So this morning we started loading the gear for the trip from the train on to a three ton truck which has also come up on the train from Adelaide and has only run about 300 miles. The load seemed mountainous
"> with all our personal luggage on top as well.
As the loading went fairly quickly it was decided that we should make an early start, so we got away about mid-day. Murch, Maurice and myself started off in front with the driver, with Albrecht and a mechanic (Course) going out to the mission on top at the back.
The first part of the trip was out through Heavitree Gap
past the camel camping grounds which seemed to be filled
with the beasts. A little further on we met a donkey team
"> which had
just come in from Hermannsburg.
Note: Albrecht's strategy for Aboriginal survival
Early in 1933, Albrecht thought it better that Hermannsburg community experience the 'wonders of civilization' as a group and a trip into Alice Springs was organised, some walking, some by donkey wagon, a few by camel. Many had not been there before and were keen to see 'The big fella snake', as they called the train. Alice Springs was a potent attraction. The government now handed out better rations than the mission could provide and town was an escape the work routines or community discipline. However, in the settled districts, all tribal organization was broken down. Drinking, prostitution and venereal disease were increasing and normal tribal and family cohesion was disintegrating at an alarming rate. Nevertheless, Albrecht felt that under traditional law such things might be accomodated within the marriage class system and the basic tribal organization remain intact. He felt strongly that if family life was not protected at Hermannsburg, the Aboriginal community would cease to exist.
Barbara Henson, A Straight - out Man F.W. Albrecht and Central Australian Aborigines,(University of Melbourne Press 1992) P.77-78
The load on our lorry started off by being too high for a gate through the camping area, so we had to rearrange the load. This delayed us a little. Almost the whole of the trip out to Hermannsburg was over sandy dirt plain, covered with mulga, good Mitchell grass and spinifex. Here and there were traces of a big storm of rain that had fallen a few months before. The foliage being almost luxuriant in these spots.
The road was fair most of the way, firm and good in some places and very bad over the rest. The main drawback was the sandy creek beds in which we managed to get stuck badly. The remedy was (continues...)
