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Editorial - The Spirit of the Kimberley | |
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This niusleta is not about Kokoda - it's about another journey almost as powerful in its  meaning - the spirit of the Kimberley! The journey was developed by Mike Beckingham who has had to come to terms with more than his share of adversity when he lost his wife, Liz, to cancer. As he was supporting Liz during her battle one of their teenage daughters, Lisa, was also diagnosed with cancer. At this stage of his life Mike had a distinguished career in the army and had been appointed to head up the Australian Rural Leadership Program which he developed into a world class program for our rural leaders. An important part of the program was journey into the Kimberley's where he formed a close association with Aboriginal elders and leaders. In 2002 Mike decided to go 'walkabout' himself. A local elder took him 'bush' for months at a time and shared his own Dreamtime They explored sacred places unseen by white man. It has been a spiritual awakening for Mike's search for meaning after the personal tragedies he has endured. During his journeys into the dreamtime he formed an association with an aboriginal couple, Colin and Maria Morgan, who run Wundargoodie Aboriginal Tours. Together they have developed a Kimberley Spirit experience for people with an interest in our indigenous history and culture. I have shared Mike's journey along the way. We served in the 1st Brigade together during our army days and our families were very close. I worked on the Rural Leadership Program in the Kimberley with him in the early stages and he has trekked Kokoda with me on four occasions. We used to be given leave passes to attend the Tamworth Country Music Festival each year as we shared a great love of country music. If the spirit of adventure still flickers in your soul after Kokoda you might like to contact Mike by email at jambiyindi@bigpond.com or give him a call on 0417 250 944 to sign up for another unique experience. Lukim yu and hepi nuyia, Charlie |
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Kimberley Spirit: 9 to 20 June 2008 | |
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Aboriginal people speak of every meaningful activity, event and life process being connected with the earth. Only in states of raised consciousness can we be aware of this Dreaming  Who are we? Where have we come from? Where are we going?  Colin and Maria Morgan and their family, Wundargoodie Aboriginal Tours, have joined with Mike Beckingham (former army officer, Kokoda trekker, explorer and lover of Kimberley rock art), to offer a unique journey into the remote northern Kimberley to connect with the spirit and culture of this ancient land and its people. “A remarkable journey with wonderful hosts. To gain an insight into the spirit of the Kimberley and its traditional owners was a profound and moving experience.”  The proud owners of Wundargoodie Aboriginal Safaris, Colin and Maria Morgan, were born and bred in the Kimberley. Colin was born in Wyndham and grew up in Oombulgarri Community (formerly Forrest River Mission). Maria was born in Broome and grew up in Wyndham. Colin and Maria have a deep affinity for the life and land of the Kimberley. They teach their five children traditional hunting, survival and tracking skills.  Colin and Maria established Wundargoodie in 1994 with tailor-made trips operating between Broome and Darwin. Between them they have over 26 years of experience in taking people into these powerful places. Together with Mike Beckingham they introduced the Kimberley Spirit experiences in 2005. The aim is to give a maximum of 12 participants a unique insight into and connection with the Kimberley and its traditional people.  ONLY 12 PLACES AVAILABLE FOR 2008 KIMBERLEY SPIRIT TREK/TOUR  This is a journey, for a maximum of 12 people, who wish to explore themselves and raise their consciousness in the dramatic and powerful setting of the Kimberley.  "They say we have been here for 60,000 years, but it is much longer. We have been here since the time before time began. "We have come directly out of the Dreamtime of the Creative Ancestors. We have lived and kept the earth as it was on the First Day." Aboriginal Tribal Elder  "What can I say? It is already two years since the wonderful trip we did with you and the Morgan family. We've both done a lot of travelling in the bush but it remains one of the most memorable times of our lives, not only for the sheer pleasure of moving at a relaxed pace through that marvellous landscape and for the insights and companionship of an aboriginal family like the Morgans but for our fellow travellers as well. All of them made their own contributions to a trip we'll never forget. We'd do it again in a heartbeat, if only we could."  ESSENTIAL INFORMATION  The trip starts in Kununurra and heads west stopping at beautiful places along the Gibb River Road as far as the Kalumbaru turn off. It then goes north to the King Edward River and the amazing Mitchell Plateau where you will spend 3 or 4 days. You will swim in beautiful unspoilt gorges and sleep out under a billion stars. You will sit around a campfire at night and listen to dreamtime stories.  While there is a plan, the itinerary is not rigidly fixed. It flows with the energy of the group and the places you’ll stay at - but you will go where few have been since time began.  