Nepabunna Day 4

Time I added another day to this blog. This is becoming quite an epic.

Day 4 was probably the best day ever. First we drove out to Malkiwi Gorge (spellings on this one seem to vary a bit), a very important site in the Yura history. The gorge has beautiful rock paintings many hundreds of years old. It is believed that this gorge was used at the route from the Northern Finders to the Southern Flinders area and the rock paintings were done by Yura passing through who wanted to leave messages about important events and happenings in the area.

Uncle Ron, Aunty Shirley and the two sisters Joelwyn and Julette were our guides through this very important area. The gorge is visually stunning and although we visited on a very overcast, grey day, the colours were beautiful and my photos do not really do them justice.

As we walked through I felt quite overwhelmed by the sense of history in this place - almost like being in a cathedral. I felt the same when I visited Uluru. I couldn't speak, just wanted to look. At one stage I turned around and Joelwyn who was normally a lively, happy, talkative lass was strangely quiet and introspective. I commented that she looked like this place meant a lot to her and she agreed that it was very special to her people and to her.

Makiwi Gorge is a restricted area and you can only visit with an authorised member of the community. We were asked to stick to the track and not to pick up or remaove any articles because there are many artefacts there which are being preserved.

The small rocks here are thin sharp pieces of stone that were shaped and honed to be used as cutting tools


As we approached the gorge we crossed this flat sandy area which was used as a camping ground. It is here that we found the cutting stones.





Scenes in the gorge

Uncle Ron talking to the group about the paintings and the gorge

A close up of some of the main cave paintings at Malkiwi

The morning in the gorge was the highlight of my week at Nepabunna and the area really touched me emotionally. It is a place I will not forget.

Liz

Day 3

Day 3 saw some tired kids - the ones who had slept out, but it wasn't long before they were up and raring to go. This was a brilliant day.

We were introduced to the oldest member of the Nepabunna Community - Ron Coulthard, or Uncle Ron as he asked to be called. Uncle Ron was born in 1931 and has vivid memories of the early days of Nepabunna. He is a story teller and has an incredible knowledge of the Dreaming stories of his people. Ron, as a lad, worked as a stockman with RM Williams who went on to fame as a producer of leather goods. He is a proud man, worried that the traditional culture of the Yura is slowly disappearing as the young people leave to take up lives away from their traditional lands.
Our group spent several days with Ron and his cousin Aunty Shirley (the old chick) and learnt so much from them about the Adnyamathanha history and beliefs. We came away from out trip enriched by meeting to this wonderful old man and listening to his stories. Mt Serle Station was the property on which most of the local Yura lived and worked until the 1920s when they were forced to move on. Most of them moved to Ram Paddock Gate on the Burr Well Station. They were eventually forced to move from their homes here as the station owners wanted the water for their stock. Mt Serle was leased to an aboriginal group in about 1986. It is currently unoccupied and not being worked and the Nepabunna community is keen to obtain the lease themselves. Uncle Ron told us that he visited the station a while back and met the CEO - an Old Man Kangaroo and then the manager - a large billy goat both of whom seem to have taken over the premises.

The Ram Paddock Gate Yura were moved to Nepabunna in 1931 where a mission was set up for them. There seem to be mixed feelings written about this mission. Ram Paddock Gate is now a heritage site and the ruins and artefacts can still be found on the site, though many would have been taken away before the area was handed back to the Nepabunna community.

Ruins of the cottages at Ram Paddock Gate. We were curious to know where the slate would have come from.

Our next stop was at Damper Hill where we heard a fascinating story from Uncle Ron. This site has been fenced off to protect the area. Several weeks ago there was a handover here and numerous people of importance were flown in for the ceremony. Uncle Ron built a traditional hut for the occasion.
Damper Hill

This hut took Uncle Ron about 20 minutes to build - a quick job to show the pollies!

