OSCA
OFF THE GRID
WESTALL BEACH SA ; DAVID WITH HIS DAUGHTER AMANDA AND HER FIANCÉ CHRIS
A mind-cleansing trip of 5000km in three weeks
Having retired from JLL after 39 years I decided to go ‘ off the grid ’ for a break before turning my mind to my next venture .
I grew up at Berribee , a 32,000ha sheep station in north-west Victoria on the Murray River , and I find something special and cathartic about the big sky and the space of outback Australia .
So I packed a swag in my ute and headed outback on my own . I called it a ‘ mind cleanser ’ after a long time in the intensity of corporate life . I wanted to wake up each day and be able to say , ‘ Do I want to go right or left today ?’, and do whatever I wanted .
I have always advocated good career breaks . Many talk about it but don ’ t actually do it . In 2006 I took seven months ’ long service leave to focus on my four children as a 50 per cent parent when I separated . I will never regret it .
I went to Balranald , Menindee , Broken Hill and the Flinders Ranges , and had a ‘ turn right ’ moment at Port Augusta , adding 900km by going to Streaky Bay to surprise my daughter who was there . It did ! I had three nights in a swag on a remote beach with her and her friends – brilliant !
After that I went to my hometown of Renmark to catch up with
old friends , eight of whom I had not seen since grade six . What a great night ! Then I had a special time camping with my son , James , on the Murray River at Berribee Station , now part of the Murray- Sunset National Park . He now understands much more about my upbringing and the majesty of the Murray .
Next it was on to meet old friends who have farms in the Coonawarra and western Victoria . I was like a big kid playing with his ‘ toys ’. I also had another ’ turn right ’ moment , taking me to the beautiful seaside town of Robe .
I wanted a circuit breaker or mind cleanser and I got it , as I covered more than 5000km in three weeks , enjoying the big sky , the remoteness of the outback and re-engaging with old friends . I can recommend to everyone that time ‘ off the grid ’ is good for your attitude . Just do it ! DAVID BOWDEN (’ 75 )
( Condolences to David and the Bowden family on the death of David ’ s father , Geoff (' 46 ), an OSCA stalwart who was President of the association in 1991 , and a regular participant in OSCA events right up to the time of his death in March .)
ON THE ROAD BETWEEN MENINDEE LAKES AND IVANHOE . RIGHT : STOKES LOOKOUT , FLINDERS RANGES
64 Great Scot