Jack Montgomery opens his scrap book to show Prime
Minister Menzies greeting riders arriving in Canberra on May 8, 1951.
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A hero in his own saddlebag? Not now! Jack Montgomery is one of what
appears to be many, unsung Australian pioneers of outback cycling. Talking
to Jack recently as part of gathering and recording some of the history
of the 1951 Jubilee Loyalty Despatch Ride, I felt humbled. Necessity and
passion drove him to achieve what cycling organisations are working so
hard to achieve today – using the bicycle as a means, not an end.
Jack tells how in late 1940’s as a young man with a passion for
drawing and painting he couldn’t afford a car, let alone a 4WD. He
was obsessed with the isolation and peace of the outback. The only way
he could get to experience and record this fascinating environment was
to load up his bicycle and pedal. This he did, making 19 outback trips
in all, including a crossing of the Nullarbor from east to west in 1949.
To those that have done this trip in more recent times, it’s difficult
to appreciate the challenge and danger of such a ride then. In the 27
days it took to get to Norseman, Jack met one motorist. This motorist
got so excited he ended up running into Jack’s front wheel! He drank
from water wells that inevitably were afloat with dead animals, and slept
under the stars. Jack’s driving ambition was to visit Birdsville
and he made three attempts. The 1950 "go" was aborted because
of the effects of monsoonal weather higher up – to listen to Jack’s
account of his frustration and disappointment was like being part of living
history. This time he had to return to Melbourne via Maree, the Flinders
Ranges and Adelaide. He parked his bicycle outside the Adelaide Tourist
Bureau, proud of his accomplishment despite the Birdsville non-event.
Here, Jack was approached by Vic Brewer and asked if he would like a six
months job the next year to ride the Alice Springs-to Canberra leg of
the Jubilee Ride. When Jack received an official letter confirming he
had leave WITH pay from the Victoria Education Department, he felt he
was indeed special. Sir Hubert Opperman opened many doors for the 1951
ride.
Over several hours Jack retold his jubilee adventure. The start at Alice
Springs was made more graphic by his handwritten diary, which recorded
all the organisations that had contributed pledges of loyalty, which he
was to carry. Additional baggage was a painting by Albert Namatjira with
whom Jack had had the pleasure of painting. The painting was a gift to
Sir Robert Menzies. He set off, not down the paved highway but by way
of the Oodnadatta Track – no company no support and only the unexpected
a certainty. Jack’s three fears were a broken axle (no means of substitution),
appendicitis (no solution) and bulls (no escape)! He camped and ate meagerly,
carrying canvas water bags. His time schedule was almost his undoing.
Often having to walk and making slow progress on the camel paads, Jack
was running two days behind. To make his next commitment, he decided to
travel by night, walking the railway line for guidance. A mis-step - the
gravel under a sleeper was hollow and he fell. He heard his pump hit the
ground an indeterminable time later. He was hanging with his arm around
one sleeper and his other arm hanging onto his bike for dear life! If
that went, his whole support system would vanish. He was dangling on the
edge of a railway bridge. The anguish of not being powerful enough to
hoist himself back up in the dark was nothing to the terror he felt as
he heard and saw an oncoming train in the distance. The human spirit is
a powerful thing and Jack says it must have been pure adrenaline that
powered him up just in time to escape the razor wheels. The train flashed
by, oblivious to the drama and near disaster.
Jack Montgomey clutching loyalty pledge cards, with
Bruce Small giving him a "knockout" blow whilst Opperman looks on
at the completion of the ride. |
The good times are very clear in Jacks memory. His scrapbook of press
cuttings is testament to the receptions and warm welcomes he received
from many small communities. Of note was the two day celebration staged
at Leigh Creek – they wouldn’t let him leave. He remembers Hawker
and Peterborough on his way to Adelaide where 10,000 cyclists farewelled
him and the other relay riders from this point. Jack says it was no picnic
on the way to Melbourne – throughout each day, one hour on the bike,
a few hours rest, repeat performance regardless of the conditions. The
army support truck, courtesy of the government, provided somewhere to
sleep among the hundreds of thousands of pledges. Melbourne feted the
riders in grand style. Escort riders from local cycling clubs, all over
the country often accompanied the relay riders to give support.
Arrival at Parliament House, Canberra was a grand event. Opperman rode
the last part of the journey. Jack becomes very vibrant and passionate
as he speaks of the three little girls who put garlands of flowers around
the three riders’ necks, of the honour of being greeted but Sir Robert
Menzies, and the lavishness of the reception in Parliament House. He recalls
the dead tiredness that overtook the riders at the pictures as they relaxed
for the first time in weeks. He produces the medal which was struck to
commemorate their efforts – quietly proud and visibly excited that
the result of a suggestion he put to his Federal Member of Parliament
means that once again Australia will be on the move, on bicycles.
Jack will be on the steps of Parliament House on May 8th 2001, to recognise
those who will have contributed as Links in the Chain across Australia,
and to welcome the riders who have ridden from all parts to Canberra to
symbolise the unity that occurred in Australia over the hundred years
since Federation. Almost as Jack was completing his epic ride, I was born.
Fifty years on, in the company of cycling friends I will take Jack’s
lead and contribute to the Centenary of Federation by riding from Alice
Springs to Canberra. Other riders will visit the towns named as potential
sites for the National Capital. This will be nothing like Jack’s
challenge but we share in spirit the wonderment of the outback, the pleasure
of the isolation and the amazing beauty of our country. I will be proud
to shake this man’s hand. After the "Links in the Chain"
Federation Ride, we will all be history!
Jack eventually made it to Birdsville in 1964. He hasn’t ridden
for a longtime but is working up to participating in the Federation Cycle
in Canberra on 9th May – his first visit since 1951.
Marie Wensing, Nov 2000.
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