From Damper Hill we drove to a site which is probably one of the most important for the Nepabunna people as it is the site for the Dreaming story about the magpie (urrakurli), crow (wakarla) and eagle (wildu). This story teaches about respecting your elders and has been passed on among the Adnyamathanha for many generations. The story tells how the magpie and the crow who were originally white were very disrespectful to the old eagle and he paid them back by inviting them to a party in the cave, then building a huge fire in front of the cave so that the magpie and crow were trapped and had to fly out through the fire. Consequently the magpie who left first was partly burnt, but the crow was singed so badly that he was black all over except for his eyes which are still white. The rocks at the cave site are very black from this fire many years ago.

Looking at Eagle hill from the cave

The cave in the story

Looking out from the cave

We finished the day with a quick visit to Iga Wata just down the road. Iga Wata is a tourist area, run by a local Yura family. It includes accommodation and an interpretive museum and they conduct tours of the local area.

That night most of the kids slept out under the stars and I actually had the dormitory to myself - no rowdy kids and midnight giggles and whispers!!!

More on Nepabunna

On the second day of our trip, we were welcomed by members of the Nepabunna Council and then taken to visit the local waterhole, then Vadhalina Gorge some 5 kms away. Our guide was a local girl - Joelwyn - who had been a pupil of our principal when she was a youngster. She brought her 3 year old daughter and 5 year old niece with her. They were like little rock wallabies, sure footed and quick. Our Year 6 and 7 girls instantly adopted them, as most 11 and 12 year old girls will. I'd love to show you some photos of the children, but unfortunately I don't have permission, so you'll have to make do with scenery.

It was the first time most of the kids had hiked in the Flinders and they had a ball exploring, climbing rocks and taking photos.

That evening we had an early tea, then a 60 km bus trip to visit an observatory at Arkaroola where there are two world class telescopes. That experience of seeing the night sky in the outback is one few of the kids will forget. Great excitement when we heard that there was to be a meteor shower that night (1 am ) and Garry decided that any interested kids could sleep out under the stars to see the shower. About 12 took up the challenge and saw quite a good display before the clouds came over at about 2.00am.

The country around the gorge. Dry and bare.

Approaching the gorge

Rocky walls and cliffs

The creek leading in and out of the gorge



I just loved this old tree. How old must it be with a base that large. Fascinating shapes and colours.

On Day 3 we visit some Dreaming sites and hear some wonderful stories.

Nepabunna - the first day

I have just spent a wonderful week on a school camp. 25 Year 5/6/7 students, 3 teachers and 5 parents travelled up to the Northern Flinders Ranges (just over 600 kms from home) to spend a week at Nepabunna, a small aboriginal community about 60kms east of Leigh Creek in the north of South Australia.

I have been to the Flinders before, but this time was special as we spent time with the local Adnyamathanha people, traditional owners of this land for many thousands of years. Nepabunna is very small and quite isolated. There are around 60 people living there in a very close knit community. They are proud of their land and their traditions and we are so grateful that they shared their lives with us.

My principal, Garry, was principal of the Nepabunna school in the nineties and he has maintained close ties with the community - they love him. We were made to feel very welcome and the locals were so friendly and hospitable. We visited traditonal sites, walked and climbed through amazing country, heard wonderful stories, shared food and songs and had a marvellous time.

We took literally thousands of photos. The kids all had access to cameras and they became snap happy with so many brilliant photo opportunities. Hurrah for digitasl cameras!!! Here are a few of the photos I took of the amazing scenery.

The Flinders Ranges through the bus window


These two peaks represent the two moiety groups in Adnyamathanha society - the Matheri and Arura. Every one belongs to one of the groups and traditionally a person could only marry someone from the other group. This area is called Yorrumbulla and there are a number of caves and old cave paintings here.

The view from the main cave

Near Yorrumbulla caves

The waterhole at Nepabunna. A favourite spot for the local kids. Unfortunately they are in the middle of a drought and the swimming is not very good at the moment. Nepabunna has very little water and the community has to rely on tanks and a very salty bore.

That's your lot for now. I hope you have enjoyed this glimpse of a very old and very beautiful part of the world. More later.

