The American Connection

During the Second World War Alice Springs became a virtual military camp, with up to 8,000 troops stationed in the town at the peak of activities, and a major base from which troops in Northern Australia were supplied.

Except for Darwin, there was probably no town in Australia more affected by the War than Alice Springs. It was re-established as an important defence industry location in the mid-1960’s when on 9 December 1966 an agreement was signed for the construction of a United States-Australian Joint Defence Space Research Facility 19 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs at Pine Gap.

Part of the paradox of Alice Springs is that while being one of the most isolated towns in Australia, it has always been closely linked to the world’s major cities because of communications technology. It started with construction of the Overland Telegraph Line in 1872 providing a vital communication link between Australia and England, and emerged as a base for global satellite technology.

Pine Gap

The Joint Defence Facility is a major contributor to the economic health of Alice Springs and the broader region. From a combined workforce of 454 in 1978, the base is now a major employer, providing work for some 700 United Sates and Australia Defence personnel. With immediate family members taken into account, the total American population of Alice Springs currently numbers approximately 2000.

Expenditure of salaries, local utilities, housing rentals and airfares contributes approximately $12 million a year to the local economy. A government to government agreement between the USA and Australia on the establishment of the facility requires purchases be made “in-country” wherever possible.

Social and Cultural

Beyond the pure economics of the relationship, the American presence has also greatly enriched the town’s social and cultural life. From the outset, the American community has participated fully in the life of the town. They are closely involved in the work of the town’s service organisations such as the Lions and Rotary Clubs; enthusiastically compete in the madcap Henley on Todd Regatta, the town’s world famous annual dry river bed regatta; participate widely in the town’s numerous sporting activities and, indeed, were largely responsible for the introduction of baseball, basketball and ten pin bowling, all strong elements of our sporting life.