Women on the Rock: a letter to the PM

Dear Prime Minister,

Given your support for the climb up Ayers Rock, I am seeking your assistance in obtaining information about women climbers of Ayers Rock/Uluru. This is intended for a poster to be revealed next July during the informal Climb for Science event at Uluru.

Over the years women have embraced the climb which is a Men's only area according to aboriginal myths and superstitions. I'm sure you agree it's great that women have climbed the rock over the years and they deserve to be acknowledged. Especially the early climbers, who braved that steep slope without a chain. I'm sure you would also support the right of women to climb the rock in the future.

The first woman to climb Ayers rock is reported to be Beryl Miles who entered her name into the glass jar at the summit cairn in mid 1951 during an epic outback expedition. Details of her Australian adventure may be found in her book " The Stars my Blanket". One assumes this epic tome would be available in the Parliamentary Library.

A large group of women visited and climbed the rock in October 1957 as part of the Petticoat Safari. (see https://righttoclimb.blogspot.com.au/2017/11/the-petticoat-safari-have-yon-ever-seen.html)

Women have played an important role in celebrating and enjoying the climb over the years and their adventurous spirit is something to be acknowledged and recognised to encourage women to follow in their footsteps in the future.

I only have one question for you:
Does Parks Australia have a list of the first 10 women to have climbed the rock? This would be based on the visitors log, or from other information. If so can you please provide the list of names for our poster.

Best Wishes
Marc Hendrickx
https://righttoclimb.blogspot.com.au/

Comments

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