Day 114 – Mr Steve

Warburton to Docker River

High Point: Visiting an aboriginal school in Warburton

Low Point: The heat. It was the hottest day in Martha so far today and boy did we feel it.

Quote of day: ‘Mr Steve’

Bugging FTFE: The biting ants all around our camp site

Night highlight: The stars at our remote camping spot near Docker River

Embarrassing moment of day: We needed a police escort as we got lost in Warburton – it only has two roads and no, I wasn’t navigator, it was a boy

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Arriving into a dark and derelict Warburton we thought this was going to be just another stopover, before another long day on the road. Like Laverton before it, it appeared to be a small outback town with only a few lights on to mark it out from the vast land around it. There didn’t appear to be much here; a roadhouse, petrol and a shop. It was on arrival that we had a chance meeting with the local teacher, Mr Linton, who was out for an evening jog and before you knew it he had invited us in to meet with the aboriginal children at the local school.

The next morning we saw the real Warburton, not the little part meant for passing travellers, but the Warburton Aboriginal Community. Driving through the community, we were greeted with looks and glances of amazement as they saw Martha pull into their town. Fire engines are very rare in these parts, the nearest fire station is some 500km away! Absolutely mind blowing considering the shear volume of space they have to cover in Australia. Full of anticipation we pulled into Warburton School. We were all aware of how privileged we were to be invited here yet we were all a bit apprehensive. We really didn’t know what to expect but had been told that the school children would be quiet and shy with us, so definitely not as outgoing and chatty as the children in Albany, or so we thought.

A group of the boys from the school came out first to look at Martha. They were very timid and were simply nodding when we spoke to them but with some coaxing from us and the Aboriginal interpreter, they were soon in the back and going for a spin in Martha. They returned, five minutes later giggling and chatty. Steve, the headteacher, came out to meet us and before we knew it the children were all sat around us on the grass. Arms folded and ready to listen the kids were then told about  ‘Mr Steve’ and what we are doing and why. The school children listened transfixed as they heard that the reason ‘Mr Steve’ was doing this was because he lost his daddy and that made him very sad and he wanted to do something that made him not feel so sad. Looking around the children, it was touching to see them listen so intently to the reason behind it all.  The Aboriginal community are very family minded and this was only emphasised further by their reaction.

After a quick walk through the fire engine, we were lucky enough to stay for break time.  It was here that the barriers came down with the children, as they became extremely tactile and playful with us. The guys played basketball with some of the boys whilst myself and Amy had acquired a following. The children surrounded us asking questions about the fire engine, playing with our hair and asking if they could come in the fire truck to London. After a quick game of Sleeping Lions with Mr Steve and the kids, it was time to jump on Martha once again for another long day on the road. We were cheered off with chants of ‘ Goodbye Mr Steve’ and kids running and waving along behind us.

How on earth did that happen?! We had wanted to experience the real Australian Outback but somehow we’d managed to do one better, we’d been invited into a community that rarely allowed visitors. Just the random luck of FTFE and Australia I guess.

Lou x

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