James Valentine presents us with an opinion piece that is quite simple and obvious, yet periodically journalists need to reiterate it. For some reason humans continue to defy their own evolution and embrace labour saving devices to their detriment. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-07-03/28516
Category Archives: australia
If You Know Bourke You Know Australia
I WAS in Bourke, New South Wales – the outback, that most powerful of Australian words – the edge of the world, where the unknown begins. I was having a break from writing Cold Light and I had my backpack and gear with me, intending to do a trek in that hard country, maybe to look at a geological oddity called Mount Gunderbooka, about sixty kilometres south-west of the dwindling township of Bourke. The mountain name carried within it the word ‘book’.
Guide Alice: Podcast
This post will interest Victorians with its plot based around Mt Buffalo in Victoria’s high country.
Australian Alps Walking Track
Moving at Pace I see no value in planning a journey, short or long, and then attempting to complete it as fast as possible. The journey is the gift. That being said, it is ironic that I like to read about such human endeavours, and I do respect the mental and physical resolve one mustContinue reading “Australian Alps Walking Track”
Arthur Barrett – Victoria’s First Walker
Tim Erikson of the Victorian Race Walking Club has done significant work in documenting the history of competitive walking in the state of Victoria. This Original article deals with Arthur Barrett and his 1893 walk from Melbourne to Sorrento. On the afternoon of 25th January, 1893, 1 was standing on Princes Bridge in a highlyContinue reading “Arthur Barrett – Victoria’s First Walker”
Eucalyptus Mythbusting
Understanding what is in our backyard. One of the sacraments for the Order of Walkers is Topophilia. We are always looking to hone our botanical skills. Dr Dean Nicolle busts common eucalyptus myths. I commend this piece to the Order.
Walking as a Spiritual Practise
In reality, walking is about the slowest form of movement we can imagine. For the philosopher Frédéric Gros, “walking is the best way to go more slowly than any other method that has ever been found.” It is certainly not preferred by the driven or the busy; walking stands resolutely apart from things that propel. Commonly it’s the priorities of productivity and efficiency that overrule walking as dead or wasted time. Even the term pedestrian reeks of the dull and unmotivated. Regardless, the act of walking remains a very human one. It is an act of the spirit. For as long as human beings have inhabited this earth walking has been an act of longing and aspiration: we have walked to find home; we have walked in spiritual pilgrimage; we have walked to celebrate, to protest, and to commemorate; we have walked as a form of rest and recreation, and in pursuit of better health; we have walked to discover new worlds, to conquer new heights, and even to pray.
Picking up sticks
Scratch your head, ponder a while. Make of it what you will. I have two issues with this media release. If you look closely at the image there are some incredibly large lumps of wood which are clearly not walking sticks. There are also a lot of really poor looking sticks in the pile whichContinue reading “Picking up sticks”
Island Lagoon
This story is sourced from Bushwalk Australia Magazine. Nick Gleeson presents us with a very personal account of a three day solo trip across Island Lagoon in Mid South Australia. I commend it to the Order. Nick Gleeson Island Lagoon
The Further One Goes
As the car made its way up the tarmac ribbon that runs from Harrietville to the top of Mt Hotham, the setting sun filtered its way through the trees. One of the intrepid hikers aboard took a moment to enjoy the comfort he would leave behind for the next few days. He closed his eyesContinue reading “The Further One Goes”
