Eighty-one year 7 to 10 students, five teachers, three parents, three buses, five drivers, three cooks and a truck full of musical instruments for the Chatswood High School Senior Concert Band and String Ensemble. From Darwin to Uluru, The Central Australia Music Tour was a logistic operation like no other. Spanning 10 days, over 3200km, the music group would travel to some of the most remote areas of Australia performing in communities along the way.
The first day set the pace for the remainder of the tour, with an early start, long flight and ending with a brilliant performance in difficult conditions. Students arrived at school at 5.30am on a cold Sydney morning and by midday landed in the tropical heat of Darwin where the mercury topped 37 degrees Celsius. There wasn’t much time to appreciate the bushfires raging around us as we rushed off to set up camp before an outdoor performance at the Darwin Entertainment Centre. During the tour, students also performed at Darwin Wharf, Tennant Creek Civic Hall and at Todd Mall in Alice Springs.
One of the highlights of the trip was the exchange experience with Katherine High School. Local students experienced a quick lunchtime performance from both our String Ensemble and Concert Band before friendly games of AFL and Indoor Soccer. Students even had the opportunity to sit in a music class and share some musical knowledge with the local students. Later that evening students had an outdoor public performance in the town of Katherine. The String Ensemble was lucky enough to be accompanied by a local indigenous didgeridoo player for part of their performance.
The students didn’t play to large crowds like they are used to here in Sydney. However, this was made up by the great deal of appreciation and enthusiasm shown from the local audiences wherever we would perform.
Throughout the trip we also managed to see some of the most amazing natural and historic sites Australia has to offer. From Kakadu National Park with its abundance of wildlife and massive crocodiles to ancient indigenous rock paintings at Ubirr Rock Art Site, a river cruise through Katherine Gorge and the very unique rock formations at Devils Marbles.
Throughout the trip we also managed to see some of the most amazing natural and historic sites Australia has to offer. From Kakadu National Park with its abundance of wildlife and massive crocodiles to ancient indigenous rock paintings at Ubirr Rock Art Site, a river cruise through Katherine Gorge and the very unique rock formations at Devils Marbles.
The final evening on tour was spent watching the sunset against Uluru before a relaxing evening sleeping under the stars in Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. By this stage we were all exhausted but managed to wake up early one last time to see the sunrise against Uluru.
Thank you to all staff and parents who helped organise this once in a lifetime event. Congratulations to all musicians for their excellent performances and outstanding behaviour throughout tour. Emre Mehmet (teacher) |
Spending 10 days away with friends. Harry
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My favourite part of this trip was the sunset and sunrise at Uluru. The sunrise was stunning. I loved every minute of this tour and I wish I could do something like this again. Casey
I like music tours because they provide the opportunity to connect with people both inside and outside my grade. I would never get this chance otherwise. The tour was special because of the many places we visited. I've gained many memories and experiences that may never happen again in my life. Angela
The tour had amazing features that I enjoyed greatly. I loved how the tour was a time we could socialise with other students and make new friends. It was enjoyable to visit places I have never been in my life, and share memories with friends. Lea
The Central Australia tour had many great activities and once in a lifetime experiences. The markets at Alice Springs were a highlight for me. The performance attracted lots of attention from the locals and visitors. Jeremy
The Central Australia tour was an incredible opportunity and an enjoyable experience. Learning about Aboriginal culture was interesting, especially the visit to the Art Centre in Katherine. Tom
The Central Australia tour had many great activities and once in a lifetime experiences. The markets at Alice Springs were a highlight for me. The performance attracted lots of attention from the locals and visitors. Jeremy
The Central Australia tour was an incredible opportunity and an enjoyable experience. Learning about Aboriginal culture was interesting, especially the visit to the Art Centre in Katherine. Tom
5.45 am on September 11th, and Centennial Ave was buzzing as 22 members of String Ensemble, 59 of Senior Concert Band, 5 teachers (Sylvia Marson, Gavin Staines, Sue Ward, Stephanie Sexton and Emre Mehmet) and 3 parents (Anita Justins, Jamie Kennedy and myself) loaded and boarded buses for the airport. Four hours later we were on the plane and soon after 2pm we arrived in Darwin to begin a wonderful 10 day trip through Central Australia. We were met by our fabulous tour-guides and bus-drivers Tegan, Luke and Disco who had driven up from Alice Springs with 3 buses and 2 trailers full of camping and cooking gear and roadies, Rod and Dennis who had flown up from Grafton and picked up a truck in Darwin for all our percussion and big instruments. You can imagine the major operation every time we moved places! First stop Howard Springs Holiday Park near Darwin where we also met Chris Gibbs, our tour organiser, and his gorgeous family.
