Thomas Wood writes about Dolo Tank and Frank Olerhead

         Extract from essay by on the caretaker of Dolo Tank

Thomas Wood wrote a short essay on Dolo Tank in the 1920’s and 30’s when Frank was caretaker for the Australian Broadcasting Commission's "Outback Visions" essay contest.  Unfortunately I have only this extract and the complete article seems to have been removed from the ABC web site.

K Olerhead
Nov. 2009

“Dolo tank was a special stopping place for many who travelled along the outback stock route between Wilcannia and Broken Hill. It was established as a watering place for livestock on the long trek to the railhead at Broken Kill; a large earthen dam of tank excavated to collect rainwater which was pumped by a large windmill to a long watering trough.

A tank keeper was employed to keep the whole set-up in good working order and a small hut was provided as his living quarters. In this hut ,he offered all kinds of good things for those passing by. Young mothers with children were given special attention.

The Wood family travellers got to know the tank keeper very well over the years. He was a real outback character and always offered refreshments and was a provider of all kinds of help and some amusement, with the help of his Collie dog.

It was the first place where I heard the magic of the wireless set. Aerial wires were strung from the hut to a high pole, which added another feature to the outback landscape.

Has a story ever been told about the Dolo tank keeper? Stockmen, drovers, pastoralists, travellers of all kinds must have recorded something. It is over 80 years since my first visit to Dolo Tank and I am sure there must have been a lot of goodness in the goat’s milk provided for nourishment!

Driving past Dolo today in a modern motorcar, there is nothing to be seen – just a sign at a creek crossing, saying “Dolo Creek”. The days of my memory, the surrounding landscape, were barren and dusty….

Dolo Tank provided well for man and beast and is worthy of some recognition in historical records. I wish I could remember the name of the tank keeper. There was something special about the road between Wilcannia and Broken Hill during the 1919-1932 years."