Friends of the Flinders

This summer, we've happened across all sorts of Aussies from all walks of life, and we have them to thank for having such a successful field season this year. Aside from the national park, the land we've been working on belongs to ranch owners who either acquired the property through government lease or own the land privately. It is under the auspices of these people that we are allowed to roam over the hills and through the woods to conduct some hardcore, rocking-awesome science. Generally, the people living around the Flinders Ranges are up to at least one of the following three things: ecotourism, farming, and coal mining.

Up in Warraweena, where yellow-footed rock-wallabies leap freely beside majestic gum trees (with orb weavers), Stony and Gina Steiner manage the Warraweena Conservation Park, putting the money made from tourists towards restoring the native flora and fauna of the area. Near Owiendana at Yankaninna Station, Paul Sander runs the Operation Flinders Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to helping youth at risk through a week-long wilderness challenge that aims to foster attitudes of leadership, motivation, and teamwork. Beltana Station, a vast property of 460,000 acres where we mapped breccias, was formerly a highly successful camel breeding depot, and currently runs camel safaris through the historic township from the 1800s, which has been preserved. The location has even been featured in several movies, such as Rabbit Proof Fence. Most if not all of the properties we spent time in were home to grazing goats, sheep, and cattle, which were all easy to spot as the only things moving with legs out there, other than us.

Leigh Creek, a tiny coal-mining town of 700 people, has served as our reliable resupply station for the past two months. Upon hearing 'coal-mining town', you might think that all the buildings would be old and rundown, but it turns out that thirty years ago, the original town was entirely uprooted and rebuilt a few kilometers away at its current location, so most of the facilities are actually relatively modern. The town has all the basic amenities geologists like us need: gas station, grocery store, public library, pub, Olympic-sized swimming pool, and let's not forget the Open Cut Cafe, which we always make a point to visit. Named after the open cut mine nearby, rather than a glorified tribute to deep flesh wounds, the Open Cut's toasty bacon and egg sandwiches and Cajun-seasoned potato wedges are a fantastic respite from our regular diet of vegetable and grain.

We've been extremely fortunate to work in Australia, not only because of the amazing scenery and exposure here, but also because of the friendly and positively gracious Aussies we've had the pleasure to interact with, all of whom having a genuine interest our work and the geologic history of the land. Thanks for everything, mates! We won't forget it.