Pete, way back in 73 not after i first came over to Aus i was a Ganger on the original Ghan line up through Oodnadatta and was stationed at Edwards Creek, just up the track from William and about an hr south of the datta, well i got to know Jimmy Dunn [the then Manager] quite well after a while and even helped him build a couple of Camel chasers [ BMW bikes with a Holden 7" back wheel with a 205- 14 tyre on them] anyway just after we met he was telling all about the place and as i came from a farming background back in NZ specificity the King Country, i asked how big was the place , he just grinned and said "oh its only a small spread about 9000"
what acres i said , then he laughed and said " nah square miles"
i can still remember that night around the 44 gallon drum fire as if it was yesterday,
harsh country, but a great place all the same, just like the sea, you have to have a great respect for what it can throw at you.
thanks for the happy memory
cheers John