Climbing Legends #8 A bear climbs the rock

Climbing legends
Series of posts celebrating climbers of Ayers Rock.
#8 Bromley Bear climbs the most splendid rock in the whole world

Bromley's Motto "Let's do it!"

In 1986 Alan and Patricia Campbell chronicled and photographed the amazing adventures of Bromley Bear in Central Australia. The Campbell's published this captivating tale in 1993 under the title: Bromley climbs Uluru. Uluru is the most splendid rock in the whole world. After some desert fun with Skye the Unicorn and his best pal Koala Bromley climbs the rock. On top he meets a Dingo called Kurpanga who shows him a waterhole and a safe way down.

According to the Campbells "Bromley, the outdoor adventure bear is the Indiana Jones of the bear world. Bromley is more than just a bear with a name, he is the outdoor bear with attitude. He does not sit back and dream of adventure, he is out there experiencing the danger, the joy, the fun of living an adventurous life." Bromley’s Motto is: "Let's do it.”

The book was sold at the bookshop at Uluru for nine years! About 40,000 copies were sold. In 2003 the Campbells were threatened with a $50,000 fine and told to rewrite the book by the Central Land Council and National Parks because the Traditional Owners found the book offensive. Fortunately the Environment Minister at the time Dr David Kemp, did not pursue the case. Kemp said in his opinion, court action against the Bromley authors was "not appropriate given the importance of principles of freedom of expression in our society".

We wonder if the same views would be held today! We highly recommend reading a copy to your young ones to instil in them the sense of joy and fun of living an adventurous life.

Bromley makes it to the summit.

Bromley Bear and the Campbells: Climbing Legends!

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