This morning we went to school…. The School of the Air to be
exact. The school of the air is the way
kids in the remote areas of the N.T. receive their education. The school yard is 1.3 million square
kilometres, and approximately 104 students, up to year 9.
When the service started it was operated using the same
radio network used by the RFDS.
Initially it was the teacher speaking to the students, without the
students being able to speak back.
Today the school utilises the most up to date network via the internet,
so that the kids may participate in classes in real time.
The students have a get together 3 times a year in Alice
Springs, which gives the kids a chance to meet, talk and play with their
classmates, some of whom may live up to 2,000 km apart.
This afternoon we took a drive out to Chambers Pillar, a
magnificent natural stone edifice, discovered by Charles Stuart, and utilised as
an important waypoint for many explorers and pioneers that followed.
On the way to Chambers Pillar we took part in the Finke
Desert Race……well we drove part of the track and dodged a few of the
participants. The Finke Desert Race is
one of the most gruelling on the calendar.
Competitors race motorbikes, quadbikes, cars, buggies and trucks from
Alice Springs to Finke and back, about 425 km.
It is no wonder that Chambers Pillar was used as a landmark by so many, it is pretty hard to miss.
Many early visitors left their mark on the pillar, including John Ross, who was one of the advance party for the overland telegraph.
And it was well worth the 340 km round trip, when you see sunsets like this....
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