By Ian Glover:
Adam Plate, who owned and ran the iconic Pink Roadhouse at Oodnadatta with wife Lynnie for close on 40 years, died last week while competing in Targa Adelaide. Adam was killed when his Mitsubishi Evo VII hit a tree and rolled three times. Motorsport was his passion, and he had competed in the event before.
Sadly, some years ago, his only son was also killed in a motor accident. Adam and his then girlfriend Lynnie Trevillian came to Oodnadatta in 1974. They posted signage and made the Roadhouse a ‘must-see’ destination for travellers to Outback South Australia. Adam named the Oodnadatta Track in 1980 to tie in with other 4WD tourist Meccas the Birdsville and Strzelecki Tracks, and put up numerous pink directional signs to make the region far less daunting to visitors. He and Lynnie also provided great hospitality at the roadhouse and both worked tirelessly to promote the area.
But as anyone who’s worked in the hospitality industry knows, it’s long hours and hard work, and despite their love of the Outback and everything the Pink Roadhouse stood for, Adam and Lynnie had been keen to sell up for some years now, planning to go to Adelaide for a quieter life.
Adam is survived by Lynnie and three daughters – Alice, Tilly and Ruby. We wish them our sincerest condolences.
