Awakening from a rather long slumber in the desert....
Living and working in Central Australia (at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and the Anangu Pitjantjara lands) for many years has provided me with an amazing opportunity to learn about this special part of Australia. I have been working with the Anangu people for several years and learning the Pitjantjatjara language. In my current role as Guide/Pitjantjatjara Language Interpreter with the Anangu owned company 'Anangu Tours', I have nurtured and furthered my passion and understanding for the issues affecting Anangu. It must be stressed that I am in no way an expert in the field, but rather an interested observer in the political, social, cultural and health challenges facing Anangu people. I have developed many strong friendships with Anangu people and spend considerable time in the local Aboriginal community of Mutitjulu. Over the past few years I have witnessed constant political criticism and intense media scrutiny on the people of Mutitjulu.
Desert Stories intends to be a journal of my daily observations and thoughts on the many issues affecting the Anangu people of Central Australia. It aims to present a collection of life stories and historical reflections of some of the amazing people that I work and socialise with. The arrival of European people in this part of the country is still so very recent. I work with some incredibly old people who still remember the 'old days' here - before roads and resorts and busloads of tourists. Our impact on this area over such a short space of time has been significant. This site intends to highlight just how recent our impact has been on this special piece of country - through the recording of oral stories and information.
On a personal level, Desert Stories also intends to be a journal on my thoughts and of my daily activities both in the surrounding desert landscape and here at home in the resort township of Yulara. I am passionate about the issues affecting Aboriginal Australia and a keen (but often sad) observer of politics and public comment in this field. However Desert Stories seeks not only to educate, inform and offer opinion, but also to entertain and to present a snapshot of my life here in the desert. Central Australia is an amazing place to live and learn in - and I encourage all Australians to visit this place to see for themselves what an incredible culture and piece of country we have in existence here.
Thanks for reading!
Desert Stories intends to be a journal of my daily observations and thoughts on the many issues affecting the Anangu people of Central Australia. It aims to present a collection of life stories and historical reflections of some of the amazing people that I work and socialise with. The arrival of European people in this part of the country is still so very recent. I work with some incredibly old people who still remember the 'old days' here - before roads and resorts and busloads of tourists. Our impact on this area over such a short space of time has been significant. This site intends to highlight just how recent our impact has been on this special piece of country - through the recording of oral stories and information.
On a personal level, Desert Stories also intends to be a journal on my thoughts and of my daily activities both in the surrounding desert landscape and here at home in the resort township of Yulara. I am passionate about the issues affecting Aboriginal Australia and a keen (but often sad) observer of politics and public comment in this field. However Desert Stories seeks not only to educate, inform and offer opinion, but also to entertain and to present a snapshot of my life here in the desert. Central Australia is an amazing place to live and learn in - and I encourage all Australians to visit this place to see for themselves what an incredible culture and piece of country we have in existence here.
Thanks for reading!
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