A big thankyou to David & Bronwyn Sanders who organised the trip from 15th to 20th Oct '24, to Maitland (Yorke Peninsula) and Mt Serle (Northern Flinders Ranges) in South Australia.
The week started at Maitland where the group explored bakeries, breweries and beaches in the wonderful Yorke Pennisula (another great part of SA).
We thoroughly enjoyed the Sanders’ hospitality and a very enjoyable evening at the Rotary Club of Maitland, where Jessie Harman gave a presentation reflecting on her time as a Director of Rotary International. Thankyou President John Spaans for your clubs hospitality.
From Maitland we travelled to Mount Serle station which is located an hour east of Leigh Creek at the northern part of the Flinders Ranges. We arrived at Mt Serle in gale forced winds and 41 degree heat accompanied by a gale force winds dust storm –
conditions were not particularly hospitable. The wind had disrupted power supply to the area and we were treated to a spectacular electrical storm on our first evening at the station. The weather abated on Friday morning and we had excellent weather thereafter.
Mt Serle Station is a 500 square km (about 124,000 acres) former pastoral lease which has been returned to management by traditional owners. The Rotary Club of Maitland, through member David Amery, work with the owners to maintain the ageing homestead and shearers quarters.
A highlight of the trip was meeting traditional owner, Adynamathanha man, Terry Coulthard. Terry showed us ancient rock art and conducted a smoking ceremony – a traditional way of communicating to indigenous ancestors. David Amery has an association with Terry dating back 50+ years. David lived and worked in the area as a teacher and Anglican pastor. Visiting the area and speaking with Terry Coulthard about the challenges of the environment, maintaining viable populations and controlling feral animals (particularly goats) was an informative experience. Terry was very welcoming and thankful for the Rotarian’s work at the station.