Alice Springs.

Alice Springs has the same problems as anywhere else when people cannot responsiblly control their alcohol intake.

Fortunately for you most of the inherent violence is directed towards their fellow community members and family.

Alice Springs Aboriginal communities have even gone to the stage of erecting fences and installing gates and you cannot gain access or remain in the compound unless dry and sober to protect themselves.

Kathy lived and worked in Alice Springs for year at the Novetal and cycled to work everyday at odd hours like 5am at night after midnight and never had any issues even though she went along the Todd River, but yes she took precautions whilst doing so.

I wouldn't not go to Alice Springs becasue of a TV show, l would merely take the appropriate precautions for your personal safety.

What is unfortunate it is not a new problem and l came across this issue of drunknesses and violence on my first visit to Alice Springs in 1978 and it was prevelant then. Government both Territory and Federal have failed to address the issue within the Aboriginal community, Government policies of housing, social welfare have actually contributed to the issues in my opinion and we have wasted billions of dollars funding Aboriginal communities on the bases of white middle class values, myths and social guilt trips.

If I wanted to visit a town, I wouldnt drive halfway across the country to do it.Basically you are going to drive thru Alice and do your sightseeing OUTSIDE the town/city anyway, so whats the big deal? Cross Rocky,Townsville, Cairns, all of Cape York, the entire NT and the Kimberley off your list as well, if your going to believe what you see on tv.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by crump

If I wanted to visit a town, I wouldnt drive halfway across the country to do it.Basically you are going to drive thru Alice and do your sightseeing OUTSIDE the town/city anyway, so whats the big deal? Cross Rocky,Townsville, Cairns, all of Cape York, the entire NT and the Kimberley off your list as well, if your going to believe what you see on tv.

---

Hear, hear.

I've been all those places bay Cape York and I'd go again. I've lived in Aboriginal communities - and Alice is along way from the bottom of my list.

There are a million reasons WHY there are problems, but if you are visiting, the main thing is - don't do anything stupid. Don't go places the locals don't. Don't pick fights. Don't try to fix problems that have been there since Adam was a lad.

I nearly moved myself and my two young kids to Alice - visiting isn't a problem.

I saw the show the other night. It is always interesting to see what sort of spin is put on your own situation / circumstance.

Having lived in Alice for three years, I can say that I have never felt personally threatened at any time while living here.

However, I can see that there is some merit in the issues brought to light in that report. There IS a big problem with "native" instigated violence in this town. The newspapers are always full of reports and letters to the editor. The local radio shows touch on it most days.

Just because it hasn't happened to me doesn't mean that I am not aware of it and therefore concerned about it. All I do is take the required precautions, as noted by other posters above. A little common sense will help a long way.

As others have also said, don't cross Alice Springs off your travel plans on the dubious merits of one TV show. While the town is OK and has a variety of touristy things on offer, the real benefit is the wide array of places to visit near the town (within a few hours drive).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mcrover

We did play a great game going out to one of the georges we named count the goon bag (the bladder out of the cask wine)

---

In NW Qld, the Coles plastic shopping bag with a corner opened out so the tap on the wine bladder can poke out, used to be known as a "gin's handbag".

I was in Katherine in January for a funeral, first visit for quite a while, and asked one of the rellies what pub we were going to afterwards and he said that whites don't drink in the pubs anymore unless they are GJ's or combos. The whites and mainstream aboriginals drink at the golf club, the Katherine Club, etc.

This was shortly after the imposition of a speed limit, and, if a snap election had been called, Claire Martin would not have survived such was the level of anger in the electorate towards someone who was already on the nose as an "abo lover".

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

Claire Martin would not have survived such was the level of anger in the electorate towards someone who was already on the nose.

---

I have lived in the Territory for over three years and know people in Alice Springs and Darwin. Not one person whom I have talked to about politics in the NT voted for her in the first place.

I have been to Alice 5 times on 4x4 holidays since 1992. Absolutely brilliant place you would be letting yourself down if you didnt do Alice and the McDonald ranges:D