Leadership Through Adventure Fund
NSW Rover Scouts 17-day roundtrip to the red centre.
Earlier this year, The Dick and Pip Smith Leadership Through Adventure Fund grant supported ten NSW Rover Scouts from the Forest Rover Unit on an incredible 17-day journey to the Northern Territory. The patrol traveled 8,000 km, crossing four different states (NSW, SA, VIC, and NT). They particularly enjoyed learning about the desert ecosystems and the rich Aboriginal connection to the land. During this adventure, the patrol explored some of the most spectacular landscapes, learned about the culture and its connection with the land, hiked some of the tallest mountains in the country, and shared breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, each offering unique and stunning scenery that was more captivating than the last.
The patrol’s first stop was King Canyon’s, where they took a short valley walk before setting off on the longer rim walk. The first 500 meters of the walk were challenging, but once they reached the rim, they were amazed by the spectacular scenery.
“We were greeted with breathtaking views of the King Canyon’s features and the country for hundreds of kilometres around. The ecosystem of the canyon rim was extremely varied, some parts were barren rock, other areas had plentiful shrubs and sparse trees, and we found crevices full of lush forest as well.” said Aiden.
One of the unforgettable beauties of this trip was the visit to Kata Tjuta. The patrol walked along a small stream between two of the giant rock formations. After reaching the end of the gorge, they returned to the Valley of the Winds walk. The Valley of the Winds is a culturally sensitive men’s area where photography is not permitted, ensuring the continuation of Anangu cultural beliefs and the protection of spirituality.
“The walk left an unforgettable impression on all of us with its staggering beauty,” Aidan said. “The valley floor was lush and surrounded by towering rock, the sunlight creating a rich, red, reflective glow in the shadows. The view at the midpoint of the walk looking out onto the distant smaller formations was also a sight to behold.” added Aidan.
Next stop to the Uluru! Uluru not only one of Australia’s most iconic attractions, formed from sandstone about half a billion years old with its unique beauty but also rich with Aboriginal connection to the land.
“We saw many cave paintings and learnt numerous dreamtime stories explaining how the rock came to be, what its unique shapes represented and lesson we could learn from them.” said Aidan. “There were also a number of sacred sites around the base where photography was again prohibited. These sites were exclusive men’s or women’s areas with their own special rituals.”
The patrol also visited the national park’s Cultural Centre, which contained a wealth of information about Uluru, Kata Tjuta and learnt about dreamtime stories about the surrounding land.
With part of the patrol returning home by flights, the rest visited the stunning salt lake in the RAAF Woomera Range Complex and had a brief stay at a roadhouse in Pimba. The walls of the roadhouse were almost like a pop art museum, covered with patches, memorabilia, and number plates from not just around the country but also from around the world.
Continuing on, the patrol hiked one of the highest mountains in the Flinders Ranges, Saint Mary Peak. The hike is rated very difficult and is closed in summer and wet weather. Saint Mary Peak is a sacred place to the Adnyamathanha people. Although photography is not permitted, the patrol enjoyed each other’s company while admiring the views of Wilpena Pound and the horizon from the saddle, not forgetting the spectacular view from the peak itself.
The journey was truly an amazing experience of a lifetime, offering the group an opportunity to build leadership skills, work together as a team, and enhance their problem-solving abilities. “Despite the days on end driving, I surprised myself by not once getting bored in the car, as we had far too much to be excited about as a Crew undertaking this adventure. Every single attraction we visited I’m so glad we did, and I absolutely loved learning about the desert ecosystems we encountered and also the rich Aboriginal connection to the land,” said Aidan.
“The stand-out attractions on the trip were the Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuṯa and the Saint Mary hike we did at Wilpena Pound. The natural beauty of these locations is legitimately staggering.” said Aidan.
“It’s immediately obvious when you’re there why the places are traditionally considered sacred, and I absolutely agree that they always will be. On top of all else, I’m immensely grateful to have been able to not only have these experiences, but to share them with my friends.”
In addition to all of this, the patrol was deeply grateful to have shared these experiences with one another. A heartfelt thank you goes to the Dick and Pip Smith Leadership Through Adventure Fund for funding most of the trip expenses and making this unforgettable adventure possible.
Source from Forest Rover Scouts and Scouts NSW – Click here for original article
Dick & Pip Smith Leadership Through Adventure Fund (LTAF) was launched in July 2022 by Dick Smith to provide grants to youth members or project patrols to undertake activity skills and leadership training, adventurous journeys and expeditions.
If you are planning your adventure for next year and you would like to find out more how LTAF can assist financially to the adventure, download the LTAF Application Form and email LTAF@scouts.com.au.
More photos from Forest Rover Scouts roundtrip below
