Teaming up on a road less travelled

By Rick Canhan

GLASS HOUSE local, Rick Canhan and his team recently returned from another trip across the Simpson Desert. The Simpson Deserts Madigan Line in the NT could certainly be referred to as one of those less travelled roads, or tracks, in Australia. In 1939, Dr Cecil Thomas Madigan set out on what was probably one of Australia’s last great desert expeditions. Madigan embarked on the epic journey of over 700km across the top part of the Simpson Desert, with nine men and 19 camels, to basically link the Colson Track in the west with the Hay River Road in the east.

The Madigan Line traverses some of the remotest and harshest deserts in Australia. The route extends north of Mount Dare, SA, and it starts at Old Andado Station in the NT, running northeast before it heads eastwards, totalling some 700 plus kilometres in an almost horseshoe shape across the desert, before finally heading south towards Birdsville.

Madigan completed his journey using only it in five days, obviously using modern 4X4’s. We located most of Madigans Camp markers that were on the track. We also found Madigans’ blaze tree, which is shown in his book, although the blaze area had regrown over the scar, but it is unmistakably the same tree.

Our Madigan trip sprung from ideas banded around the fire one night, during our 2022 trip across the Simpson Desert in WW2 Jeeps, which was also a superb trip. It

Most people would swerve to avoid fauna

MOST Aussie drivers would dangerously swerve or slam the brakes to avoid a collision, according to a recent study conducted by AAMI. The research revealed that, despite approximately half of Australians having experienced a collision with wildlife while driving, a staggering 61 percent admitted they would potentially endanger themselves by dangerously swerving or slamming the brakes to avoid hitting an animal.

6, 2023. We had just gained all our permits and approval from the Central Lands Council when a severe weather warning forced us to bring forward that date to around April 1.

I drove my vehicle from southeast QLD with the Director of Young Diggers Karen Gibbs, so the easiest way to the start point was directly across the Simpson Desert. Nick Gray from SA wasn’t going to let us go alone, so he met us at Birdsville, and we crossed the French Line in 3-4 days, where we met the remainder of the team at Mount Dare. We left Mount Dare with trepidation on our way north. Following the GPS co-ordinates was the order of the day, because many of the tracks out this way travel in every direction and often disappear quite quickly. Once we got to the Camp One marker our confidence was boosted, we were on the right track. After that the remaining camp markers were quite easy to locate, although we did find a few of the markers had been vandalised with the engraved plaques removed.

The trip itself was also another opportunity to raise funds for my nominated charity, ‘Young Diggers’. Young Diggers is a not-for-profit organisation that provides support to veterans and first responders living with the effects of PTSD or other mental health issues by providing assistance dogs and support to those members, including the training required for both animal and handler. At the time of writing, we have raised approximately $2,500, which will go a long way to helping Young Diggers achieve positive outcomes for those so desperately in need. I would like to personally give thanks to all who donated to this great cause. Donations came from many areas of the Glasshouse Country area, including Basset Barks, Glasshouse Country Mens Shed, Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt, Military Jeep Club of QLD and many

The trip was not without incident either, as Rick’s Twin Cab Triton 4X4 suffered severe Chassis damage after striking a huge wash out, consequently that vehicle is still in Birdsville awaiting backloading to Brisbane

The analysis of over 17,000 animal collision claims made to AAMI between January and December 2022 uncovered several significant findings. It showed that winter is the most perilous time for animal collisions, with 30 percent of incidents occurring between June and August. Additionally, the study identified Heathcote in Victoria as the most dangerous spot for animal collisions in Australia.

Furthermore, the research highlighted that dusk, between 4:30pm and 8pm, is the most hazardous period for wildlife-related road accidents. Saturdays emerged as the worst day of the week for animal collisions, accounting for nearly one-third of incidents.

AAMI’s Head of Motor Claims Kahl Dwight advised drivers to exercise extra vigilance during dawn and dusk, when nocturnal animals are more active. Dwight urged drivers to slow down and brake rather than swerve to avoid colliding with animals, emphasising that it is safer to sustain damage to the vehicle than to collide with another vehicle or a tree.

Kristie Newton from WIRES (Wildlife Information, Rescue, and Education Service) emphasised the importance of being cautious during the darker winter months, when wildlife is more vulnerable on roads. Newton expressed concern over the impact of wildlife collisions on native animals, particularly koalas, and encouraged drivers to stop and check the welfare of injured animals if it is safe to do so. She also recommended keeping a small kit in the car to assist with checking pouches of female animals and potentially saving the lives of orphaned wildlife.