There
was a lot of noise from a motley crew that sunny August day
As car load by car load we assembled, one short and that was
Ray
Then it's up in the air, on a bumpy flight to good old Bathurst
town
For everyone knows, we cannot go, without taking that silly
clown.
Then out
we fly via Nyngan, to Cunnamulla and finally Charleville
The whole team in high spirits, even though Michael looks
quite ill
At Charleville we greet old friends, and the folk we'll stay
with tonight
Then meet to plan tomorrow, first up we'll like everything
real tight.
In the
service Ray sings, Leanne plays and Michael strums a tune
While Steve reads a paraphrase which make some people fume
Sharon with her bags of secrets, tells everyone of God's creating
Then its away to the plane, you scurvy crew, Mount Isa is
awaiting.
A head
wind slows our little plane and we arrive with the setting
sun
Your running late the pastor remarks, our service has just
begun
So in we creep and silently wait through songs and a farewell
joke
Till we finally take our turn at telling, of God's love for
all these folk.
As Monday
dawns, we pack the plane and head for old Burketown
But the clouds soon make it clear to us, were just not getting
down
Then a voice on radio we hear, Sweers Island in the gulf is
near
We'll land out there, have coffee, talk and wait till the
coast is clear.
Soon it's
in the plane and off we go heading back to Burketown school
These children laugh and clap and yell as "Gotcha"
plays the fool
The Principal understands our message, and phones to Doomadgee
I know you've been resisting but, these noisy Pirates you
must see.
At Doomadgee
we meet the man, I've chased throughout last week
And win his trust as the children learn, GOD Kingdom we must
seek
Then to his nearby house for lunch, the food is tasty and
welcome
Before we fly to Borroloola and meet up with Merv and Malcolm.
This
first dinner served in silver foil of unsavory stew and mash
When eaten hot and shoveled down could cause a stomach rash
Leanne and Sharon being ladies, smartly slipped outside to
eat
While the rest of us fought bravely we found eating quite
a feat.
After
eating all this gourmet food, we prepared to sleep for the
night
Taking time to service the body, clean the teeth, and make
everything right
The use of the men's toilet however would give even a saint
quite a scare
With lots of frogs jumping deep in the system "lift the
seat if you dare."
With
air slowly leaking from air beds, everybody sleeps close to
the floor
Much turning is heard through the night and the snoring is
hard to ignore
Then for breakfast its weeties and coffee plus a satchel of
jam and the toast
Merv busies himself making sandwiches, best in the land that's
his boast.
Breakfast
is over we head for the school, across a very wet football
ground
And set up beneath a canopy, on a plastic bubble sheet we
have found
Our Pirates play has lots of music and songs, with plenty
of actions to boot
The Treasure chest hides the "Minties" by the handful
we share out the loot.
With
the props finally packed in the bags then we're off on our
aircraft safari
We flight schedule our next destination, Hodgson Downs, School
of Minyerri
Now Mervs anxious we may lose our way, so he flies on and
leaves usbehind
Without him leading the way he states, Hodgson Downs, is beyond
us to find.
Mervs
aircraft fades into the distance and Steve maneuvers the Piper
around
But when we arrive and circle the field, we can see Mervs
not on the ground
The moment we assemble the backdrop, we hear Merv's plane
overhead
By radio we learn they're not coming in, they have decided
to fly on instead.
As
usual the children love "Gotcha" as he picks up
and drops everything
Leanne explains that God loves them, their troubles to him
they can bring
The children sing us a Christian song, their language is strange
to our ears
But it's good to hear they know Jesus, lets pray he's retained
all their years.
The
teachers are happy we came, so we stop and talk for a while
Then comes a lunch that's fit for a king and that makes everyone
smile
There's meat pies and sauce by the plate-full, and lots of
fruit for us all
With so much food to be eaten, each one of us answered the
call.
Once
all this good food had been eaten, and we finally settled
our hunger
It's to the landcruiser and back to the plane, our next stop
is Urapunga
On arrival we fly round the air field then ever so gently
touch down
To find there's a dusty walk to the school located in the
center of town.
Remember
the sandwiches that Merv made, now they get into the fun
These morsels he now offers to us after 5 hours in his plane,
in the sun
With much expressed flourish & flair, we postpone them
till after our act
To tell him we've already eaten, would be very much lacking
in tact.
