Month: May 2019

Grounded in Truth Walking Together.

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Serpents Tongue, Ochre Point, Moana – Tjilbruke Trail south of Adelaide. Tjilbruke Trail info kaurnaculture.wordpress.com

Grounded in Truth Walking Together:
Friends of the Heysen Trail recognise and respect National Reconciliation Week – 27 May to 3 June 2019.

The Friends is proud to commence a process of re/learning stories of Aboriginal connection along the 30+ years of the Heysen Trail.

We respect the traditional owners past and present and respect their continued relationship to country.

The following articles from recent issues of the Trailwalker magazine outline some initiatives that the Friends are undertaking.

Reconciliation

Read about Reconciliation from End to End 8 walker Mark Waters.

A Shared Journey to Reconciliation

Mark Waters, then State Manager Reconciliation SA, gave a presentation to the Friends’ Council in December 2018.

Friends of the Heysen Trail and Reconciliation

Since Mark’s presentation in December, Council has introduced plans to bring recognition and respect to the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Heysen Trail passes.

These initiatives are still being discussed with Aboriginal Elders, Reconciliation SA and the Department for Environment and Water (DEW).

In her President’s Report of the last issue of Trailwalker (Autumn 2019), Melanie Sjoberg introduced draft wording for an Acknowledgement to Country which End-to-End groups can use as they traverse Aboriginal country on the trail. That Acknowledgement, while still under discussion with Traditional Owners/Native Title Holders.

The Friends also have formed a Reconciliation Committee whose members will meet with Aboriginal stakeholders, Reconciliation SA and DEW to discuss opportunities for sharing stories along the Heysen Trail.

The theme for this year’s National Reconciliation Week (31 May – 3 June) is Grounded in Truth – Walk Together in Courage. This theme has resonance for the Friends and all users of the Heysen Trail.

Heysen Trail closure through the Buckaringa Sanctuary, Friday 31st May to Monday 3 June 2019.

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Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby at Buckaringa Wildlife Sanctuary in the Flinders Ranges.

The Buckaringa Sanctuary will be temporarily closed this weekend. As the Heysen Trail passes through the sanctuary, we advise walkers to consider the closure if planning to walk in the area.

The planned closure is:

  • Friday evening 31st May to Monday morning 3rd June 2019.

The closure is because the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) will be undertaking feral animal control in the sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to many Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies.

The sanctuary is located between Quorn and Hawker. You can find it on map 6, chapter 4, of the Heysen Trail Northern Guidebook and on Sheet Map 7b – Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park to Mernmerna Creek.

AWC will place closure signs at all entry points to the sanctuary to warn walkers of the danger.

Animals are Cute, especially New Born Lambs

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Please don’t interfere with livestock.

We all know how cute young animals are, especially new born lambs frolicking after their mums.

It can be distressing for walkers on the Heysen Trail to see what look like abandoned  lambs, wandering along the trail.

It is tempting to “rescue” them! Please don’t!

Rarely do the mothers abandon their young, however if you pick them up, they almost certainly will.

Please leave all livestock alone when hiking the Heysen Trail.