Climbing Ayers Rock gets featured in today's Australian...
Claims in this article by Sammy Wilson current Chairman of the UKNP that his grandfather Paddy Uluru was intimidated by former NT Ranger Derek are a load of nonsense and an insult to both men. If you read through Roff's account of his time at Uluru between 1968 and 1985 available through the NT Oral History unit, it clearly shows the two held great respect for each other. Roff was pivotal in closing off public access to the men's initiation cave at Paddy's insistence, and for facilitating the return of Aboriginal people to the their traditional lands and was entrusted with Aboriginal sacred artefacts. The cave was much more important to Anangu men than the Climb. Paddy said of the climb "the physical act of climbing was of no cultural interest". He was not the only elder to say so. Tiger Tjalkalyirri was one of the great entertainers at the Rock for many years, he acted as a climbing guide to tourists. He played an important role in the handover of the Rock through the 1970s and early 1980s and claims that he was "brain washed" by whitefellas are utterly ridiculous. He was a proud Anangu man. It's clear the current board are uncomfortable with facts that demonstrate past elders were either indifferent to tourists climbing to the summit, or supportive of it. Given that Tjukurpa, the aboriginal religion is timeless and constant, the current board are apparently disrespecting the views of past elders in closing the climb, and in limiting access to other features past elders were comfortable with tourists visiting prior to 1986 (the Kata Tjuta Lookout for instance, regarded by Charles Mountford as having one the best views in Australia).
If it's to be a National Park: it's there to share. If it's for the enjoyment of one group then it can no longer be a national park and the government must withdraw and it can run privately.
The ban is a year away. Without ministerial intervention it's looking increasingly likely that the ban will be enforced. If you have the same passion for adventure and enjoyment of the natural world as I do then write your local member or the Prime Minister and Opposition leader to voice your opinion.
Claims in this article by Sammy Wilson current Chairman of the UKNP that his grandfather Paddy Uluru was intimidated by former NT Ranger Derek are a load of nonsense and an insult to both men. If you read through Roff's account of his time at Uluru between 1968 and 1985 available through the NT Oral History unit, it clearly shows the two held great respect for each other. Roff was pivotal in closing off public access to the men's initiation cave at Paddy's insistence, and for facilitating the return of Aboriginal people to the their traditional lands and was entrusted with Aboriginal sacred artefacts. The cave was much more important to Anangu men than the Climb. Paddy said of the climb "the physical act of climbing was of no cultural interest". He was not the only elder to say so. Tiger Tjalkalyirri was one of the great entertainers at the Rock for many years, he acted as a climbing guide to tourists. He played an important role in the handover of the Rock through the 1970s and early 1980s and claims that he was "brain washed" by whitefellas are utterly ridiculous. He was a proud Anangu man. It's clear the current board are uncomfortable with facts that demonstrate past elders were either indifferent to tourists climbing to the summit, or supportive of it. Given that Tjukurpa, the aboriginal religion is timeless and constant, the current board are apparently disrespecting the views of past elders in closing the climb, and in limiting access to other features past elders were comfortable with tourists visiting prior to 1986 (the Kata Tjuta Lookout for instance, regarded by Charles Mountford as having one the best views in Australia).
If it's to be a National Park: it's there to share. If it's for the enjoyment of one group then it can no longer be a national park and the government must withdraw and it can run privately.
The ban is a year away. Without ministerial intervention it's looking increasingly likely that the ban will be enforced. If you have the same passion for adventure and enjoyment of the natural world as I do then write your local member or the Prime Minister and Opposition leader to voice your opinion.
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