Thanks Edward for sharing this great article. As an essay, I think it is a fairly accurate portrayal of life in the Outback, and some great photographs too.
Stylistically the photographs reflect the American contemporary photojournalistic style of publications such as Natuonal Geographic and the essay follows that genre of reflective writing as well.
There is certainly an increasing impact on our native animals from transport, agriculture and increasingly climate change. On the road from Adelaide to Darwin, most observed road kill has either been obliterated by road trains and overnight buses. Often the carcasses are near intersections where there is often found green grass shoots fed by water flowing from vehicle air conditioners, as in vehicles pause at intersections. As for kangaroo meat, I find it hard to eat although it is great tasting and low in fat. Kangaroos as a food source have less land impact than cattle and sheep too. It's just hard to eat ones national emblem!
The essay also reflects the struggles of our first people who traditionally know more about land care than the rest of us. LIke the American First Nation people, there are individual successes across all sectors of our nation including Governer Generals, international sports representatives, politicians, professionals and tradespersons. There are successful outback settlements and there are disasters of drink and drugs etc.,. Comparisons can be made. Successive Federal Governments have struggled here, just as in the US.
[member=37411]Edward A Reno III[/member]
