Our patients constantly amaze us with stories of their fascinating lives. Ben Blomfield, a patient of Russell’s for over 25 years, was recently telling us about his trip supporting a group who wanted to commemorate the 1932 walk of three Aboriginal girls, Molly, Daisy and Gracie (aged 14, 11 and 8). They had been relocated from their community in Jigalong to the Moore River Settlement and they were trying to get back home.
Ben volunteered as the Project Logistics Coordinator and spent 6 months contacting Indigenous groups, goverment departments and pastoral stations seeking permission and approvals. Ben’s escort vehicle towed a 1,000 L water tank on a trailer along with food supplies for 3 months, as well as camping and cooking equipment.
The group began with numbers of about 30, including some Indigenous people with relatives who had also been at the Moore River Settlement. This reduced to 10 after the first week, then to three after the second week.
Despite horrendous blisters, stopping every five minutes to talk to passing farmers and presenting talks to school and scout groups, the walk was completed in September 2017. Ben said it was a huge experience, and we congratulate him on his success and sense of adventure.
