Back to the Bush - Bridging the Divide

A Year of the Outback special project

His Excellency Major-General Michael Jeffery AC, Governor-General of Australia undertook a journey through the Outback from10th May. He was accompanied by  a special party including  His Honour Mr Ted Egan,  Administrator of the Northern Territory (Year of the Outback Patron); Ms Nerys Evans; Founder and Chairman of the Year of the Outback and AODC Chairman Bruce Campbell and his wife Beth and a substantial contingent of media and support staff including Fiona Campbell-Maybury, Manager of AODC and Market Communications Coordinator, Margaret Nugent.  The party also included two youth representatives, as the theme for Year of the Outback 2006 is Australia's Youth Infront. The travelling contingent was joined by Her Excellency Mrs Marlena Jeffery at Birdsville. The group  departed from Adelaide for their "outback odyssey' in a convoy of four wheel drive vehicles that, over a 7 day period, took them up the Birdsville Track by road and then across to Charleville and Longreach by air.

< His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery launches the trip at the RFDS Base in Adelaide.

His Excellency packs his swag for the trip >
 

< Bruce Campbell & Tom Foley

The first stop was at the Wadlata Outback Centre at Port Augusta >

  
   

The Governor General enjoyed the stop at Pichi Richi railway -the highlight was driving the Coffee Pot steam train to the station at Quorn.

  
   

The first night was spent at the Wilpena Pound Resort and was followed early the next morning by a walk up the hill to the lookout.

Margaret Nugent, Beth Campbell, Bruce Campbell, Nigel Austin, Ms Nerys Evans, His Honour Mr Ted Egan, Tom Foley. >

  
                    

< Mr Bruce Campbell, His Honour Mr Ted Egan, His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery.

                                                                        Brachina Gorge >

                             		  
   

< A stop at Razorback Lookout to take in the breathtaking wonders of the geology of the Flinders Ranges.

Keith Rasheed of Wilpena Pound, His Excellency, His Honour and Bruce Campbell. >

  
   

< Morning tea was at the well known Prairie Hotel at Parachilna.

The next stop was the town of Beltana.

Outside the Dunesk Mission, from where Flynn first conceived of the need for a flying doctor service and a mission to the inland. >

  
   

Being welcomed at Leigh Creek Area School

  
   

Visit to Nepabunna Community

  
   

Overnight at Iga Warta with hosts Terrence and Clarry Coulthard

Marg Nugent outside tents in Iga Warta >

  
   

Visit to Ochre Cliffs and on the road.

  
   Tom Foley, owner of Four Wheel Drive Hire Service, beside his own vehicle which he supplied and drove for the use of the Governor General. Tom supplied all the vehicles for the trip free of charge.  
   

Visit to the Farina ruins

  
   

The visit to Farina ruins was followed by billy tea and quondong tarts.

  
    Fiona Campbell-Maybury, making arrangements at Marree.

The Birdsville Track >

  
   

< There was a short stop at the Dog Fence where His Excellency met David Coverdale, the contractor for that section of the fence.

On Clayton Station, some of the drivers took advantage of the bore pool near the road. >

  
   

< Camping at Dulkaninna Station

Next day, a stop at the Mungerannie Hotel on the Birdsville Track >

  
   

< Monty Scobie discussing his legendary whip-making skills with His Honour Mr Ted Egan

His Excellency meets the Hammonds, operators of the Mungerannie Hotel >

  
   

< On the road on the Birdsville Track

The Governer General's vehicle passing through the sandhills. >

  
   

< At the scheduled stop for damper and billy tea by the Diamantina, the travelling party was joined by Her Excellency, Mrs Marlena Jeffery.

Overnight at the Birdsville Hotel >

  
   

< Dusk at Birdsville. The travelling group attended a community barbecue celebrating the birthday of Mrs Jean Smith.

Some of the contingent flew to Charleville for lunch at the RSL, a tour of the town and in the evening, a tour of the night sky at the Cosmos Centre. >

  
   

< The Governor General arrived at Longreach.

Greeted at the Power House Museum with local school children singing the National Anthem. >

  
   

< Their Excellencies spoke to children at the Longreach School of Distance Education.

Last stop before the return flight to Brisbane was the QANTAS Founders Outback Museum. >