Thread: Climbing Uluru to be banned from 2019

Originally Posted by rammypluge

So, they used to tilt up the rock, put their dead bodies underneath, then let it back down again?

It seems in Egypt you can even walk into the pyramids, which a lot of effort were put into, as opposed to a rock that just sits there.

I cant help wondering if before white man came along the aborigines crafted a bullsarse story to dissuade other aborigines from climbing the rock, because it was dangerous and did not provide food, clothing or shelter?

No medicare back then.

You really should do some study, that comment just makes you look so foolish, I'm afraid.

Originally Posted by Pickles2

There have been a few comments on this thread about the "Sacred Site" nature of The Rock, and that the entire Rock was not considered "Sacred" in years gone by.
A very good friend of mine Grahame Walsh, grew up on a grazing property in the Roma area of Western Queensland, & grew up amongst the Aboriginal people.
He subsequently became Australia's foremost expert in Aboriginal Rock Art. He published many books on Aboriginal Rock Art. He was also very knowledgeable on Aboriginal culture, and He received an Honorary Doctorate from Melbourne Uni for his work. I have heard it said that Grahame had forgotten more about Aboriginal culture than most people ever knew.
He told me years ago, that the Rock itself was not sacred, but that there were many sacred sites around it. When I traveled there maybe 20 years ago, we spoke to many Aboriginal people, but none discouraged us from climbing.
I know I've said much of this before, but climbing will soon be not allowable, & I accept that, so unfortunately a most (I cannot think of a word to adequately describe) experience will not be possible.
But I can only say that climbing the rock & experiencing the view from the top is one of the most memorable things I have done in Aussie, the memory of which will stay with me forever.
Pickles.

This Grahame Walsh? Seems like he wouldn't give a toss for aboriginal culture. Only out for his own glory.

Rock art expert accused of grave robbing

Charles P Mountford knew more about the aboriginal culture than Walsh ever would.

Aborigines Of The Sea Coast - YouTube

Originally Posted by bob10

This Grahame Walsh? Seems like he wouldn't give a toss for aboriginal culture. Only out for his own glory.

Rock art expert accused of grave robbing

Before you comment Bob, maybe you should do some research about him,......unless of course you think that Doctorates are handed out without any merit. Also visit Takaraka (not sure about my spelling!) at Carnarvon Gorge, created by Grahame.
I'll give you another example of how opinions can differ. We were on a holiday in Mildura several years ago, probably many years ago in fact. It was when John Howard was refusing to say "Sorry". You would no doubt emember that.
Anyway, we were holidaying in Mildura, & my next door neighbour had said that we should visit Mungo National Park, so we did, via the Aboriginal managed & controled "Harry Nanya Tours",...who are still in operation today.
Anyway, when we were on this tour, which, on this occasion, was conducted by three Aboriginals, who I engaged in serious conversation, ...as i do,.....and I said to them, what do you think of the "Sorry" issue?....They said, and I quote, "Martin, we're simply not interested, we're out here trying to make a dollar,.."Sorry" doesn't make anything to us,..it isn't going to make any difference to our lives.We not interested in John Howard or anyone else saying sorry to us"...their words, not mine. .
Really good guys. This tour included champagne in the Park. There was a bottle left over, so my Aboriginal friends gave Wifey & I the bottle to drink in the bus, on the way back to Mildura!
It was an immensely enjoyable trip, where I enjoyed interaction with my Aboriginal brothers, where we both learned things, about each other.
Pickles.

Originally Posted by Pickles2

Before you comment Bob, maybe you should do some research about him,......unless of course you think that Doctorates are handed out without any merit. Also visit Takaraka (not sure about my spelling!) at Carnarvon Gorge, created by Grahame.
I'll give you another example of how opinions can differ. We were on a holiday in Mildura several years ago, probably many years ago in fact. It was when John Howard was refusing to say "Sorry". You would no doubt emember that.
Anyway, we were holidaying in Mildura, & my next door neighbour had said that we should visit Mungo National Park, so we did, via the Aboriginal managed & controled "Harry Nanya Tours",...who are still in operation today.
Anyway, when we were on this tour, which, on this occasion, was conducted by three Aboriginals, who I engaged in serious conversation, ...as i do,.....and I said to them, what do you think of the "Sorry" issue?....They said, and I quote, "Martin, we're simply not interested, we're out here trying to make a dollar,.."Sorry" doesn't make anything to us,..it isn't going to make any difference to our lives.We not interested in John Howard or anyone else saying sorry to us"...their words, not mine. .
Really good guys. This tour included champagne in the Park. There was a bottle left over, so my Aboriginal friends gave Wifey & I the bottle to drink in the bus, on the way back to Mildura!
It was an immensely enjoyable trip, where I enjoyed interaction with my Aboriginal brothers, where we both learned things, about each other.
Pickles.

I have been doing research about Walsh . Doctorate? he made sure he had the support of the establishment, and endeared himself to potential financial backers. Indeed, he did the hard work, and put the effort in , but he made no attempt to understand the indigenous culture. He found the Bradbury's, but had no idea how to interpret them. To the extent he said some art depicting ships could not have been done by the locals. Even though the locals could have told him the origin, if he bothered to ask. If he knew how to ask. Most indigenous people outside of Canberra will tell you sorry is a white mans ' concept. Bought on by a guilt complex. And most will tell you the gubba just doesn't get it. And we don't.

...

I couldn't climb it now, let alone 2019. The idea never appealed to me any way. Better view from a chopper.

Originally Posted by bob10

I have been doing research about Walsh . Doctorate? he made sure he had the support of the establishment, and endeared himself to potential financial backers. Indeed, he did the hard work, and put the effort in , but he made no attempt to understand the indigenous culture. He found the Bradbury's, but had no idea how to interpret them. To the extent he said some art depicting ships could not have been done by the locals. Even though the locals could have told him the origin, if he bothered to ask. If he knew how to ask. Most indigenous people outside of Canberra will tell you sorry is a white mans ' concept. Bought on by a guilt complex. And most will tell you the gubba just doesn't get it. And we don't.

Hello Bob, Glad you did the research on one of my very good school friends, Grahame Walsh. It was actually The Bradshaws, not Bradburys, but I know what you are referring to.
Yes Grahame had several financial backers, and He needed them, and they wouldn't have backed him without good reason. Dame Edith Murdoch loved Grahame, knew him very well, bought him several Land Cruisers which He needed for his research, and He certainly needed good vehicles when He was as you say "doing the hard work",...when He sometimes would spend over six months on his own, in very remote lcations, doing his research, and supporting himself, and yes, whether you recognize it or not, conversing & relating to the local Aboriginal people. His work is HUGE,..literally thousands & thousands of images, and of course before digital, all on film.
You mention The Bradshaws. Another of Grahhame's ways of financing his research was to lead Safaris for people interested in Aboriginal Culture/Rock Art etc. Well on one occasion, one of his passengers was Maria Myers, wife of well known Melbourne based Q.C. Alan Myers,...well He took her to visit the Bradshaws which at the time were in danger, because the future of the property was uncertain,...so she bought the property.
Grahame was passionate about his work, The Aboriginal people & all things relative. He made no money out of it, his work simply paid for his research. It was not done for money.
Funnily enough his other passions were American Muscle Cars of the GM variety, and collecting WW11 Souveniers,..He had the biggest collection I've ever seen including some 3rd Reich items. He was also a world renowned authority on Japanese Samurai Swords,..He was a man of many talents.
Grahame Walsh 20/9/44 - 18/8/07
Pickles