The
children arrive and sit around us, some dressed in a uniform
of red
With Malcolm and Merv joining in, by the Pirates and Clown
they are led
Through action and noise and loud bidding, to the Auctioneer
of our play
To win a pirate ship, a motley crew, or the Kingdom of heaven
today.
After
the school we all walk to the store, and sit down to eat our
ice creams
Then Merv offers those sandwiches, we're not going to avoid
them it seems
We finally agree to take a batch with us, even though it's
late in the day
Maybe we'll be able to dispose of them once we get down Ngukarr
way.
We're
winging our way towards Ngukarr, that's where we'll stay tonight
Our sore bodies are beginning to unwind, as the end of the
day is in sight
When all of a sudden a voice is heard, which wakes us up with
a start
"Pass a sandwich up to the front," in our opinion
that's not very smart.
I
neglected to tell you the makeup of these unimaginably tasty
repasts
The contents of which we imagine, has a flavour that lingers
and lasts
With layers of Margarine and camp pie, all smothered with
tomato sauce
For anyone with a weak stomach, they could be an unstoppable
force.
With
a deep sense of awe, we open the bag, and pass one across
to Ray
Without much ado he consumes it, to our complete and utter
dismay
Michael also decides to take a big bite of this stiff, dry
and crusty bread
But from the look on his face we decide, it's better to eat
plaster instead.
Steve
our very wise pilot, solves the problem with a strong steady
hand
Three sandwiches sucked out the window spreads sauce all over
the land
Like three majestic winged things, past Sharon's passenger
window they flew
To splatter on Merv's windscreen, he could be right behind
us, for all we knew.
At
Ngukarr we're first on the ground, so we quickly taxi right
up to the gate
On alighting our plane we receive quite a fright, a mess to
seal all our fate
There's Margarine spread on the fuselage and sauce all over
the rear tail wing
With rags and a squashed box of tissues, it's a race to clean
the whole thing.
With
all the gear, and food unpacked and both planes locked up
real tight
It's two trips in another Landcruiser, to the school where
we're staying tonight
A key opens our humble abode, it's a refrigerated storeroom
to be precise
It's not that our expectations are high, but a clean tidy
floor would be nice.
With
much loud trumpeting and fanfare, the school's master key
we receive
Upon opening the door to the kitchen, comes a smell you would
not believe
There's a suspicious pot in the far distant corner, half full
of water and slime
That's home to a batch of red sausages, that's been dead for
a very long time.
But
the low point of our stay here, is something to bring tears
to the eyes
Upon viewing the much praised toilets, we receive an unwanted
surprise
Our senses are destroyed by the conditions, that's all that
I'm going to say
We're locking the door with the padlock, then just simply
walking away.
Back
to that refrigeration storeroom, where we'll all sleep tonight
on the floor
We observe in a far distant corner, there's a covered up very
mysterious door
After shifting some tables and friges, the lost secrets are
finally revealed
There's a long forgotten toilet, upon which years of grime
has congealed.
Using
all the rags we can find, combined with every detergent that's
on hand
We wash and scowl the whole area, till everything shines and
looks grand
After that we can finally relax, and take a walk up the main
street into town
Or wait on the porch for the Census Rep, they promised will
track us all down.
The
last dinner that Merv is preparing, smells very different
then ever before
With the stew from those outdated packages and corn from his
abundant store
Sharon's not impressed with this mixture, and declares with
a convincingvoice
This foods not in my diet, I'll have to cook noodles, Oh!
what a wonderful choice.
The
sleeping arrangements are rugged, we're spread out all over
the floor
We have Ray and his machine in one corner, and Merv set up
by the door
Sharon and Leanne will not behave, they keep disturbing all
of the guys
So when we finally fall into slumberland, you hear only our
tiny wee sighs.
It's
Wednesday at Kgukarr school, and we set up on the dry dust
ground
While Steve and Merv search everywhere, to see if some fuel
can be found
The children love all our props, especially the swords we
use in the play
To act like a band of buccaneers, with the message of salvation
to relay.
From
Creation to the Kingdom of Heaven, the Gospel message we now
impart
Then we pack all the props in the Landcruiser, and back to
the Piper we dart
Once we're packed Steve gives us the news, our next stop is
not all that far
With luck it's only one hour's flying time, to reach the children
at Numbulwar.
