Comments on: Alice Springs and Australia’s Invisible People

By: David Whitley (Australiaflightbargains.com)

David Whitley (Australiaflightbargains.com) — Sun, 23 May 2010 22:41:27 +0000

I did go to Alice, yes, but I’ve been before and I know what to expect. We had two days there and picked very specific things to do and see, so we didn’t spend much time hanging around in town. You see the same thing in Coober Pedy, Tennant Creek, Katherine etc.

We did walk home at night, however. I rationalise it – I’ve seen the scenario you’re painting before. It’s desperately sad, but threatening? I’m not sure – I tend to feel uncomfortable, not threatened. The drunks tend to be hurting just themselves.

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Sun, 23 May 2010 19:45:37 +0000

Thanks David. They are tough questions for Australia to grapple with (the same ones others around the world including the UK have struggled with): for how many generations does the guilt of previous generations last?

Paul McGeough’s report on Mutitjulu makes uncomfortable reading but paints a vivid picture of the fine line that those advocating intervention must tread. Like you say, well worth reading. Will be interested to hear what you made of Alice Springs if you made it to the town while you were in NT.

By: David Whitley (Australiaflightbargains.com)

David Whitley (Australiaflightbargains.com) — Sun, 23 May 2010 10:59:47 +0000

It’s a very complex issue, and one that we’ve been wrestling with all trip. Does a point come where you have to say what white people did was awful, but you can’t turn back the clock and go back to the way things were? Are the sins of the past be used as a way of not addressing the problems of the present?

Reparations vs responsibility, intervention versus indigenous way of life, tradition versus harsh reality – there are so many fine lines to tread. In the meantime, the desperately sad tales of alcoholism, sexual abuse, unemployment and disenfranchisement will continue amongst some sections of the Aboriginal Australian community.

Incidentally, if you have time, read this exceptional report on Mutitjulu, the hidden Aboriginal settlement near Uluru/ Ayers Rock – http://www.smh.com.au/national/between-the-rock-and-a-hard-place-20090703-d7sa.html. It’s long, but paints a great picture of the issues involved.

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 07:15:29 +0000

Thanks Desertgirl, it's been a while since we were there (December 2000) but as you way it's intriguing to watch the different people going about their business and I suspect the issues in 2000 and still the same 9 years on.
As for the heat, we found December too hot, so I hate to think what it's like in Feb!
Thanks again for stopping by and posting (I enjoyed reading your blog too!)

By: Desertgirl

Desertgirl — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 06:25:12 +0000

An interesting and moving account of the reality of Alice Springs. I've lived in the Alice for over 5 years now. It's a strange place at times. Intriguing to observe.

I have found the town to be very safe but I don't venture out on my own late at night without a car or taxi. Most of the hotels here advise visitors to use the taxis at night.

Your opening comment about "Alice Springs in mid-summer ..." makes me smile. We're only just entering spring here, after an unseasonally warm winter. I suspect we will be in for a very long, very hot summer. But summer doesn't begin for us until December, with February & March being the hottest months. Temperatures will regularly reach over 40C!

Cheers & may you continue enjoying your travels & writing about them.
DG