BACK TO THE BUSH - BRIDGING THE DIVIDE

26 April 2006

OUTBACK TRIP PROMOTES REGIONAL & RURAL LIFE


The Governor-General, Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC and His Honour Mr Ted Egan AO, Administrator of the Northern Territory, in his capacity as National Patron of the Year of the Outback 2006 are packing their swags for an outback trip to encourage more Australians to cross the Great Divide.

Joining up with Year of the Outback 2006 Chairman, Bruce Campbell to promote rural and regional Australia, the party will travel in a 4WD convoy leaving Adelaide for Birdsville on May 10. From there they will fly to Charleville and Longreach where the trip will wind-up on May 16.

The theme for the venture ‘Back to the Bush, Bridging the Divide’, reflects the fact that 85-percent of Australians live within 50 kilometres of the coast, and of those, two-thirds live in a capital city.

The Governor-General says he will be concentrating on the many good things happening in the bush, the vital role of the rural sector in the national economy, new options for young people and urban dwellers looking for a change of pace or a fresh environment.

General. Jeffery who was born in the mining town of Wiluna, several hundred kilometres north of Kalgoorlie, will also highlight the tourism industry, growth potential for conferences and seminars, indigenous culture, water and the environment.

Bruce Campbell welcomed the Governor-General’s participation saying the ‘Back to the Bush, Bridging the Divide’ trip symbolically represents His Excellency’s return to Australia’s heartland.

“The presence of the Governor-General and the Northern Territory Administrator, Ted Egan will ‘shine the spotlight’ on this ‘Year of the Outback’, our regional and rural communities and the array of amazing individuals, innovations and wonderful attractions”, Mr Campbell said.

‘Youth infront’ is the theme for Year of the Outback 2006 and two ‘Ambassadors for Youth’ from Lead On, a growing community based program, will be travelling to expand on community based projects for people who don’t want to go to the cities.

The trip will also recognise the role of the early explorers in opening-up Australia’s vast inland.