Into the Rising Sun

Mundaring to Southern Cross, WA

2007-11-23T15:26:00.001+10:00

Howdy Camel Cowboys & Cowgirls,

Typing is a foreign process....

Perhaps it's because this is the first time I have been able to dedicate the use of both hands to one activity, without having to hold a rope, tie a knot, tighten a strap and swat at flies whilst swearing through a pocket knife that's gritted in my teeth.

320kms into this journey I have had my doubts and shed as any many secret tears as I have obvious kilos. In the months and weeks leading up to this epic (insert word) we were so busy preparing essentials that I didn't have any time to consider the hardship of this undertaking.

Crossing Australia with camels is an emotional challenge and were it not for the many characters that we've met along the way that greet us with surprise and enthusiasm, then I don't know whether I would be feeling the same level of spiritual fitness that I am right now.

I'm terrifically humbled by the generousity of people in rural Australia and ever thankful to the many many many people that have offered us advice, a cold drink, a bale of hay, a smile and words of encouragement along the way. It's especially easy to become complacement during the routine of dusty travel. Our brilliant camels are our first thought in the morning and the last thought at night, and on occasion bolt through my dreams waking me in a pool of sweat. But trusty and loyal they remain and the sounds of them chewing their cud acts as a calming presence as I lay in my sway under the stars each night.

Tomorrow we leave Southern Cross en route to Kalgoorlie. The trainer wheels are soon to be left behind as they will buckle with the greater distances we now have to travel between supply points.

But foreamed with no expectation and a growing appreciation for the taste of flies and dust we will travel smiling.

Peace Be the Journey
Nate

PS: More pics at Group: "Into The Rising Sun" at http://www.facebook.com/

Into The Rising Sun - Departure

2007-10-28T09:26:00.000+10:00

Well all the preparation is now over and were off today.

Its been very novel over the past month and I can only say that if this trip was on a boat then we really should be prepared to sink very quickly. Thank goodness for solid ground - hard to fall through that!

The Camel Whisperer - Chris O'Hora - the owner of the camel farm and our camel mentor, has a saying that is used at infinitum "Prior preparation prevents piss poor performance" - due to no other reasonable alternative this has been modified by the group to "Winging it works". We'll see which is true.

All of the other guys have serious safety concerns due to the magnitude of the trip, the terrain and the enormity of the undertaking. To date I have not shared this view as I was sure that all that we had to do was to carry sufficient provisions and keep walking towards Melbourne. I am now changing this opinion and feel that any reasonably competent psychologist would instantly certify me insane based on the last month's preparations. It has not gone smoothly due to a total lack of understanding of what we have to do by all of us. However we have gotten to departure day and we are going with a sense of relief to get away. Any additional things that we need we are going to sort out in the next two weeks so by then we should be a well oiled machine.

I woke early this morning to write this email and felt both euphoria and trepidation and on the way to the computer room I saw an omen. As I walked passed our camel's paddock with our three "Automated wheelbarrows" lying down chewing their cud who were blissfully unaware of what they are about to be subjected to, a beautiful fully coloured rainbow opened up above the camels with the rising sun and framed them perfectly in the sky. This should be sufficient to save the chicken that we were about to sacrifice to check out the entrails for the portends of the future. I can comfortably now confirm that someone is watching over us and the chicken is going to live after all. I actually think that the big fella in the sky is rolling over with hysterical laughter and wants us to go on the trip so that he can watch a new soap opera of life on a daily basis. This is sufficient reason for me to feel comfortable and happy about the journey. Keep the TV tuned to Channel Camel God, there will be plenty of installments coming up that will give you a good belly laugh.

Yesterday we had the film crew on site and they captured the first attempt to load the camels.

They seemed perplexed that we have 4 Chinese made travel suitcases that we bought from "Red Spot" - the WA equivalent to "The $2 Shop". When we explained that we ran out of funds to by suitable cases for these camels they laughed - we laughed too. All be it that the two laughs were certainly not the same type of laugh none the less we were all jovial and we walked away to pack the camels and they stood still and scratched their head in bewilderment.

