The Lonely Expanse

Written By Julian S (15 yrs Old) - after completing a 7 day Remote Tour.

Red, like blood from a fresh wound
Like a moss enclosing a single boulder
The landscape fluctuates from the rising heat
Trees sparsely cover the desert

It's everywhere, an ocean of dry, sifting crimson water
Shifting, swelling, blinding, revealing
Like veins, pumping life into this desolate landscape
Greenery springs forth in unlikely circumstances

The sun, a harbinger of hope and doom
An incomprehensible, un-relentless foe,
The land is marked by it's burning wrath
Forever there is it's supreme countenance

Even within this barren wasteland, life flourishes
Ancient predators stalk the dunes, ever vigilant
Of their timeless domain
A solid reminder of ages past

The people of this land, they are connected
Like an infant in it's mothers womb
Though they are alone in this arid expanse
They share a bond with Ancestral spirits of the land

As I stand beneath the shadow of the iconic monolith
I begin to ponder
I am but an alien in this land, I do not belong
So why do i feel this transcendent peace?

Dreaming stories

Written by Brian Clyne

The Young man and the Grinding Stone

Long time ago there lived a boy with his mother, then when the boy was older his mother died, he then became a young man and he could hunt kangaroo for himself, then when he went hunting he found a small grinding stone, as he was hunting he speared a kangaroo. He cooked the kangaroo and sat down to eat the kangaroo. Then came a big storm, the clouds were black and full of hail stones and it was coming towards him. It started to rain, then the young man said "parturtine" and the little grinding stone turned into a cave. The young man went into the cave and he slept inside, he was warm and dry from the big storm. The next day the rain stopped and the young man got out of the cave and said "parturtine" and the cave turned back into a small grinding stone and he went hunting for more kangaroo and bush tucker.

The next night was the same, the young man once again said "parturtine" and the grinding stone turned into a cave, the young man entered and it rained all night, in the morning the young man came out and said "parturtine" and the cave turned back into a grinding stone. This happened for a week. Then one day the young man found another grinding stone, much prettier and lighter then the first one, so he left the first one behind and took the new one, then went on his way to hunt for kangaroo.

In the evening a big storm was coming, The young man grabbed his rock and said "parturtine" but nothing happened. The rain became stronger and the hail stones started, lightning flashing all around, "parturtine, parturtine, parturtine!" the young man said, but still nothing happened. The young man started to panic and took shelter in a tree, the rain poured and hail stones grew bigger and bigger and over night, the storm killed the young man.

You see the first grinding stone was his mother and she was protecting him from the storm and she wasn't ashamed to cover him. The second grinding stone was his mother in law and she didn't protect her son in law because she was ashamed of him.

The lesson of this story is to respect your mother and respect your culture. Always carry your mothers teachings and knowledge with you, don't throw it away like the grinding stone, your mothers teachings will protect you from trouble.

Steiner Students get “Cent-red”

By BEVERLEY JOHNSON

Now newly born Territorians, our family sits together in amongst the shade of the old gum trees, beside the sandy river bed at the Old Telegraph Station in Alice Springs. The two aboriginal women speak in gentle voices as they explain the symbols on their paintings. Each of us lay out a fresh, black canvas. In the company and guidance of these wise women we paint our own stories, reliving our journey and recent adventures through the great Australian bush. I first met the Mansfield Steiner students as they launched energetically from the bus at Tyler’s Pass look out on the famous Merinee Loop.

It was day four of a seven day trip across the red centre with Remote Tours. The independent company specialises in unique educational and cultural chartered tours within the Northern Territory. The Remote philosophy bases itself upon simple living, years of knowledge and close interaction with the traditional owners of this ancient land. A mob of twenty-three, hungry kids instantly set to work preparing lunch in unionism. We sat with our tucker on our laps looking out at the beautiful scenery surrounding Gosses Bluff, a comet crater some, 142 million years old. As the pupils spoke of their adventures at Rainbow Valley, the Kings Canyon and the legendary Uluru (Ayers Rock) I sensed the spirit of this powerful ancient land emerging through every child’s voice.