At
Numbulwar they're all very proud, there's a mural on nearly
every school wall
They take us beside lots of classrooms, to their biggest and
largest class hall
We assemble our gear at one end, and let Ray dress in a storeroom
nearby
But when " Gotcha" starts our program, his laughter
makes a little girl cry.
It's
great you came said a teacher, the Christian message is needed
out here
But with so many children packed into the hall, our message
was lost I fear
Unfortunately we have no more " Minties", so it's
back to the airstrip we race
Our next flight's to the children of the top end, Gove's the
name of the place.
The
view changes as Steve banks the plane and prepares for our
approach
This is the airfield at Nulumbouy, on other aircraft we must
not encroach
The bright red of the Bauxite greets us, as we race along
this airstrip
So this is "Gove", somebody says, we pray it'll
be worth the long trip.
We
taxi the Piper across the tarmac and by the workshop bring
it to rest
This airfields run by MAF folk, and their assistance is soon
put to the test
Our port wheel strut's gone and collapsed on us, it's in need
of urgent repair
They evacuate and Hydrogen fill it, while we assist as much
as we dare.
They
give us a wing full of free fuel, and a car to drive while
we're here
A nice house that keeps us together and allows us to wash
all our gear
We in turn bring our first message, on the sand at a place
called Ski Beach
To people of a different culture, but still people God's planning
to reach.
It's
a strange and eerie feeling, to be on this dark beach late
at night
To see lots of folk lay their blankets, by a large cross luminated
by light
The service is all very casual, and the dancing is something
to behold
While we sit very nervous on a blanket, we're on as soon as
we're told.
Once
again the Pirates perform, Gruel and Scrub row the Captain
ashore
We finish the play with a message, but it's just not enough
they want more
You've heard the expression "deep end" now Michael
and I are thrown in
To strum the Guitar and sing out of tune, till "Gotcha
the Clown" can begin.
After
that "Nasty Zac" climbs a tree, for the first time
the clown takes a part
Leanne narrates the whole story, about this man who changes
his heart
We finish and hand out the "Minties", then sit on
the blanket, safe and sound
To hear the Pastor say "Lets have more singing, so everybody
gather around."
We
stand around in a large circle, humming tunes we don't even
know
Till this night's meeting is finally ended, and we at last
can pack up and go
But our hasty retreat is our misfortune, no one told us, we
hadn't a clue
That down the beach they were cooking, Kangaroo in a sand
Barbecue.
Next
day dawns bright and sunny, so Ray and Michael swim for a
while
In Carpentaria's blue gulf waters, the home of the salt water
Crocodile
Then it's to the school after lunch, to take scripture for
a session or two
To the children, their class teachers, and some Americans
to name a few.
Our
very last session is done in a park, we set up by an electric
light post
It's supposed to be a youth drama night, organised for after
tea by our host
The night's become very windy, our screen base needs the support
of a rock
But by lifting some nearby specimens, two scorpions give all
quite a shock.
It's
Friday morning and we all rise early, have breakfast and get
under way
With so many schools on our schedule, we'll be amazed if it's
not a long day
We drop the car off at the airport, stow the gear and check
out the plane
Then off we go before sunrise, there's a very tight schedule
to maintain.
We
take time to look at the view, to see the forests and the
ocean up here
And the big beautiful rambling rivers, that will one day be
exploited we fear
We see the blue colour of the gulf waters, the white of the
beaches nearby
Even though we look as hard as we can, not even one croc did
we spy.
We're heading for Elcho Island, it's the first school on our
flight plan today
After a short flight from the mainland, we circle and approach
from the bay
There's nobody there to meet us, there's no worry it's only
a very short drive
So I hustle a quick ride to the school, talk with Rose until
the others arrive.
We're
allotted a spot beneath a building, down one end beside the
canteen
Because of the wind that's picked up, we must use ropes to
tie up the screen
Leanne keeps telling us all to focus, and we struggle to get
everything ready
As Sharon arrives with a bump on her head, teary eyed and
a little unsteady.
Our
program's the same as before, we use "Gotcha" to
excite all the kids
Then we switch to the Pirate story, and have Sharon control
all the bids
When we reach the end of the play, all the characters are
used to say
Nobody can get to Heaven, except through Jesus cause "He
is the Way."