Imagine 3 camels that are unused to the new saddles (made of steel and look very much like an 18 foot skiff with big outriggers on the side) being packed with 1 ton of equipment. I must agree with the camels that in the same situation I would not be all that happy. Well they weren't. They bucked and kicked but eventually they settled down and we managed to take them for a 15 minute walk before the sun set. This was all captured on film by professional who do not miss anything that could be construed to be embarrassing, funny or dangerous. Great day! In between our last minute preparations we were being interviewed and asked all sorts of questions about ourselves, the group and the trip.

Anyway were off and that's what's most important.

Day 1 is a brisk 8 km jaunt to the Mundering Weir Pub where we'll stay tonight and then be interviewed tomorrow by the TV show "Today Tonight". Nathan has got his own publicist on the go so we may well take two years to get to Melbourne as we will have media responsibilities all along the way.

Due to all of the media excitement Damo, our BFG (Big Friendly Giant) has gone out and bought himself a dress. We all thought that this was a good idea as this would be the closest thing to an Arab outfit that is available from and OP-shop. Well Damo got a bit excited and he bought a tightly fitting evening dress - red of course, made specifically for the well endowed woman who wants to show off her cleavage. Got to love Damo!

Stay tuned for the next installment. Will have photos then so you can see the progress.

Brad

Media

2007-09-20T17:31:00.000+10:00

Western Suburbs Weekly - Aug 28th, 2007
(PDF) (JPG)

Soundtrack to a Camel Convoy

2007-08-28T15:56:00.000+10:00

* Reckon your music would sound good in the desert?

* Reckon you'd like to have your music travel across Australia on the back of a camel?

* Reckon you'd like to have you music featured on mp3.com.au and maybe appear on a film sountrack?

Then go to mp3.com.au, create an artist profile and update your music. Then enter the following information into the comments section at the bottom of this page. If your track is selected then it will be added to the Camel Convoy Playlist as featured on mp3.com.au.

Artist Name: (example: Major Chord)
Location: (example, Melbourne)
Track Name: (example: I'm just as troubled as you)
Link to your mp3.com.au artist profile: (copy and paste the address in your mp3.com.au artist profile here)

Tell us in 50 words or less about your song and how it's related to any of the following
* Australia
* Journey
* Desert
* Drought
* Water
* Fear
* Joy

Into the Rising Sun - The Journey

2007-07-09T14:29:00.000+10:00

What is ‘Into the Rising Sun’?

It is a journey.

It is a community focussed initiative.

It is a dream.

Into the Rising Sun is an ambitious project undertaken by Nate the Cameleer and a group of young Australians with a dream - to cross from Perth to Melbourne on camel.

It is a purpose designed journey through the heart of Australia and aims to journey into the hearts of Australians, and offer hope to those who need it most. This initiative is proudly ‘Australian Made’ by a proud young Australian who hopes to lead by example and demonstrate that ‘taking the first step’ is the ‘first step’ towards realising a dream.

Into The Rising Sun - "The Deal"

2007-07-03T18:31:00.000+10:00

Deal or No Deal feat. Nate the Cameleer - watch how the Into The Rising Sun initiative got started.....
Part 1 / 3

Part 2 / 3

Part 3 /3

Alternatively you can watch "The Deal" with Nathan, where he supplies a unique commentary.
Part 1 / 2

Part 2 / 2

The Into The Rising Sun Initiative would like to thank its Sponsors

2007-05-23T18:23:00.000+10:00

As populations increase across Australia and the rest of the world, demand for water will also increase. If we don’t reduce each individual’s demand for water (both directly and through embodied water) the water situation will become dire.

...Hi Australia, I'm Priscilla
(Queen of the Desert)
Why not click on my hump
to find out how you can
Save 50 Litres of Water
Per Day?!

Captain Cook Cruises (WA) offers visitors to Perth a wide selection of cruises on the picturesque and calm waters of the Swan River. Since 1980, over one million passengers have stepped on board and enjoyed our hospitality

At Aussie Disposals has all your outdoor needs covered. You can buy on-line or you can browse the website for any product you want and call in to your nearest Aussie Disposals Store and chat to one of the friendly sales staff.

Aussie Disposals – Gear to take you places.

Drought Relief

2007-05-17T00:14:00.000+10:00

AUSSIE HELPERS challenges Australians to keep the dream alive in "Rural Australia"

Aussie Helpers was established in 2002 to help fight poverty and lift the spirits of those in the outback that are being severely affected by the worst drought in living history. Aussie Helpers is staffed entirely by volunteers and works to find farming families who are in desperate need of assistance. The drought has emotionally and financially ruined countless farming families, with many having to sell off their breeding stock to survive. Australia can't afford to lose the generational expertise that these families have been handed down through the generations. Aussie Helpers raises all its own funding… help us to make a real difference in the lives of our farmers so they can keep producing the best food in the world for all Australian families.

