We were asked by our American blog readers, "What in the world is in Alice Springs?" We thought that this was merely an outback town with not too much to offer. Were we ever surprised. 
This is far more than just the telegraph relay station that was established in 1872. There is even a Kiwanis club. 
The Telegraph Relay Station: 
This telegraph station is midway between Darwin and Adelaide. Once opened, this reduced the isolation of Australians from the rest of the world. Message exchange now took just hours instead of the months previously by sea. This was located near water, but there really are no springs, just a water hole. When we arrived, they were recovering from a huge rain that flooded streets. Normally, they receive 4 inches a year. This year, they have 22 inches. The Todd River, usually dry, had flooded streets in town.
What is usually very dry and arid is now lush and green. We are pleasantly surprised and will have no memories of the dusty, dry central Australian Desert.
We visited two other aspects of this town of about 30,000: The Royal Flying Doctor Service and the School of the Air, both as a result of the extreme 
isolation of those living in this harsh bush. The Aborigines, as well as those living on the various stations throughout the territory, have little or no access to medical care nor schools. Hence, the development of the RFDS in 1928 by the Very Reverend John Flynn as he desired to provide a "Mantle of Safety". He had the vision long before it became an actuality as the early planes were not equipped as ambulances, and radio was still in its infancy. 
Today, they have 36 planes, make over 40,000 flights a year and serve some 26,000 patients. Quite an incredible story.
The School of the Air was established in 1951 when Adelaide Liethke recognized that children living in the remote locations were lacking in schooling and social contacts. 
She believed radio could be used to educate children living in these remote areas. This is the largest classroom in the world--521,000 square miles or double the size of Texas! Children may enroll at age 4 1/2 and attend until 9th grade. Then they have to attend boarding school or enroll in the distance education courses from Darwin. Students reside on cattle stations, aboriginal communities, tourist facilities such as roadhouses, and military bases. 
The school provides all the equipment needed including a computer, satellite, printer, scanner, web camera, fax at a cost of nearly $15,000 for each family where children are enrolled. There are 132 enrolled at this time receiving instruction from the teachers in Alice Springs. 
The closest child is 50 miles and the farthest is 800 miles. Takes "home visits" to an entirely new meaning. The teachers do actually visit each student during the year. The curriculum is the same as all the other schools in the Territory and the students all test quite well.
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