What you need to know before you come to the Blank Page Summit Hard Yarn
You will be welcomed to Billard Aboriginal Community soon after your arrival through a smoking ceremony convened by Stephen Victor Snr, the most senior member of the Billard Community and on whose traditional land the Summit will be held.
After the smoking ceremony you may move freely around the Summit site in the knowledge that the country has accepted you and you are truly welcome to be there for the purposefor which you are invited.
Smoking Ceremony – Blank Page Summit Hard Yarn (2010)
Smoking Ceremony – Blank Page Summit Hard Yarn (2010)
What will the facilities be like at the Summit?
Excellent nutritious food
Professional caterers make the food a talking point long after the Summit is over. Special needs such as gluten-free, vegetarian diets are also taken care of and there is continuous tea,coffee and water available.
Comfortable tents with beds, snug bedding, comfy pillows
Whether you’re a seasoned camper or prefer a five-star hotel, accommodation at the Summit is designed to make you feel at home – you can stand up in your Oztrail tent, spread out your gear, put your clothes on a chair and have a sound night’s sleep on spring country.
Showers and toilets
Billard is powered by a hybrid system of renewable energy and generator power. You’ll be more than happy with the eco-showers and toilets (eco- and flush) located near your tent and maintained to the highest standards by the community at all times.
Recreation
There will be specific recreational activities hosted by seasoned volunteers each day – early morning Spring Country Stroll, Causeway Fitness Walk, Morning Mass, Quiet Time area for solo reflection, evening campfires and musical entertainment.
Transport
Summiteers travel to the Summit by air charter (16 minutes from Broome) or air-conditioned 4WD coach (2 hours from Broome) – the choice is yours.
No vehicles are permitted on site during the Summit – no exceptions. When you register for the Summit, plan your stay as though you were travelling abroad – you wouldn’t take your car. If an emergency arises and you need to leave the Summit, you will be assisted to do so.
Mark Herbert (Chief Pilot) – Broome Air Services – Official Summit Airline
Medical support
A First Aid service operates at the Summit with trained personnel resident. The Summit medical staff work closely with staff from Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services’ staff from the clinic in Beagle Bay.
Mobile telephones
Telstra 3G provides excellent coverage in the region. A telephone charging service is provided for the round-the-clock convenience of Summiteers.
Fax and land line
A fax machine and land line are available for urgent business.
Shopping and banking
Facilities are very limited in Beagle Bay – plan in advance as there is no bank, post office or pharmacy. ATM facilities are not guaranteed. Limited essential items are available at the Summit for emergencies only.
No Humbug
Billard Aboriginal Community is an alcohol and drug-free community. Visitors are asked to observe the community’s ‘no humbug’ agreement by respecting each other and the environment at all times.
Children
The Summit site is not equipped to host the children of registrants.
Weather
In July it will be a tropical climate with warm days – a maximum of around 27 degrees C – and mild evenings of about 12 degrees C. The median rainfall for the months of July to October is normally zero. There is unlikely to be any cyclones or even thunderstorms during the Summit.
Summit Survival
Every Summiteer will receive detailed information in advance about the Summit – what to bring, survival tips, protocols and helpful general knowledge.
Practical information
What you need to know before you come to the Blank Page Summit Hard Yarn
You will be welcomed to Billard Aboriginal Community soon after your arrival through a smoking ceremony convened by Stephen Victor Snr, the most senior member of the Billard Community and on whose traditional land the Summit will be held.
After the smoking ceremony you may move freely around the Summit site in the knowledge that the country has accepted you and you are truly welcome to be there for the purpose for which you are invited.
Smoking Ceremony – Blank Page Summit Hard Yarn (2010)
Smoking Ceremony – Blank Page Summit Hard Yarn (2010)
What will the facilities be like at the Summit?
Excellent nutritious food
Professional caterers make the food a talking point long after the Summit is over. Special needs such as gluten-free, vegetarian diets are also taken care of and there is continuous tea, coffee and water available.
Comfortable tents with beds, snug bedding, comfy pillows
Whether you’re a seasoned camper or prefer a five-star hotel, accommodation at the Summit is designed to make you feel at home – you can stand up in your Oztrail tent, spread out your gear, put your clothes on a chair and have a sound night’s sleep on spring country.
Showers and toilets
Billard is powered by a hybrid system of renewable energy and generator power. You’ll be more than happy with the eco-showers and toilets (eco- and flush) located near your tent and maintained to the highest standards by the community at all times.
Recreation
There will be specific recreational activities hosted by seasoned volunteers each day – early morning Spring Country Stroll, Causeway Fitness Walk, Morning Mass, Quiet Time area for solo reflection, evening campfires and musical entertainment.
Transport
Summiteers travel to the Summit by air charter (16 minutes from Broome) or air-conditioned 4WD coach (2 hours from Broome) – the choice is yours.
No vehicles are permitted on site during the Summit – no exceptions. When you register for the Summit, plan your stay as though you were travelling abroad – you wouldn’t take your car. If an emergency arises and you need to leave the Summit, you will be assisted to do so.
Mark Herbert (Chief Pilot) – Broome Air Services – Official Summit Airline
Medical support
A First Aid service operates at the Summit with trained personnel resident. The Summit medical staff work closely with staff from Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services’ staff from the clinic in Beagle Bay.
Mobile telephones
Telstra 3G provides excellent coverage in the region. A telephone charging service is provided for the round-the-clock convenience of Summiteers.
Fax and land line
A fax machine and land line are available for urgent business.
Shopping and banking
Facilities are very limited in Beagle Bay – plan in advance as there is no bank, post office or pharmacy. ATM facilities are not guaranteed. Limited essential items are available at the Summit for emergencies only.
No Humbug
Billard Aboriginal Community is an alcohol and drug-free community. Visitors are asked to observe the community’s ‘no humbug’ agreement by respecting each other and the environment at all times.
Children
The Summit site is not equipped to host the children of registrants.
Weather
In July it will be a tropical climate with warm days – a maximum of around 27 degrees C – and mild evenings of about 12 degrees C. The median rainfall for the months of July to October is normally zero. There is unlikely to be any cyclones or even thunderstorms during the Summit.
Summit Survival
Every Summiteer will receive detailed information in advance about the Summit – what to bring, survival tips, protocols and helpful general knowledge.