As
the show is now over we pack, the school children then sing
us a song
The music is still in our ears as we go, the local minister
now tags along
On the way to the airstrip we learn, there's more schools
to fill up our day
Their life is run at a different pace, they just don't understand
we can't stay.
The
plane's in the air in a hurry, with the course set for way
down the track
We'll be flying today over Arnham Land, to a settlement called
Gapiwayak
The children here are proud of their school, for no matter
how far they roam
To different parts of the country, they will always call Gapiwayak
their home.
There's
lots of laughing during this show, and they clap as we finish
each part
With the Pirates all in high spirits, the message comes straight
from the heart
As we pack all the props in the bags, the class democratically
give us a vote
We score full marks for each item, we're pleased but that's
no reason to gloat.
This
is certainly one hectic day, we find Robinson River is next
on the queue
But after seven hours of traveling, we're running late and
are now overdue
As soon as we land a cruiser arrives, to take us on a long
bumpy ride to town
School's out by the time we arrive, and there's not many children
to be found.
As
soon as the sound of the bell fills the air, all the children
begin to file in
Then with lots of laughter and noise, they sit patiently for
the show to begin
"Oh! No it's my undies" cries "Gotcha",
as I use a hankie to wipe all my face
Then it's back to the aircraft in a hurry, we must keep up
this frantic pace.
We
must keep moving along this way, there's no time to stay for
a while
All we can do is inquire how they are, and wish them good-by
with a smile
Once again it's up and away, there's the message of Gods love
to deliver We figure it'll be about mid afternoon, before
we reach Kiana by the river.
We
finally see Kiana in the distance, it's late and schools,
definitely out
But our transports faithfully waiting, to carry our gear and
show us about
The school is an old railway carriage, raised up and placed
on steel beams
The whole place is decked with lights, their very happy we
came it seems.
Once
again they ring a school bell, this time the whole town comes
along
To see poor "Gotcha's" misfortune, and hear the
whole team sing a song
Even though Ray dresses like Superman, our little drama still
comes alive
Before we shove all the gear in the bags, and back to the
airfield we drive.
Steve
repeatedly cranks the motor, "it won't start" he
exclaims with a sigh
Our single engines got to be running, before we can get up
in the air and fly
As the exhaust gives a cough or two, we're away with the last
rays of the sun
And even though we don't know it yet, this nights excitement
has just begun.
One
last shot of the setting sun, before Michael turns on the
interior light
To play a serious game of Scumbags, that will go on and on
with the flight
This first leg is back to Mt Isa, to fill up our tanks and
get something to eat
Before the long flight into Lorgnette, and the beds in the
Motel we greet.
Our
landing is guided by the lights on the strip, then we taxi
down the tarmac
While the plane is checked we phone for a cab, then it's off
to buy a Big Mac
The whole town is crowded with people, it's impossible to
maneuver around
So it's place the order and obtain all the food, then hope
a cab can be found.
After
an hour we're back the food, it's hard to believe we've taken
that long.
We eat all our "tucka" with relish, but in our haste
we got one order wrong
While we were away they put fuel in the tanks, and checked
the oil supply
As soon as we've eaten we'll be up in the air, then we'll
wave Mt Isa goodbye.
"It's
time we were going' yells Steve, "clear prop" then
he turns the key on
But there's not a splutter nor a whimper, the battery has
packed up and gone
We all look around in silence, at this late hour everyone's
gone we're alone
Maybe we could rustle up some assistance, if only we could
find us a phone.
There's
some movement away in the distance, near the office and exit
gate
So I'm off like a rocket across the forecourt , to catch him
before it's too late
He's quite taken back as he hears my sad tale, I'll get my
car is all he can say
Then we'll try using his car battery, to start our engine
and help get us away.
But
this brilliant idea's not working, there's no power, we're
getting nowhere
So we phone from the Flying Doctor's plane, to get some assistance
out here
It's the Queensland road service we call, there's one person
left in the store
Once we agree to the fee he comes to the strip, to a job they've
not had before.
With
the engine running like clockwork, he then checks all the
electronics out
Then he and Steve have this conflab, while the rest of us
are standing about
"We've got the all clear " shouts Steve, "the
alternators charging just great"
We may still get some sleep tonight, even though we're now
two hours late.
