Centre Australia comprises the Northern Territory’s immense, ancient outback and the heart of the Australian continent. Lying in the heart of Central Australia, nestled between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges is Alice Springs, Australia’s most famous outback town. Alice is the product of 19th century pioneers who opened up Australia’s interior.
500 kms north of Alice Springs is Tennant Creek, a mining tent-town gazetted in 1934, following the last great gold rush of Australia.
126 kms west of Alice Springs is the Hermannsburg Historic Precinct. The Hermannsburg Lutheran Mission was one of the early towns in Central Australia; it was also the home of the famous Aboriginal artist, Albert Namatjira.
Alice Springs is home to many places of cultural and spiritual significance for its traditional owners, the Arrernte people (also referred to as Aranda, Arrarnta, Arunta). Aboriginal people are the original custodians of Australia and are widely regarded as the earth’s oldest living culture, having lived in the continent for more than 40,000 years.
The Dreamtime is the Aboriginal understanding of the world, of its creation, and its great stories. The Dreamtime is the beginning of knowledge, from which came the laws of existence. For survival these laws must be observed.
The Red Centre Collective was written between 10-17 May 2008 and is dedicated to Matthew Ryan.
Ian Row
Sources:
Central Australia: Holiday & Visitor Guide 2008/2009 (published by Tourism Central Australia)
Tennant Creek -The Barkly Region: Visitor Guide 2007 (published by Barkly Tourism)
www.aboriginalart.com.au
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