Remote guide Reg Ramsden is passionate about this mysterious, spiritual land. He shares a similar view to that of famous Australian singer and songwriter John Williamson. He describes Uluru, the famous monolith as a giant red heart and a Mecca for aboriginal people. “If every Aussie kid walked around the Rock it would really put them on the right track. It would give them a sense of pride that they may not have otherwise – a realisation of what this country really is,” so says Mr Williamson and Mr Ramsden. “Without the distractions of modern day living and limited access to shops, the bush camping has been ideal,” says Steiner teacher Morag Huggins.

“Remote Tours has been sensitive to our needs, and willing to change the itinerary to suit the pupils.”

Reg related to these young adults, his attitude to this special place and his approach to guiding is in tune with what the Steiner school is all about, she says. “The pace of the tour has allowed us all to unwind. We have seen so much in the centre, but never have we felt rushed. I would have no hesitation to recommend the trip to others.”

Surrounded by the breathtaking West MacDonnell ranges we made camp at the base of Mount Sonder. This is the final stage of the famous Larapinta Trail, a walk that stretches 225 kilometres across some of the most spectacular rugged terrain of Central Australia. It claims to be one of the top ten walks in the world. Whilst some of the mob unrolled their swags and giggled to each other through the darkness, the Steiner musicians strummed on the acoustic guitar. As we sat around, humble with the glow of an open fire and mesmerised by a chandelier of stars, angelic voices dancing across the mountain range.

Reg and Ringer tell stories of the dreamtime, creation tales of the local aboriginals. Their ability to relate to modern day experiences makes it easy for everyone to understand. Up at day break the following morning we begin to climb Mt Sonder. The climb is by no means an easy task, yet the breathtaking scenery makes it worth every step. As we reach the summit most are exhausted from the climb. We sit in a meditative state all proud of our achievement. “My knees are aching, my feet are sore and I want to go back to bed,” says James Whyte. “Holy cow I just climbed a mountain,” he grinned as he bit into his vegemite sandwich. “It doesn’t get much better than this, does it!”

A Wedge Tail eagle glides through the air above us, a graceful predator. Suddenly as I look up a lonesome backpacker has reached the summit to find he is not alone in paradise, instead surrounded by thirty climbers sitting in silence. Later back at camp it is our final night out bush. The Remote family huddle once again around the fire. Eyes sparkle as we listen intently to Ringer rattle off some modern day bush poetry. Singer and guitarist Maddy Nation continues to entertain. “This tour has been one of the greatest experiences of my life and I would recommend it to absolutely anyone,” she says. Angela Pitt agrees that it has certainly been “a trip of a life time.”

Ellen Watts could not believe how good she felt after climbing Mt Sonder, whilst Aran Maloney enjoyed the trip so much he “would do it a million times.” Ringer’s old didgeridoo became the message stick that night, whilst everyone sat in silence the group took it in turn to voice their favourite experiences throughout the last week. They spoke of their new love for the stars, sleeping in swags and learning about aboriginal culture. Even though Mt Sonder was a hard climb, all agreed it was worth it in the end.

The Steiner mentality related well to the surrounding semi-arid environment. Parent and assistant Nigel Watts reckons “this has been an amazing hands on experience. Reg has continued to drive home the importance of this sacred land.” The Remote guides laid back and adventurous approach is refreshing. Their quick wit and ability to get the group involved even when tiredness sets in is awesome. Admittedly, Reg did have to resort to a few tiresome dad jokes.

Charlotte Roylance has enjoyed the late nights around the fire, the great food and guides companionship that has helped to enrich an already magical experience. “I will definitely be back again,” she says. For Belle Thierry some parts of the tour were “hard and challenging, but the reward was amazing in the end.” Polly Ritchie believes the trip has been “a life changing experience.” The energy of the tour guides has been infectious and she admires the respect each guide has shown for aboriginal culture.

“The trip has brought our class closer together,” says Jessica Conway-Klusik. “I cannot believe I could do what I have achieved in the last week. This has been the best camp I have ever been on.” Teacher Peter Berenyi notes since being away there has been a number of new friendships develop within the group. “Steiner students are all very talented, the trip is allowing them to use their skills in new ways and build on their strengths.”

Each student was given a subject to research prior to the tour and has made a presentation during the trip. “We have been able to incorporate all aspects of the school curriculum from budgeting fuel costs and measuring food portions to geography, history and mathematics.”