Gulf to Gulf Walk

Jeff Johnson departed Port Augusta (at the head of Spencer Gulf, South Australia) on Thursday 5 April 2007, beginning his intrepid solo journey from Gulf to Gulf. Jeff is dedicating his journey to the memory of Nicola Johnson, who died in 2003, and to raising awareness of deafblindness. He will be following the path of the old inland telegraph line from Port Augusta to Karunda on the Gulf of Carpentaria (Northern Territory). The story of the inland telegraph line and how it opened up the continent to the World was the subject of a recent ABC series called "Constructing Australia - Wire Through the Heart".

Jeff's niece, Nicola Johnson was a wonderful, much loved member of the DeafBlind Association of NSW who managed to achieve much in her short life and we are honoured that Jeff is dedicating his walk to her memory and to raising awareness about the often hidden and isolated deafblind community.

More than 30 members of Hand Over Hand club took the opportunity to meet Jeff overlooking Manly Beach on Saturday 31 March, before he departed for Adelaide and on to Port Augusta to begin his cross continental journey. Hand Over Hand is a monthly social outing for people who are deafblind, organised by DeafBlind Association (NSW) on the last Saturday of each month. We were blessed with a bright sunny day, and Jeff had his tent set up and his equipment on display so members could touch and examine it, ask questions using tactile communication, and have their photograph taken with him before the trip. And, of course, there was an opportunity to do what you do at Manley . . . eat fish and chips!

Jeff is well prepared and he expects his 2000 kiloMetre walk and adventure across the heart of Australia will take approximately 3 months, unless called upon to use his exceptional skills repairing machinery and computers etc at sheep and cattle stations along the way, which could cause a slight delay. We wish him godspeed.

Ham Radio Operators

For those who are ham radio operators, or know a ham operator. Jeff's call-sign is VK4XJJ, and he will be active on the following calling frequencies:

Where has he Been?

Saturday 31 March 2007
Farewell meeting with Hand Over Hand club at Manly Beach in Sydney, before leaving for South Australia.
Monday 02 April 2007
Depart Sydney by air for Adelaide; City of Churches, situated on Torrens River and eastern shore of Gulf Saint Vincent in central southern Australia. Stay overnight with Emma and Craig Gordon of DB-SA.
Tuesday 03 April 2007
Depart Adelaide for Port Augusta, 307kM northwest.
Thursday 05 April 2007
Depart on first leg of trek, from the city of Port Augusta, which is located at the head of Spencer Gulf in south eastern corner of South Australia.
Sunday 07 April 2007
Quorn, 40kM from Port Augusta and 334kM north of Adelaide. Quorn is a historic railway town located on southern tip of the Flinders Ranges and 293M above sea level.
Thursday 12 April 2007
Hawker, located 374kM north of Adelaide. Another historic railway town, which describes itself as the hub of the Flinders Ranges. Located on the edge of the desert, it was the site of a number of ill-fated wheat farming stations in the 19th century.

Where Else is Jeff Headed?


Page last Updated: Sun, 10 Jun 2007
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