Page 39 - Potted History 2017

Leslie Craig turns the first sod Peter Wright (1922-24)
and Lang Hancock (1925-27)

One day in November 1952, Lang was
flying below threatening clouds just above
the red cliffs and boulders of the Pilbara
landscape. He later recalled:
‘Perhaps it was the rain on them.
They were red, but a red I hadn’t
Junior Boys carrying out ‘earthworks’ next to Memorial Hall - early 1960s
seen before. A deep ochre red.
As I flew into the comparative
safety of the Ashburton Valley I
was convinced that the walls I had
1960s Peter was enthusiastic about Lang’s
15
seen were walls of iron’.
discovery and after some discussion they
formed a partnership, remarkable in as

Late 1960: much as there was no written agreement.
That company was the L.G. Hancock
The Federal Government at last relented Asbestos Company, later becoming
and lifted its ban on the export of iron Hancock & Wright. Despite differences
ore. Old boys Lang Hancock [1924-1927] in personality and temperament, the
and Peter Wright [1923-24] formed a partnership was able to overcome
business partnership to capitalise on giant obstacles in their quest to open
the deposits Hancock had discovered up the Pilbara … Lang took samples
in the Pilbara region in 1952. It was and proved the deposits but it was not
Wembley Downs campus under construction - 1960
the beginning of an exploration and until 1960 that the Federal Government
The Board of Governors wasted little development phase in Western Australia lifted the embargo on the export of
time starting the Wembley Downs that continued into the next century. iron ore. Despite a lack of interest from
development once the negotiations many overseas companies the partners
had been finalised. A leading Perth Although Peter was two years apart at persevered and finally succeeded in
architect, Marshall Clifton, was engaged, Hale School, Hancock and Wright had playing a pivotal role in the development
in association with Old Boy Tony Brand been friends. Peter was staying at the of the iron ore industry in the Pilbara
[1942-1948] Sloan Constructions was Hancock Station Mulga Downs near region.
engaged to carry out the building Wittenoom, when Lang was in the process
program and the long-awaited new era of of developing the blue asbestos deposits
Hale School was underway at last. he had discovered in Wittenoom Gorge.

15 Lang Hancock in The Peter Wright Story ( 1994),
Julie Ball and Bill Edgar, Hale School.
Wembley Downs campus - 1961, prior to the building of Memorial Hall