1972 School Magazine

After spending nearly all our money on souvenirs, we went out to Simpson's Gap in the afternoon, and then on to beautiful Standley Chasm for tea. The second day we were at Alice, we had our thrilling camel ride. A few of us managed a very professional and assured smile as the giant animal, snorting with annoyance, jerkingly heaved itself to its feet, and after the ride, most managed to say that it was great. That afternoon, we went to the town's annual rodeo. As most of the events were buckjumping and steer-roping it was understandable that no wishes were expressed for a ride on any of the horses there. During our stay at Alice, we made two trips out to the old Alice Springs Telegraph Station where, happily for the teachers, there were lots of swings and round-abouts which they could amuse themselves on! We left Alice with regretful sighs but in anticipation of the most important part of our trip-Ayers Rock!

On first impressions, the Rock looked quite small and it was extremely hard to believe it wai six miles around the base. However, the next morning when we stood at the bottom and looked ;,iup at the climb awaiting us, we were quite ready to believe it was six miles _high! Our Olympic Maiden (Miss Vernon herself) with mountain-goat sure-footedness made the climb in record time whilst Teddy (Miss Wardill) stopped quite frequently on the way up to "admire the scenery". The rest of us followed oi went ahead (according to the various degrees of physical fitness) and at the end of the climb, it was well worth the back-breaking and hair-raising effort, just to be able to see the magnificent view of Central Australia stretching endlessly away for miles with the Olgas on the horizon. Also it meant we were able to buy 'I climbed Aye_rs Rock' Tee Shirts and badges. That afternoon_, after having rested from our efuausting climb and the more financial members of the trip had returned from the flight over the Rock, we travelled out to the Olgas. On our way back, we stopped to take photos olAyers Rock changing colour afiunset. Needless to say, we slept very wEll that night and the next morning began with the much-practiied routine tas.i< (at which we were becoming qulte proficient) of pulling down the tents and paiking- the bud in readiness for the trip to Adelaide.

Fage Twenty