Well although this morning was freezing we managed to pull together for the last time and pack up our tents and pack them up properly to help stu and dianne out. We huddled together to keep warm and make our own sandwiches for lunch and have breakfast. Although a bit later than expected we hit the road again with dianne at the wheel. Due to our early start a Nanna nap was well deserved. Our final aerobics class woke us up from our slumber.

Then we came to the best Of the vest ceremony. Everyone in the group voted who they felt deserved the over all best all rounder. Alex d won it for the boys Suzie won it for the girls and Emily won it for the leaders.

We stopped at a little town called Harden for morning tea. Before we stopped for lunch we spent some time writing affirmations for everyone in the group. We stopped at Goulburn for lunch and ate the sandwiches we had made our selves this morning as well as enjoying a piece of carrot cake. Back on the bus for the last time.

For the remainder of the pilgrimage the group had the opportunity to share their highlights and significant moments as well as thanks those they wanted to thank. We filled out some feedback sheets and then sat back and enjoyed the company of each other for the last time. Many of the group were moved as they read their affirmations some having recieved such positive feedback that they have never been told before. We said good bye to Jake and Alex as we dropped them off on our way home near their homes in the southern highlands. When we reached St Marys there was a loud cheer as we had made it.

We woke up this morning to a chilly morning. But we did get to sleep in for half an hour! We packed up our tents and bags as usual. With breakfast eaten and the bus packed we were on our way again. Only after after a short time we were off the bus again for a photo stop at the Vic NSW border.

Back on the bus we did not miss our Nanna nap getting twelve extra minutes to sleep. Before long the music was playing and our aerobic routine had started again. The last day of our gold plate awards and vest honour with Nicole and Alex G finally recieving the honour.

We stopped at some little town with a park and petrol station for morning tea. The play equipment was put to use as most of the group exerted their energy. Back on the bus we got to know a few more people better through ‘this is our life’.

We stopped at Hay for lunch and were warmly welcomed by this cute little lady dog named bella. We ate our sandwiches and soon had the last chance to meet in our small groups and share what it means for us to go home.

We were back on the bus and more games kept us amused till we reached Griffith. Well we were all excited knowing this was the last time we would put up our tents up! With this done it was not long before the remainder of our energy was being used to play gladiators or playing a game of cards. Our last dinner of chicken noodle soup steak and Vegies and cake for desert. We were soon running around playing jail break and smuggler two of our favourite games throughout the pilgrimage. Things finally wound up as we huddled together and shared together for the last time.

Today we farewelled Heather Menzies our faithful festival and resources coordinator. Our team made up of 19 is now down to the last 7.

We also said good-bye to our fridge, 2 of our 5 caravans, our 2 stoves as well as our kitchen sink! A day full of of finale returns and packing vechiles ready for the drive home. The last pieces of our marquee was also packed in the van, ready to make its return to Tasmania. Many more thank yous, farewells and hugs as we continue to catch up with everyone who has help to enrich our program in the local communities.

While helping to move the fridge into storage Chris’s hand lent against some sharp alumilium. A trip to the medical centre gave him 5 stiches.

Our red van also had an adventure. On the journey back to camp from returning a caravan, the engine stopped. The cause, local mechanic says was due to faulty local petrol!  So glad this discovery was made today, not on the road home!
Tomorrow the remainder of base camp leave, some flying, others driving.

Well it was still dark as we crawled out of bed this morning. It was very cold but we managed to pack our bags and pull down our tents. The girls won today in being the first with all tents packed up. We were rewarded with hot pancakes for breakfast. Now on the bus again we are heading for Mildura.

Our usual Nanna nap ended when the aerobic music played. Soon we were out of our seats in the isle and moving to the music. Two more gold plate award and vest reciepients put a smile on some faces. We learnt a little more about our fellow pilgiams through this is your life segment. We stopped at a little town called Burra. Some fruit, biscutes, fruit cake and a toilet stop made us feel a little more comfortable.

Back on the bus we spent some time making up a group song to the lyrics of one of missy higgins songs. We then played scattorgries followed by celebrity head. We stopped at Renmark for lunch which was roast lamb rolls.

With some of the boys wrestling to let off steam we were soon back on the bus. With curtains drawn we watched The movie Yolongu Boy which challenged us to think about the challenges that many young people face as the grow up in a world of mixed cultures and how we respect and acknowledge our own as well as learning from others. The challenges this brings as well as the rewards. We crossed the SA and Vic border and arrived in Mildura about five. With the usual afternoon routine done while eating anzac cookies some braved the cold water and went swimming while others chilled out enjoying each others company.