We're
finally heading to Longreach and those beds into which we
will creep
When somewhere just short of Cloncurry, while most of us are
fast asleep
The lights on the dashboard start blinking, an event which
gives us a shock
When we think that this beautiful aircraft, could fall from
the sky like a rock.
It's
a very long way to Longreach, when your flying alone in a
blackened sky
With no lights, radio and no navigation, but with God's help
we'll continue to fly
By the flickering beam of the torch light, maps are checked
during this flight
We've got just one shot at the airfield, to power up those
two ribbons of light.
Our
prayers are answered the lights come on, It's the end of this
long journey
When six weary people alight from the plane, and lock everything
up with the key
In the dark we walk these lonely streets, for it's now two
thirty in the morning
We're out on our feet and exhausted, once in bed there'll
be plenty of snoring.
It's
Saturday and there's hours to spare, the plane must be all
checked out
So there's a trip to the HALL OF FAME, with time for a leisurely
walkabout
Then back to the plane across the railway tracks , before
I return to buy lunch
For "Curly" still has to charge the battery, and
give it some power and punch.
Come
Saturday afternoon we're flying high, with Wee Waa right in
our sight
We need to arrive before dinner, for we have a bush dance
to put on tonight
As we bank we see Elizabeth and Jason and people with whom
we will stay
After Ray has called the bush dance, and we come to the end
of this day.
The
bush dance is quite a success, once the line dancing has broken
the ice
We stumble along and mess about, with some routines that are
very precise
and with everyone willing to take part in the dance, it's
great to join in the fun
Or to just sit around and drink some coffee, now that this
long week is done.
It's
Sunday the last day of the Patrol, we're here for a Sunday
school show
Most of the team have the sniffles, and we're moving just
a little bit slow
We know Ray's voice is starting to fade, and Leanne's is well
on the brink
But we strive to leave a message, that will cause some people
to think.
After
the show we pack all the bags, leaving only what we need for
today
We started this Patrol with Sharon's story, now we should
finish this way
With a water pistol to shoot everybody, and cards for the
children to hold
Sharon describes GOD wonder of creation, as a story that has
to be told.
We
have almost finished our Patrol, our next flight will see
Ray at Bathurst
But these people won't let us depart, until they relieve our
hunger and thirst
There's just to much food on the table, we'll just have to
leave some behind
Then all that's left is to thank everybody, who have been
so helpful and kind.
It's
still a fair flight to Bathurst, so we pick a town where there's
plenty of fuel
But the Narrabri refueler's not happy, you'd think we were
breaking some rule
We fill our tanks then it's off again, to Bathurst where we'll
have to leave Ray
It's been a long week and we're all tuckered out, but we'd
do it again we say.
There's
only the flight over the mountains, and Sharons now got the
joy stick
If this plane begins to tumble, let's hope Steve takes the
controls real quick
We see a ring of smog on the horizon, as we approach down
the right lane
We're down a runway for the last time, this Patrols over,
we're home again.
We
went to Tibooburra one time,
While on patrol outback,
And we happened on this yarn one day,
Someplace along the track.
It's about a local legend,
Which I understand is true,
'Bout the time the town was flattened
As a rumble traveled through.
It
was on a Tuesday evening,
And not much different from most,
When a group of city slickers
Came to stay, up from the coast.
Well, they booked into the motel,
Went for dinner in the pub,
And annoyed the local diners
With their riotous hubbub.
They
complained about the service,
They complained about their drinks,
But they ate their meals with relish,
Paid their bill, and gave their thanks.
They returned then to their lodgings,
And settled for the night,
Peace and calm returned to town
Unknowing of their plight.
It
first occurred about twelve thirty.
Folks were shaken from their beds.
Anyone who tried to stand or walk
Was toppled on their heads.
The buildings in the township
All began to crack and crumble
As it built to a crescendo,
The Tibooburra Rumble.
Authorities
were mystified,
Hard pressed to find a cause.
but a study of the seismic shock,
And scientific laws,
The plotted epicenter
Was "The Granites Rocks" Motel
Room 10, bed number 4,
As near as they could tell.
Investigations
later
Based on eyewitness reports,
Disaster reconstruction,
Expert theories, and thoughts,
Put down the whole phenomenon
To a very simple cause
Chrysalis Drama's Alan Larkin
Nicknamed "Chainsaw" cause he snores!
This
poem is based on experiences of outback patrol fellowship
in July 1995.
Opportunity down under
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