the methods used. He was shrewd enough to realise that he needed help in bringing “We found a great deal of iron ore, this was brought to us in the first instance by his dream to fruition..” Lang Hancock, who is a very well known pastoralist in Western Australia and who had been staring at iron ore a long time from his Hamersley doorstep and we came “A great believer in the individual and what he can accomplish on his own, to an arrangement with him, and his partner Peter Wright, as a result of which they Lang exerted his considerable influence and strong sense of direction toward lifting lead us to very important iron ore resources.” the embargo and encouraging iron ore development by private enterprise. He did much to ensure that an economic climate in Western Australia, conducive to the large inflow of capital, which he knew would be required, was established. At times PETER WRIGHT his efforts on behalf of his state and country cost him personal popularity.” “Mr Price had 3 or 4 hours over and around it with “Lang took Tom Price in hand when he went over to examine the ore deposits. Lang and when he came back he was so carried away that He flew him about showing him the ore and talked to him. A great deal of Lang’s everybody else was carried away with him and from then contagious enthusiasm and appreciation of the potentials involved rubbed off on on, there wasn't any question that it was one of and Tom. Lang exerted himself in every way to help Kaiser fit into the picture. Our probably the greatest fields of iron ore in the world.” company owes him a deep debt of gratitude. Our participation in Hamersley Iron has made Kaiser Steel a large and far stronger company.” “Without Lang Hancock there would be no Hamersley Iron.” THE HON. DOUG SHAVE, SIR JAMES CRUTHERS THEN MINISTER FOR LANDS; FAIR TRADING; PARLIAMENTARY “To say simply that he was a great West Australian could be considered something AND ELECTORAL AFFAIRS of an understatement. In my opinion he was a pioneer of great stature and is – when announcing the forthcoming naming of the Hancock Ranges deserving of a place alongside the great names in our State’s history. He was a major “This visionary man persevered against considerable odds. He was part of the heart player in one of the State's most important periods of development – development and soul of this land" & "much of today’s development in the owes its which, of course, benefited not only the State and Federal Governments and the existence to the persistent endeavours of Lang Hancock.” mining and other industrial companies involved, but also the nation and its people.”

SIR JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN W H (Harold) CLOUGH (member of Parliament for 41 years and Premier of “One thing I always admired about Lang was when he finally made his fortune after for over 19 years) persuading Rio Tinto to establish Hamersley Iron, he continued to invest all his resources into exploring and developing the Pilbara Region he knew and loved so “If anyone deserves the recognition of something like, the re-naming of a well. He probably did more for Western Australia than anyone I know and I believe mountain range and a mountain peak, it’s Lang Hancock, for what he achieved in it is a contribution that should be recognised.” the well being of the State and the jobs and opportunities he created in so many directions. I am glad I have come all the way from Kingaroy to hear Doug, to hear BRIGADIER W D JAMIESON you say that. I got a whisper that you might be good enough to announce it today, you have given a good indication – I am glad I was able to come.” “I have been unable to understand why it is that the late Mr Lang Hancock was never honoured in his lifetime. Surely he would have been very eligible for an DR EDWARD TELLER, HOOVER INSTITUTION, USA Imperial or Australian honour for the wonderful contribution he made to the development of the North West of Western Australia. I have travelled extensively “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to make comments to a meeting throughout the state and noted many places, features and roads etc. have been commemorating the great accomplishments of your father, Lang Hancock. I shall named after Governors, Premiers, Politicians etc, but in my view very few of these never forget the pleasure of meeting him. people have made a contribution to the state comparable with Mr Hancock.” Lang Hancock had one splendid accomplishment; his discovery and exploitation of iron ores in North West Australia. He changed your continent from an importer of iron ore to an exporter on a world wide scale. This exercise in free enterprise brought great profits to him, but much greater profits to Australia as a whole.” SIR JOH BJELKE-PETERSON JOHN RINEHART “I met Lang many times and in those early days with Gina also from time to time, (GRANDSON OF LANG AND HOPE HANCOCK) Lang would ring me sometimes and say earlier this morning say: Joh I will be in Brisbane tonight and any chance in getting together with you in your office in the “Children of the future may not know of Lang Hancock, a man who stood for his morning and having a little talk for an hour or so and a cup of tea. And I would beliefs, had drive and determination second to none, and whose dreams were bigger say to Lang, well I am booked out with deputation’s, the house is sitting and so on than the forces against him. It is this pioneering spirit which built Australia, and and he would say, well we could overcome that easily Joh, you get up a bit earlier, the history we share in this young country. Lang Hancock had this spirit and tried feed your chooks as you do at quarter to six, before the six o’clock news and you to create the same energy in others through his dreams for the Pilbara. Although come down to the Park Royal, it only takes you ten minutes to walk down there and Lang Hancock may be gone, his spirit should stay as a reminder to future I will have your ham, bacon and eggs and toast ready for you – so at quarter past generations of the hardships, work and dreams that went into this great country six. So we had breakfast and we did it that way a number of times – Gina, you were they enjoy.” there on some of those occasions, I remember very well. I enjoyed those talks very much, I liked both Gina and her father, they were positive people, they knew where they were going and they didn’t allow themselves to get pushed and pulled around like happens today so often.” FOR HOPE •••••• “The thoughts of love which I endure Which cast on me a spell so true Lang Hancock’s aircraft logbook showing the entry page for the November 22 1952 Are thoughts of Hope and they mature that Perth I’ll fly and Hope I’ll woo discovery flight With days that pass and nights that drag With love unstinted, just for you.” To cause my mind, my heart to sag Lang