Extreme isolation and six years of drought have taken its toll on drought affected families:

Loss of breeding stock

High incidents of depression

The tragedy of suicides

Families financially crippled

Family break-ups

We can win the war against the worst drought in over 100 years with your support.

Donate to Aussie Helpers

Contact Nate The Cameleer

2007-05-16T03:24:00.003+10:00

How to Contact Us

Website: www.intotherisingsun.com

Email: info@intotherisingsun.com

Mobile: 0432 950 060

Sponsorship

2007-05-16T03:24:00.001+10:00

The Into the Rising Sun initiative is presently inviting expressions of interest from sponsors looking to gain national exposure.

Primary sponsorship is sought to get the ships of the desert sailing and provide principle seed capital in conjunction with services/resources that will be required during the sponsorship term. Such resources include transportation, safety and communications equipment.

The structure of sponsorship is intended to facilitate no more than three major sponsors to act in conjunction with secondary minor sponsors that will provide journey specific resources, ie: luggage, maps, trip essentials.

The level of involvement required from major sponsors is the supply of services/resources, to be determined on a case by case basis in conjunction with a cash component.

Major sponsors will receive prominent placement and promotion of brand on official merchandise, website and in dealings with publics during the sponsorship term.

And “Yes” Major Sponsors get to name their own camel and adorn it accordingly with sponsor’s branded camel blanket.

For further information on sponsorship contact the Into The Rising Sun Team.

Join the Camel Convoy

2007-05-16T03:22:00.001+10:00

R U ‘CrEaTive?’

Do you enjoy the great outdoors?

Like to travel?

Want to get some fresh air?

Why not join 'Nate The Cameleer' and the Camel Convoy travel Into The Rising Sun across Australia?

Into The Rising Sun invites one and all to join the camel convoy and travel across Australia! Although you don’t have to do it all (after all, it’s a very long way!!!) In fact you can travel for as long as you like, be it a day, a week or if you’re really keen….well longer anyway!

In September 2007 Nate The Cameleer, along with his enthusiastic camels and team, will be departing Perth (Kalamunda) to walk across Australia and invite enthusiastic people to share the journey and get involved.

But before you start lacing up your hiking boots (as seen in photo on left) you should check the journey page and see where and when the camel convoy will be nearest to you (also a good idea to check back as details might change). Also it’s important that you’re up the challenge as ‘this ain’t no walk in the park.’

However if you’re not one for walking, then there are plenty of different ways that you can get involved as the convoy will be travelling along roads and could use a support crew to carry supplies and scream messages of encouragement to the travellers.

What you need to know if you’re looking to travel with the Camel Convoy?

· BYO all provisions (camping gear, food, etc.)
· Australia is a beautiful country and we hope to keep it that way, i.e.: consider what you pack as you will have to carry rubbish with you until the next bin.
· Ideally the convoy will be looking to travel 20-25kms per day so you must be fit and motivated as you don’t want to get left behind.
· Bourke and Wills were the first to use camels for trekking in Australia in 1862 (alright – perhaps not essential information, but interesting nonetheless).

What the Camel Convoy needs to know?

· Who you are and how you would like to get involved? For those looking to get more involved, there are a range of skills that are sought after and would be advantageous (i.e., cooking, water carting, provisioning, camera skills, making music, etc.?)

· What is worth ‘checking out’ in your town – if your town in on the travel route, then please email us and let us know what the ‘”Must See” in your town is?

Those looking to get more involved in the journey should contact Nate The Cameleer and organisers.

(Picture taken of Nate The Cameleer & C.Y. O'Connor at Mundaring Weir)

The Journey - Map & Route

2007-05-16T03:21:00.000+10:00

Map loading...

It is estimated that there are as many as 500,000 feral camels in Australia.

