Right to Climb

Seems the predictable slide in tourist interest has started... Read the rest HERE

This series of posts showcase the contents of the Last Logbook on Ayers Rock. Part 10 -FINAL: Cover and pages 171-188. Last July when I climbed the Rock with my daughters I left a blank exercise book in a container at the summit memorial. The front cover looked like this: The text on the cover reads: Signing the summit logbook has been an important cultural institution at Ayers Rock since the 1890s. Sadly, since the late 1980s Park Management have denied Australians and International visitors the opportunity to record their achievement. The first climbers to leave a note marking their achievement were Allan Breadon and W Oliver on March 4, 1897: “We added a few stones to the pile and left two wax vesta boxes (tins) with names and date thereon.” Glass coffee jars held the names of climbers between 1932 and the 1950s. In September 1950 the jars held the names of about 70 climbers. Formal log books, termed the “Achievers’ book”, replaced the assorted collection of jars and tins l...

We sent a letter to Sally Barnes Director of Parks Australia querying the legality of the climbing ban on Ayers Rock. On face value the ban breaches the following Acts of Parliament: Racial Discrimination Act 1975 :  The ban on climbing discriminates against non Anangu persons participating in the climb. Age Discrimination Act 2004: The ban effectively discriminates against All children participating in the climb (Only initiated men allowed to climb according to Tjukurpa). Sex Discrimination Act 1984 : The ban effectively discriminates against All women participating in the climb (Only initiated men allowed to climb according to Tjukurpa). Will let you know which escape clause they quote... if there is one.