Surveying Instrument

This surveying instrument is known as a theodolite and was once a tool of the trade for contract surveyor William Rudall. Rudall would have lugged this heavy item across much of the North West of the State during his surveying and exploration expeditions in the late 1800s. Prospector Frank Hahn named Rudall River in today’s Karlamilyi National Park after Rudall, as a result of meeting Rudall when he was searching for men missing from the Calvert Expedition. Rudall moved to Jarrahdale in 1889 and became surveyor in charge of railways. He bought 100 acres in Serpentine to establish an orchard and dairying property but sold the farm after his wife died.