The Road Less Travelled

Camilla Milburn, who covers more country in her role with Sports Challenge than the early explorers Burke and Wills did in discovering Australia, has dubbed it the Road Less Travelled.
Camilla is not talking of a book, or a WA trotter, of the same name. She’s talking about the Northern Territory towns of Katherine and Timber Creek.
“Conflict can occur at schools because of tribal differences,” Camilla said. “Our aim is to place positive role models in the lives of these kids and to encourage communication, team work and harmony between them.”
Camilla admits that expression may be used by many, but it’s a journey that the mentors of SCA take literally.
Outback Timber Creek – where the only two seasons are hot and hotter – made a marked impression on Camilla. “The smiles on the faces of the students and the warmth that is shared is worth every kilometre to get there. What a fantastic place,” Camilla said.
It was “two-way” traffic. “Thanks,” principal Darren Pittaway simply said. “It was fantastic, fantastic to see the students interacting with each other in such a positive way.”
Camilla said the isolation of Timber Creek provided many challenges for Sports Challenge.
“There’s the wildlife, the salt water crocs, or ‘monsters’ as the locals say, the snakes, the bugs.
“The facilities at Timber Creek were limited but certainly not the energy and enthusiasm of students and staff.
“There are four language groups – Nariman, Ngaliwurru, Wardamana and Kriol – at Timber Creek.”
And it wasn’t only Camilla moved by the township of 160 people, which is described as “an oasis”.
“This was a life-changing experience,” track and field coach Jenny Hofsink said.
Former top basketballer and rugby union player Luke van Zeller said: “This was a great opportunity for me to lead, to put into practice all that I had learnt at university. I felt I really made a difference.”
We have no doubt the SCA team did.