"A feral camel is just a camel you haven't made friends with yet!" - N. Carter circa 2007

TOWN / CITY	STATE	KM 'S FROM LAST	CUMLATIVE TOTAL
Calamunnda Camel Farm (Perth)	WA	0	0
Mundaring Weir	WA	10	10
Mundaring	WA	8	18
The Lakes	WA	16	34
Bakers Hill	WA	22	56
Clackline	WA	7	63
Northam	WA	17	80
Grass Valley	WA	13	93
Meenaar	WA	11	104
Meckering	WA	22	126
Waeel	WA	13	139
Cunderdin	WA	11	150
Wyola	WA	17	167
Tammin	WA	7	174
Kellerberrin	WA	23	197
Doodlakine	WA	16	213
Merredin	WA	40	253
Burracoppin	WA	25	278
Walgoolan	WA	13	291
Bodallin	WA	26	317
Moorine Rock	WA	38	355
Southern Cross	WA	21	376
Yellowdine	WA	32	408
Koorarawalyee	WA	38	446
Boorabbin	WA	38	484
Bullabulling	WA		484
Coolgardie	WA	38	522
Kalgoorlie	WA	39	561
Boulder	WA	5	566
Kambalda	WA	60	626
Great Eastern Hwy	WA	19	645
Widgiemooltha	WA	21	666
Higginsville	WA	33	699
Wingarnie	WA	15	714
Pioneer	WA	31	745
Norseman	WA	25	770
Some Picnic Table/Rest Area	WA	82	852
Fraser Range	WA	18	870
Balladonia	WA	100	970
Caiguna	WA	182	1152
Cocklebiddy	WA	64	1216
Madura	WA	90	1306
Moodini Bluff	WA	40	1346
Mundrabilla	WA	41	1387
Mundrabilla Motel	WA	34	1421
Eucla	WA	65	1486
Border Villiage	SA	13	1499
Nullarbor	SA	182	1681
Yalata	SA	93	1774
Colona	SA		1774
Nundroo	SA	55	1829
Bookabie	SA	45	1874
Penong	SA	35	1909
Koonibba	SA	43	1952
Ceduna	SA	33	1985
Wirrulla	SA	139	2124
Cungena	SA		2124
Poochera	SA	47	2171
Minnipa	SA	33	2204
Wuddina	SA	37	2241
Kyancutta	SA	13	2254
Koongawa	SA	16	2270
Kimba	SA	57	2327
Giles Downs	SA	87	2414
Iron Knob	SA	68	2482
Lincoln Gap	SA	42	2524
Port Augusta	SA	25	2549
Port Pirie	SA	92	2641
Warnertown	SA	13	2654
Crystal Brook	SA	19	2673
Burra	SA	83	2756
Morgan	SA	88	2844
Waikerie	SA	45	2889
Barmera	SA	81	2970
Renmark	SA	36	3006
Rufus River	NSW	50	3056
Wentworth	NSW	49	3105
Merbein	VIC	25	3130
Mildura	VIC	15	3145
Euston	NSW	82	3227
Robinvale	VIC	6	3233
Swan Hill	VIC	75	3308
Kerang	VIC	58	3366
Echuca	VIC	65	3431
Mathoura	NSW	41	3472
Tocumwal	NSW	60	3532
Strathmerton	VIC	21	3553
Numurkah	VIC	21	3574
Shepparton	VIC	53	3627
Nagambie	VIC	79	3706
Seymour	VIC	22	3728
Melbourne	VIC	105	3833

The Team

2007-05-16T03:20:00.000+10:00

Nathan Carter (Nate The Cameleer) - Cameleer & Initiative Coordinator

Nathan Carter is many things to different people. Among them he is a graduate of Swinburne University and has a Bachelor of Business, with majors in marketing and media.

His background is varied having spent his early years in Melbourne before moving to Tocumwal – a small country town on the NSW/Victorian border. It was perhaps here, during his “Tom Sawyer-esque” upbringing on the banks of the Murray River, that Nathan developed a love for the bush, which lay unacknowledged beneath his more immediate desire to return to city climes.

During the late part of Nathan’s secondary schooling he took part in organising a community charity event to raise money for victims of child abuse. Together this youth initiative transformed an unsightly park into a outdoor amphitheatre and secured television personality Denise Drysdale (aka Dodo) to host what was to be called “The Twilight Benefit Concert.” The evening was a complete success with several hundred people turning out to enjoy the event.