Liz

This and That

Weeks later, I am back on my blog. So much for good intentions. I just don't seem to have much to say - at least not on the blog. LOL.

Diet update. Still going well. I have lost 7 kgs and Don has lost 12kgs. I am nearly down to where I want to be. Don has another 12 or so to go, but we are feeling optimistic. The weight loss has certainly made a difference healthwise for him. The sleeping is so much better and he is feeling a lot better. One day we'll do before and after pictures!!

The weather this winter has been very cold and WET!!! Lovely to have the desperately needed rain - but, I am over rain!! We have reached saturation point and now all the water does is lie around and make puddles and quagmires. With the weather as it has been, the native birds are finding it hard going to find food, so I have been putting seed out on the lawn. We have always had rosellas, galahs, doves, finches and magpies coming down to feed, but this year we have had loads of lorikeets as well. Up to 30 of them at a time on the lawn. They are such glorious colours.

Ollie loves the birds - well, he loves to chase them. So far he hasn't got within metres of them, but we'll have to keep a watch on this. He has much more hope with the rabbits that are beginning to be a nuisance around here. We must have a dozen or so living in the back garden. Last week Mark was in his room out the back and a fox wandered past his door and stopped to peer inside. Probably attracted by the smell of food as well as the local rabbit population.

Ollie checking out another interesting smell

Liz

Wonder Diet

Feeling very pleased with ourselves this week. Don was told he had to lose weight prior to an operation, but we have not really had much success. Quite by chance I came across the "Women's Weekly 21 Day Wonder Diet" book in the newsagent and I persuaded Don that we should both try it. It meant following a 21 day regime and most significantly giving up alcohol!!!

Well, we started. It is a very healthy diet based on a low fat, no sugar plan which follows the Australian dietary guidelines quite strictly. The recipes for each meal for 21 days are all set out and a shopping list is included for each week. We found the recipes surprisingly easy and quick to make and quite delicious. You don't have to follow the daily plan, but can swap meals around, repeat favourites and leave out things you don't like. Neither of has felt at all hungry and most amazing of all - it works. After 2 weeks Don has lost about 7.5 kgs and I have lost nearly 4 kgs.

We actually look forward to each day's meals and have every intention of doing another 3 weeks. The alcohol bit hasn't been difficult to stick to, although we did break out a bit for Mothers' Day. Don is a diabetic and this has been no problem as the diet is suitable for his condition. Best of all the food would be suitable for all members of the family and once weight loss is achieved, could be adapted for a weight maintenance plan.

We both recommend this diet to anyone wanting to lose weight healthily. We feel better and know that we are eating more healthily - not that we were eating unhealthily - just too much.

Liz

Scatterdays - Autumn

It is some time since I have been involved in the Scatterdays - photo challenge , but now I am back to blogging, I will get my camera out and get on with it. This month the theme is Autumn and as I live in the Adelaide Hills, there are a lot of photo opportunities - without even leaving my own garden.

Here is a selection of photos taken in and from my garden. Enjoy!!

I love the colours in the Medlar tree. This year I plan to make jelly with the fruit.


My Nyssa sylvatica - Tupelo tree. Glorious rich colours

Pistacia chinensis - another brilliant tree - can you tell I love autumn colours?


Part of the garden showing off for autumn

Looking down the drive at a Viburnum opulus 'Sterile' - Guelder Rose


The next door vineyards are losing their leaves now and are just past their best.


Autumn is my favourite month in the garden.

Liz

Welcome Ollie

I am catching up on events of the last few weeks, hence the two blogs on the same day.

After Cooper died, our old boy, Jeb fretted badly and we decided that we - Don and I - would get another dog to keep him company. We sort of decided that we would get an older dog if we could and started looking in the papers. Last Saturday we found a young dog advertised - younger than we had planned, but he sounded like a good fit with us - a Jack Russell puppy about 5 months old.