Today we farewelled Heather Bradbury, our coordinator.

Today was busy with writing up lists of equipment, making resources animal and weather proof to last for the year ahead. As well as stacking items into caravans, ready to go into storage.

Our camp ground is beginning to look rather empty. Its hard to believe that after only two more nigths sleep the camp will be completely packed away. We are down to our bare minimal of items required untill we leave (ie plates, knives and forks etc).

Our kitchen tent is now dismantle, we enjoyed our dinner al fresco style under the Outback sky.

Last night we arrived at Port Augusta. It’s been a good journey back from Uluru, with camel riding follwed by a hike around King’s Canyon, dot painting at Coober Pedy, a visit to Lake Hart (a salt lake), a swim and more painting at Port Augusta, plus a visit to the Wadlata Outback Centre, and a bit of shopping.

Every day is packed full, but a highlight for the young people is the ‘debrief’ we have had most evenings.  They are an opportunity to listen to each other.  The team and participants share highlights from the day, and talk about the things they have been reflecting on, or wanting to change in themselves.  Everyone really enjoys it.

Today we are heading for Mildura, with only 2 sleeps till we get home.

Our camp is slowly shrinking, many tents and annexes being dismantle. Today was a big day for sorting, organising, packing up and making lists of resources ready for next year. Our smaller team worked on as the heat rose during the day.

We have also secured one of the caravans we have been renting. It will make accommodation for the team a lot easier for next year.

Lots of connecting with all the local businesses and residences that have enrich and contributed to our program. Including friends from Mutitjulu and the schools in the area. Many thank you letters and photos of what the program has achieved were handed out in person. Exchanging hugs and thanks as we slowly begin to say good-bye to the community.

Ended the day at a restaurant for dinner - a celebration meal for the team.
Team aims to leave Yulara on friday - leaving behind an empty space of red dirt but many friends and connections that will remain into 2009.

Today began with another hot brekky!!. Lots of the pilgrims didn’t want to get up because they were way too tired. Once everything was packed up we got onto the bus for the long trip home. We got to do some bus aerobics on the bus after everyone had a sleep. We watched a movie and we did an update on the scavenger hunt.

We visited the Devils Marbles and the pilgrims had heaps of fun. Dinner was excellent. It consisted of kebabs and some Asian style noodles. To top the day off and put the icing on the cake it was one of our pilgrims birthday. For desert we had birthday cake and it was really good. To finish the night off we watched a movie called ‘Night at the Museum’ and we tried to sleep as we travelled through the night

Up this morning at six, tents down by seven, was tight competition this morning but the boys may have won again this morning first ones with all tents packed up!

Hash browns, cereal and toast for breakfast and then on the bus ready to go by eight. Well today we start the long journey home, from Alice to Cober Pedy!

Stopping for a quick toilet stop at Kulgera we headed to Marla for lunch. Chicken and salad sandwiches fruit and apple slice we were soon back on the bus heading south. We watched ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’ and then finished the bus trip with some games. We arrived at our under ground bunkhouse while some just spent time chilling out a few of us took off to find our fortune in opals. A few of us went noodling on the rubble piles on the edge of town. A bit unlucky we only found a few slithers of opal though not even enough to buy an ice cream. After some small group time we were treated to a delicious entre of chesses biscutes cabanosie and more Stir fry steak followed for main course and triffel.

With bellies full we ventured Into our under ground dance party. Struggling with the volume and limited music we ended with ‘my fat pony’. The end of another day, teeth brushed it was not long before heads hit the pillow and eyes closed.

We Fare-welled Hannah, Ben, Chris and Mal today, Thanks guys for all your help! - our team is shrinking quite quickly.

Lots of sorting, organising what needs to go where, returning resources. Its quite a jigsaw working out what to do next. The heat is returning as we work!  We are collating everything we are storing here and making many lists of resources needed next year etc..We are writing thankyou’s to the many many from the community that have contributed in so many ways.  THANKS TO YOU ALL!

We also had another unexpected visitor to camp. A dingo, enjoyed sniffing about the camp!

We continue to meet and share stories of the week in-between work, grateful for the amazing connections we have made and for the effect the program and community life we have built has had on so many.