Relocating to the city in 2000, Nathan studied chemical engineering at RMIT (albeit briefly) before shifting to Business at Swinburne TAFE where he jointly hosted a morning radio program “The Bonnie & Clyde Show” and continued to play with his band “tucket” – which would have one time fame and commercial radio play throughout Melbourne.

Since graduating Nathan has gained a host of professional experience in both the public and private sectors, chiefly working in support roles to management. Among these companies was a publicly listed internet and development organisation, where Nathan worked for two and half years.

Abroad Nathan has travelled extensively in first and third world countries. It is through public interaction and activity that he believes community spirit is best evidenced, thus reflected in a university guest lecture that he delivered in Southern India.

Beyond the constraints of ordinary categorisation Nathan is also an adventurer, a historian, a writer, a musician, a story teller, a media spectator, a Taurus, a naturalist, a forward thinker, an aspiring cameleer, a hopeful gardener, a lousy ironer, a bathroom singer, a colour blind dresser, a public speaker, a shy comedian, a cautious lover, a fan of sustainable living, a bath water recycler, a lucky friend of many, an impatient fisherman, a television channel switcher, a frustrated inventor, and an ordinary Australian…..with an extraordinary dream.

Damien Thornton (Damo) - Surfer and Visionary

It was Damo who foolishly applied to be part of Channel 7's 'Deal Or No Deal' and roped in Nathan. It was also Damo who left the country before he had a chance to be part of Channel 7's 'Deal Or No Deal' forfeiting his chance to win any money for this proposed overseas surfing trip.
Nevertheless he will return in time for the commencement of the journey.
Damo is an incredibly slow walker and will probably delay progress.

Leon Bryant – Documentary Director/ Spiritual Guide

Leon (a long term friend and short term adversary of Nathan) will lend his keen eye for detail to the journey, documenting the journey on film. Leon is a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (Musical Theatre) and will no doubt be able to draw on survival skills gained during this training.

He considers himself fortunate having had the opportunity to recently visit Wadeye, an Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory, where he engaged with the community and gained a greater understanding of traditional indiginous life in Australia.

Leon once expressed interest in joining the journey with a donkey. This was a spur of the moment thought and the idea was quickly abandoned.

Brad Evans - Water Expert / Adventurer

Brad is a character beyond description. With over 20 years in the water industry his experience will be invaluable. He enjoys his water luke warm or frozen and his background as a Olympic standard skier attests to this.

During the journey Brad's experience will be called upon in harvesting, drilling and extracting water out anything moist.

He is also a hell of a rain dancer!

Gavin O - Designer / Head Cheerleader

In an attempt to avoid the blistering heat of central Australia, Gav's role takes place safely behind a computer monitor in Melbourne. From here he's able to supply designs, artwork and other promotional material - no matter what vague deadline Nathan throws his way.
His pale skin makes him an otherwise dangerous liability on the trail...

Justin George - Online Support / Second Cheerleader

Justin's contribution allows you to come along on this roadtrip, via the information superhighway.

Principally his role will be to update online maps and upload content, such that site viewers can track the journey and find us if we get lost in the desert.

Justin will also be required to have beers on ice when the travel party arrives in Melbourne.

Into the Rising Sun - The Background

2007-02-25T19:33:00.000+10:00

Our journey begins in Kalamunda, 23 kms East of Perth - the most isolated city in the world, on the driest habited continent on Earth, Australia.

It is here that our story begins, or perhaps continues…

It was 5 years ago in Melbourne when a young student, Nathan Carter let his mind wander along a path little travelled - a journey westward across the country, on a camel.

Shackled by the restraints of an office job and the drudgeries of life, Nathan found his dreams of travel losing momentum. These dreams became lost in the desert and forgotten about for some time.

Fast forward to just 2 months ago when Nathan found himself completing an application form to be part of a television game show and confronted with the question.

“What would you do if money was no obstacle?”

Little did he know that his response would have a remarkable follow-on effect. In a heartbeat, Nathan found himself explaining to a national audience his desire to cross the country atop a camel to raise money for drought relief, before winning a portion of money, being involuntarily liberated from his place of employment, being gifted a ticket to Perth where he quickly found himself volunteering on a camel farm under the watchful eye of the man they call “The Camel Whisperer.”

Join Nathan as he learns what it takes to become a camel wrangler, adventurer and bushman. His journey promises to be a unique journey into the heart of the Australian outback and beyond – all told from atop a camel's hump.