Off we went to have a look at him. Of course the minute we saw him, we fell in love - as we always do with JR pups. And so Ollie joined the family.

See what I mean? How could we resist? Jeb wasn't sure at first, then he decided that maybe the young fellow wasn't so bad and he deigned to play with him. After 3 days he's not so sure about the situation. He plays for a while then finds a place to hide so Ollie can't annoy him.

Ollie on the other hand loves Jeb - in fact he loves everyone and everything!! He loves chewing things, he loves chasing things, he loves playing games, he loves being put outside to do his bits and then coming back inside to do them! He actually watches TV and reacts to what he sees and hears. We've never had a dog do that before. Very funny!!

Already he is making a place in our hearts alongside all the other dogs we have had over the years.

Ollie wanting to play - Jeb not so sure

Jeb, out of reach, but looking decidedly fed up with everything

Welcome Ollie!!!

Liz

Cooper

Nearly a monthy since I added to my blog. So much for good intentions.

I have had a very busy time over the last few weeks. First the end of term with all the usual and of term activities, then the Southern Cross Quilters quilting retreat for which I was a committee member. Check out the website if you are interested. Then the school holidays and a visit from my gorgeous grand daughters and my daughter. A very busy few weeks!!

My girls, Niamh and Erinn watching television

Sadly, during the holidays we lost one of our lovely Jack Russells - my son's little fellow, Cooper. Cooper will be sadly missed although he will always be in our hearts and memories.

Cooper was a sweet natured, funny little dog and we all loved him dearly. Mark will get another dog one day, but you can't ever really replace a friend and a companion - and Coop was certainly that.

Liz

Too Good to be True

Oooooops!!!!

After a night of celebrating our amazing and unbelievable win, we had a phone call this morning to say "Hold on a bit. We think there has been a mistake in the scoring of the Handicap Shield."

Sure enough, it was discovered that the computer operator had given us points won by 'the other' Lobethal school. So no shield!!! Lucky we hadn't already taken possession. I don't think they would have been able to wrest it away.

No matter. We still had a ball. Them's the breaks.

Liz

What a hoot!

Today, I took a team of 25 Year 5/6/7 children to the Hills Combined Schools Athletics Carnival. This is an annual event and although we don't have a lot of success, the kids are really keen and put a lot of time into practising before the carnival. We are only a small school and so practically every senior student is involved somehow.

Had trouble getting a bus to take us there this year, but finally we were offered a second run which meant we were late getting there and we had to leave early so the bus could do two trips. Not a problem; we sent a few over by car for the early events and coming home before the presentations is never a problem as we don't figure in them anyway.

So, today we had a great day. One of my Year 7 Vietnamese boys got a second ribbon in the Shotput as did one of the Year 7 girls. We also got a few 4th and 5th places which pleased us a lot. Despite the lack of wins, we had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed the day away from books, the fresh air and the good sporting competition.

We left early and got back to school, where I was met by the school secretary. She had just had a phone call from one of the other schools wanting to know why we had left early. We explained about the buses.

"What a pity!" was the reply. "You won the Handicap Shield!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Unbelievable!!!! We won!!!

"What does handicap mean?" asked the kids???

Liz

Great Kids

I am very proud of my 6/7 class. One of my friends is the principal of a primary school that was in the bushfire area in Victoria. Although none of the families from the school was injured, many of them had to be evacuated and they all lived through a horrific time not knowing if they and their homes would be safe. I asked my friend if there was any way we, my class and I , could help and she suggested we could write letters to her kids. She also said that they would like to take their children away on a fun excursion to get them away form the horrors they had been through.

I took all this to my class and they decided that they would try to raise some money to help the Victorian school finance this trip. They set to with enthusiasm, organising a non-uniform day, a sausage sizzle and a pancake day. Sure they had fun doing it, but nonetheless, they never lost sight of the reason behind their efforts. I am really pleased that we have just been able to send of a bundle of letters and a cheque for over $400.

There's not a lot wrong with the younger generation. They just need the older generations to have a little faith in them.