Arrange your own flights to Kununurra by 9 June and out after 20 June - perhaps fly in and out through Darwin or in through Darwin and out through Broome - Air North flies from Darwin or Broome to Kununurra - www.airnorth.com.au  Arrange your own accommodation in Kununurra for the nights of 9 June and 20 June - Mike can provide some helpful suggestions if required.  Wundargoodie will provide the food, incl special requests (vegetarian etc)  Wundargoodie will transport you in a comfortable, air-conditioned, off road vehicle.  You will sleep in swags and mozzie domes (all provided) under the brilliant Kimberley stars and moon. A full list of what you should bring will be sent to you once you’ve confirmed.  The weather will be hot by day (30s) and may be cold at night (single digits).  You will visit powerful places away from the normal tourist spots - you will see stunning Aboriginal rock art, much of which predates the last ice age. You will see Wandjina and Gwee-yarnn (Bradshaw) art as well as many other styles from the last 40,000 years.  You will get to see the Kimberley through the eyes of the traditional custodians of this ancient land. Daily travel distances will be kept short and there will be opportunities to spend time alone and explore on foot - if you wish.  COST The cost is $2,950 ex Kununurra - a non-refundable deposit of $650 is required  FOR MORE INFORMATION Mike Beckingham on 0417 250 944 OR jambiyindi@bigpond.com  Mike Beckingham jambiyindi@bigpond.com Mike served in a wide range of leadership positions, in a wide range of fields, in the Australian Army from 1967 to 1992. He holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering, Honours Class 1 from the University of NSW and commanded sub-units and units at all levels up to a large Combat Engineer Regiment. He also served in Chief of Staff, National level strategic planning and training and development roles. In 1981/82 he attended the prestigious British Army Staff College. He was a Colonel when he retired from the Army in 1992 to establish the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation. From 1992 to 2001, Mike was Executive Director of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation. The Foundation develops higher-level leaders in rural and regional Australia through the Australian Rural Leadership Program. Since 2001, Mike has worked with Aboriginal people in remote communities, mainly in the Kimberley. He has assisted them to develop strategic directions and plans, youth strategies, drug and alcohol action groups and community partnerships. He also sought support for and found the initial funding for the successful Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre - and sat on its inaugural Steering Committee. Mike is experienced in facilitating groups, conducting workshops, planning (operational and strategic), developing leaders, helping Aboriginal people develop strategies so that they might shape their own futures, and building capacity in rural and regional communities, organisations and industries. In conjunction with Aboriginal people, Mike runs a unique Kimberley Spirit trip for people who wish to explore themselves and raise their consciousness in the dramatic and powerful setting of the Kimberley. Mike has written a strategic paper for the development of an indigenous youth strategy - regrettably it has attracted little interest from Government - probably because it was developed as a result of his extensive experience in the Kimberley rather than a sterile think-tank in Canberra. You can read his papers by clicking here: . Overview of Indigenous Youth Strategy by Mike Beckingham . Indigenous Youth Strategy by Mike Beckingham It is easy to understand why aboriginal policy is such an abject failure when ideas such as these are ignored by Governments in Australia. CONTACT MIKE BECKINGHAM AT jambiyindi@bigpond.com OR 0417 250 944 |
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Who are these blokes? | |
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 During the period 1983 - 85 Brigadier Mike Jeffrey MC was the Commander of the 1st Brigade at Holsworthy. The command included an airborne battalion (3RAR), a mechanised battalion (5/7th), a cavalry regiment (2Cav), an artillery regiment (8/12), a combat engineer squadron (1 Field Squadron) and various other logistic units. mAJOR Mike Beckingham was responsible for Operations, Major Charlie Lynn for Personnel and Logistics and Lieutenant John Cantwell was the Commanders Liaison Officer for the Brigade. The staff work of these three officers was so good the Brigade Commander went on to become a Divisional Commander, then Governor of Western Australia and eventually our Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia (that's our story anyway!). Major-General John Cantwell AM is now Deputy Chief of the Army. He has had a most distinguished career which included command of a British Tank Squadron in Operation Desert Storm and later as Director Strategic Operations, Headquarters Multi National Forces Iraq. He also served as Commander of the 1st Brigade and was responsible for our next generation of army leaders as Commandant of the Royal Military College at Duntroon. We were honoured to share Mike's 70th birthday with him, Marlena, their family and around 100 close army families at Government House 0n the 12 December 2007. In the words of Slim Dusty - 'he's done us proud'! |
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