Australian Outback

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In Australia we have School Of The Air, children on remote cattle station, sheep stations, wheat farms who do not go to a school, they are tutored at home and attend lessons by High Frequency radio, I have one in my 4WD to connect with other vehicles, police, flying doctor service and more.

It's Christmas time, dry and hot here, remote areas high 30sC every day, it's normal for summer.

So the children were asked on HF radio about Christmas and Santa Claus. One delightful young person replied that Santa would arrive in a GMH truck towed by Emu. She wants a Pony and when asked how the Pony would fit into the truck she answered that her Pony would help the Emu to tow the truck.

Her brother's wish list, he said, was too long to discuss but included a helmet for when he was riding his Trike, and many other wish list items.

These children live a remote area life many of us cannot imagine, I know because I go there, next time February 2013.

Imagine champion trotting race horses trained alongside a Toyota 4WD truck harnesses attached to outboard frames.

Imagine shearers removing wool from sheep in shearing sheds.

Imagine combine harvesters gathering wheat.

Imagine helicopters herding cattle.

My Australia.

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Your Australia sounds great and you SHOULD be proud of her.

[Sir John]

Prem,

I visited the 'Anna Creek Station' homestead in far north of South Australia. It is the largest cattle station on the planet at about 30,000 square KILOMETRES. (almost as big as Texas! and 5 times as big as King Ranch) ;-)

In the middle of the complex was a neat building of about 25' by 25' and it was open. I went in and had a look, and it had a series of desks, about 6 I think, around the walls and each had a computer and a radio etc. I doubt the radio got much use as in the old days of 'peddle radio', but the entire computer system was hooked up via satellite to the 'School of the Air in "the Alice" - Alice Springs.

Neat as a pin it was.


SJ

[Sir John]

PS, The helicopter mustering was an American idea from ex Vietnam chopper pilots.

[Deleted]

Sir John friends who have a very large property at Louth NSW, when the brothers were in their twenties in the 1970s, had three Cessna single engine aircraft they used for transport but also for on farm work like a 4WD truck that flies. And two Hughes helicipters they did contract beef cattle mustering with. They would get them serviced in Cootamundra NSW and stay with other friends on their sheep-wheat property and then via Louth fly to Western Australia. The helicopters had a wire basked on the landing skid passenger side into which was fastened a 44 gallon drum of Avgas and they would land on properties along the way, even be provided a bed for the night when needed.

I very much enjoy Outback life and properties.

[Deleted]

Dec 22, 2012 14:57:58 GMT -5 @kylenedenny said:

Your Australia sounds great and you SHOULD be proud of her.

Denny most Australians are proud of their country but unfortunately most never get to visit the Outback because the population centres are mostly around the coastline. The further west from the east coast you travel the drier it becomes and the fewer head of beef cattle or sheep per acre can be carried. There are too many feral or introduced pests ranging from domestic cats gone wild and dogs that mix with the native Dingo dog and become ferocious killers, feral Buffalo, Goats, Pigs, Camels, Horses or Brumbies as they are called as well as native animals such as Emu and Kangaroo/Wallaby and snakes, some deadly. And of course the extremely dangerous saltwater Crocodile and not so dangerous fresh water Croc (they still bite and do damage).

I once got chased in my 4WD by an angry Bull Camel when I drove into his territory and herd, he didn't catch my vehicle.

So farmers usually carry a weapon or two around in their vehicle while working on their property.

It is a land of wide open plains, deserts and interesting to see but the coastal areas offer great beaches and other attractions.

Accessed from my State New South Wales or from Sir John's State of Victoria is the Snowy Mountains and where our ski fields are located. Friends of mine on the Victoria side are mountain beef cattlemen who used to herd their cattle into the mountain region during Summer but the Greens have managed to have them stopped. But a friend I stay with from time to time is a farrier, he puts shoes on horses and does other jobs like teeth filing. And he breaks Horses in. He and friends of his regularly catch wild Brumbies in the Mountains and break then in to sell, beautiful Horses. And he does it gently after first gaining their trust and working on their natural curiosity.