Liz Needle

A week of mourning

This week Australia has been saddened by the tragic loss of lives and property in Victoria and Queensland. On the one hand we have had the devastation of the worst bushfires in the history of this rugged land and on the other the widespread and catastrophic floods in the north. We are certainly a land of wild contrasts.

Our hearts go out to all those whose lives have been affected by flood and fire - loss of loved ones, pets and livestock, property and possessions. It will take a long time to recover from the events of the past week.

The one bright light in this tragedy is the way Australians have rallied to support and care for those whose lives have been so devastated. So many people has provided comfort, time, labour, goods, services and funding. It makes me proud to be an Australian.

Landscaping

I have the bit between my teeth now. I thought I would show you what my clever son has done in the past few weeks. The back garden has needed attention for a while, but we were waiting to finish some paving. Now Mark has paved the area, built some new back steps and landscaped the area at the back of the house, including two small fishponds which I have wanted for the past 30 years!!

The birds just love this area. They drink from the bird bath, but I am sure they think the fish ponds are really giant bird baths as well.

Seen from another angle. The steps and the paved patio area can be seen middle right.

The fish ponds - no fish yet. We are waiting for the cement to 'cure'. Check out the lawn. This is never watered.



Liz at Lenswood

Kersbrook

So much for my good intentions about keeping up my blog. But, in fairness I have been in Sydney visiting my gorgeous little grand daughters. Sorry I can't show their photos, but trust me, they are beautiful. I can show you their dog, Buddy, but he's not as pretty as the girls. LOL!




Gotta say he is pretty cute though.













Finally my eldest daughter Jo and her partner Steve have taken possession of their new home - well not new, it was built in 1849, which considering South Australia was only founded in 1836, is pretty old for this part of the world.

It is an old sandstone farmhouse on 28 acres of land - the house is in good condition and really only needs a coat of paint of make it liveable, There is a big rambly, run down garden full of old fruit trees and European trees, shrubs and perennials. Jo is a keen gardener and she will have a ball seeing what comes up as the year progresses. They have numerous fruit and nut trees - nectarines, peaches, plums, apples, pears, cherries, lemons, walnuts, mulberries, almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts and, weirdest of all considering we are in South Australia, 5 spindly, sick looking paw-paws. The plants all need a lot of work, but they are certainly worth the effort.



The front of the house with its lovely verandah














The back entrance

















Part of the front garden

Part of the back garden











Back to school next week. As much as I enjoy teaching, I am not really ready to go back. Maybe a ticket in Cross Lotto will do the trick???

Liz

Christmas is Done and Dusted

Oh dear! 6 weeks since I have even looked at my blog. How slack. Term 4 was so hectic, I was sure I would never get everything done. I can't recall being quite so busy and rushed in other years. I'm not sure whether there was more to do, more pressure or whether I am getting more disorganised and less multi-tasked as I get older.

Finally finished Christmas shopping a few days before Christmas and got the tree up - as is ordained by family tradition, it has to be big enough to touch our 11 foot ceilings - and it was.

Oops! That was last year's tree. Wonder where the photo for this year is. No matter. Looks much the same - just no little kids around this year.

Small group of 8 of us this year, but we made up for it with 32 to tea the next day - all family. That was a hectic but fun day. Little kids everywhere, with a new one on the way - another great niece or nephew in June. Very exciting.

One of the things Don and I got for Christmas was an iPod from Mark, so we can listen to our music more conveniently. I've had fun the last 2 days going through my CDs and putting them on the iPod. Now I'll have to persuade Don to learn how to use it. He tends to resist modern technology - more out of perversity than anything else.

I remember years ago in the early 70s when he was still teaching high school maths and he used to take his classes on excursions down to Adelaide to play on these computer things. All they ever did was print out long pages of words or make calendars and Don swore that it was a waste of time and computers would never be of any use to schools. Hmmm. Eating his words now!!

Off to record more albums.

Have a safe and Happy New Year .

Liz