July 1966 School Magazine

I I, I: I I ' I

July, 1966

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

July, 1966

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

A little more than two hundred miles from Kalgoorlie, a dark line of timber appeared on the horizon, marking the western fringe of the limestone plain, and continued to within sight of the city of goldfields-Kalgoorlie, or "Kalgurlie" as the local inhabitants affectionately call it. This town is absolutely steeped in history. A two-hour tour of the city and the " golden mile" gave us the feeling that we had actually re-lived the events of history; the heat of the midday sun was mercilessly scorching the little town as it did seventy years before, and still does today. "The Westland" left Kalgoorlie not long afterwards taking us on the last phase of our journey-the following morning we would arrive in Perth. Perth held everything which I had expected of it-and more. It is indeed a city of gracious charm and hospitality and a visitor could not help being impressed by the spacious atmosphere and the abundance of sunshine-both in the climate and the attitude of the people. The National Christian Youth Convention itself provided a most stimulating and extremely interesting week. There were approximately two thousand delegates present in all . These included visitors from eleven overseas countries , and delegates from all over Australia . The theme of the Convention was "Come To Life" and we truly fulfilled this aim. My mind goes back to some extremely lively discussions which we enjoyed in groups which represented many different colours and creeds. Perhaps the greatest thing which was proved during this Con- vention was the fact that , given the opportunity, young people of different races may learn to love and respect each other for what they are. We found that a common love for Jesus Christ was a wonderful and sure base on which to start building this friendship and understanding between nations . ' So, in a sense my journey to the West was completed, and my objective for travelling to Perth fulfilled; but to me this trip to the West never really ended; it still lives on within me in an unmistakable way. It was a truly wonderful experience, and I am fully con- vinced that one does not have to travel out of Australia to view glorious countryside; or look any further than our own country to find wonderful, friendly people - we have a wonderful country in AuFtralia. Let us appreciate the fact. - M. REA, VIE, England House.

did the city of A&laide itself . Completely surrounded by hills and the sea, the city gives forth a feeling of friendliness and home- liness which is very attractive. The Torrens River, its banks bearing pretty parklands and gardens, adds a feeling of coolness and freshness to the city which may be at certain times quite hot and dusty. After we left Adelaide, the scenery showed evidence of a fairly dry climate except where irrigation was in progress. On reaching Port Pirie we changed trains ready to embark on the "Trans- Australian" journey, which includes the crossing of the Nullabor Plain to Kalgoorlie. The "Trans-Australian" journey is an absolutely fascinating experience. Although it does not offer scenic grandeur this vast primitive country has an inexhaustible supply of specta;ular sight~ which make the journey alive with interest. From Port Pirie Junction the express sped northward between Spencer Gulf and the slopes of the Flinders Range. A few miles from Port Augusta we skirted the head of the Gulf and turned westward, following strange flat-topped hills which stand out like islands in a sea of myall and mulga scrub . As the hills faded into the blue distance, we entered the fantastic "lake" country through chains of vast flat pans of glistening salt. ' Soon we approached the great expanse of the Nullarbor proper. Extending for four hundred and twenty miles, this enor- mous limestone plain is completely devoid of trees-aptly named the "Nullarbor". Animal life on the plain is extensive and varied. For example we noticed dingos, kangaroos, wallabies rabbits and many birds. The ghostly coloured bluebush and 'the saltbush cover almost the whole surface of the plain while underneath it is full of caverns and subterranean passage~. It was thrilli~g to realize that in travelling over this plain we were travelling over the longest stretch of straight railway track in the world-three hundred miles across the Nullarbor without a single curve in the whole distance. It is difficult to fathom in one's mind the vastness of this plain until one is told that in fact this broad limestone plain covers an area greater than that covered by the whole State of Victoria. It is equally hard to imagine the time long ago when the sea rolled where the plain now stretches. However, the facts remain, and Australia may be proud to possess such an outstanding and fascinating product of nature .

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