RIP Dick Lang
Submitted: Saturday, Jan 04, 2020 at 22:27
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Phil G
Dick Lang has sadly passed away in the
Kangaroo Island Bushfires.
An absolute legend of the Australian Outback:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-04/change-brings-relief-to-fire-ravaged-kangaroo-island/11840422https://7news.com.au/news/bushfires/kangaroo-island-bushfire-victims-identified-as-well-known-pilot-dick-lang-and-his-son-c-632652
"'Desert Dick' Lang, 78, was a pioneering bush pilot and safari operator who opened up the outback to countless travellers from Australia and overseas.
"He first offered 4WD adventures in 1965, later adding aircraft trips to all corners of Australia and other countries, from Papua New Guinea to Africa.
"He loved the bush, he loved adventure and he loved
Kangaroo Island.
Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Saturday, Jan 04, 2020 at 23:07
Saturday, Jan 04, 2020 at 23:07
We grew up in the same neighbourhood as
young people in
Adelaide.
He was one of my heroes.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome.
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Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Tuesday, Jan 07, 2020 at 20:23
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2020 at 20:23
Dick has a younger brother Geoff who was in Scouts at Enfield (
Adelaide) at the same time as me. Dick was 4 years older, but it is almost certain that his love of the bush came via the Scouts, as
mine did.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Jan 04, 2020 at 23:11
Saturday, Jan 04, 2020 at 23:11
RIP Dick and Clayton, and all others that have lost their lives in these current devastating fires Australia wide.
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Reply By: Phil G - Tuesday, Jan 07, 2020 at 08:25
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2020 at 08:25
Little response - I'm guessing I must be getting old and
forum getting younger and people never heard of Dick Lang!! I first started my overlanding in the mid 1970's and Dick Lang was a legend then.
His company Desert-Trek was the first Safari 4wd tour company in Australia - started tours in 1965.
Desert-Air was Australia’s oldest running air safari company. He was the first to fly tourists over Lake Eyre.
In 1976, Dick led the last great expedition across Australia to become the second ever to cross the centre of the Australian continent without tracks, a centenary retracing of Ernest Giles, who was first in 1876.
He was also attempted to water ski across Lake Eyre.
Some good old footage here:
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Tuesday, Jan 07, 2020 at 09:09
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2020 at 09:09
Eastern state people Phil would not know who he is, they would rather ask other stupid questions.
He was a great man indeed.
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Tuesday, Jan 07, 2020 at 14:24
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2020 at 14:24
.
I remember Dick piloted me a couple of times on very early trips to Moomba for Delhi.
As did
Nobby Buckley. Another great air pioneer.
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Follow Up By: Phil G - Tuesday, Jan 07, 2020 at 18:23
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2020 at 18:23
Thanks Peter, Stephen and Allan for sharing your experiences.
I guess I was inspired by what people like Dick Lang did to open up the outback in the 1970's and 80's.
I worked with his son Clayton leading up to my retirement - spent time chatting about his dad, so this tragedy is doubly sad.
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