After that slow introduction, tempo presto furioso for Darwin –Jabiru –Katharine –Tennant Creek –Alice Springs –Uluru . Camping in Big 4 Holiday Parks: in-tents heat and whew-midity, swimming pools and jumping pillows, staff patrol at night – Tegan, go to sleep! … 4.30am starts, lining up for seconds at every meal in the well set-up BBQ areas, hey! –wash up your own dishes, and remember to dry them as well!.., Over 2000km and 25 hours bus drive. Toilet stops with welcome ice-creams and coffees and emusing entertainment; hanging out for the next shops to get soft drinks, chips, Shapes or fresh fruit and carrots; drink lots, guys, dehydration is a problem out here – and we drank what we thought was lots, and then the guides said they down 1.5l in a 2 hr stretch on the road. ..no, James, you can#t go looking for snakes,…Cha-a-ats-wood, let’s go-o-o-!
Lillian Camphausen (String Tutor)
Lillian Camphausen (String Tutor)
The most memorable part of the tour for me was the Uluru tour and viewing. It is truly breath taking and inspiring. Absolutely amazing. Gabe
This tour would be a great opportunity for young CHS musicians to experience in the future. I certainly have 'a time of my life'. Lucien
I really enjoyed the tour; it was outstanding. One aspect of the tour I probably enjoyed the most was talking to everyone. Riley
This tour would be a great opportunity for young CHS musicians to experience in the future. I certainly have 'a time of my life'. Lucien
I really enjoyed the tour; it was outstanding. One aspect of the tour I probably enjoyed the most was talking to everyone. Riley
I loved hearing the creation stories as told by our three awesome guides Teagan, Disco and Luke. I also loved seeing the look on peoples faces as they heard us play. It was great learning about our Australian cultures. Laura
The sight seeing was pretty fun, even if it was a bit hot! Morgan
I had a fantastic time in CA but what I really enjoyed the most was the awe-inspiring Uluru! I also enjoyed the delicious gourmet food. The staff did a marvellous job on making the trip extremely fun! Gino
The sight seeing was pretty fun, even if it was a bit hot! Morgan
I had a fantastic time in CA but what I really enjoyed the most was the awe-inspiring Uluru! I also enjoyed the delicious gourmet food. The staff did a marvellous job on making the trip extremely fun! Gino
I enjoyed playing music and playing games with my friends. The best thing was Ms Ward taking photos of people sleeping on the Coach. Tommy
I enjoyed pour stay in Katherine the best. It was really cool to visit the high school and learn about the way they do things. Listening to an Aboriginal elder was amazing. I also enjoyed the performance we did that night. It was such a great atmosphere and we played really well. I was so glad we got to play for people who may not have heard bands that often before. Sofia.
I really enjoyed spending time with the kids at Katherine High School. Seeing them react to us playing music for them was rewarding. Xavier.
I enjoyed pour stay in Katherine the best. It was really cool to visit the high school and learn about the way they do things. Listening to an Aboriginal elder was amazing. I also enjoyed the performance we did that night. It was such a great atmosphere and we played really well. I was so glad we got to play for people who may not have heard bands that often before. Sofia.
I really enjoyed spending time with the kids at Katherine High School. Seeing them react to us playing music for them was rewarding. Xavier.
I loved this tour! I got time to spend with my closest friends. My favourite part was walking around Alice Springs and also learning about Aboriginal culture, which I found very interesting. I think staying at all the different camping sites with great people will be something I will never forget. Milla
The tour to Central Australia was an incredible and amazing experience for all the students and adults that participated. Although it was a tough and jam packed trip, it was great to share these moments with everyone. Evie
The Central Australia tour was the best tour I have been on. We saw some incredible sights. The scenery was great and never boring! The best part was the cruise along the Katherine Gorge because of the stunning sights. Ciaran
The tour to Central Australia was an incredible and amazing experience for all the students and adults that participated. Although it was a tough and jam packed trip, it was great to share these moments with everyone. Evie
The Central Australia tour was the best tour I have been on. We saw some incredible sights. The scenery was great and never boring! The best part was the cruise along the Katherine Gorge because of the stunning sights. Ciaran