I recently spent 10 days in the Northern Flinders Ranges as an assistant team leader with Operation Flinders.
It was an amazing experience, and something I will definitely do again next year.
Operation Flinders takes students trekking and camping in the Flinders, with participants nominated to take part based on certain risk factors.
The eight days of trekking and camping is tough, and resilience is emphasised constantly. Resilience is a fantastic personality trait for anyone to have.
Working as a team will get you a long way in life.
- MICHAEL BAGSHAW
Operation Flinders takes place on Yankaninna Station, about 90 kilometres from Copley. Besides the 10 participants, each team has a team leader, an assistant team leader - my role - and two adults from the school.
During the eight days we covered about 100km. None of the ground was flat, with rocks everywhere. The scenery was amazing, even though the property has had no rainfall of any consequence for more than a year.
The walking was quite challenging, but not extreme. Fortunately, I didn't suffer from blisters, though I think I was the only one from our team that didn't.
One of the participants in particular suffered from severe blisters. To her credit, she didn't stop walking. She walked slowly for a few days, but she never stopped. The look of achievement on her face at the end of the exercise was quite special.
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I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and what stuck out to me was the impact Operation Flinders has on the participants - which is the reason for its existence.
The program is measured and very structured, with extensive feedback and follow up. The organisation does everything possible to make a real difference in a young person's life.
For me, hanging out with other volunteers from Operation Flinders was quite exhilarating. There's nothing better than hanging out with a positive group of people. I also got time to learn a thing or two about myself.
Some of it was new but most reinforced what I already knew about myself. I am quite sure I am a better person now than what I was before I embarked on this adventure.
To bring the lessons back to a farming context, firstly, resilience is a key skill to have. Most of the participants showed amazing resilience and just kept on walking, especially when the going was difficult.
Secondly, working as a team will get you a long way in life. Teamwork was a big focus on the trip and was spoken about constantly.
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Thirdly, each night we knew exactly where the campsite was, but it was up to us to determine how we got there.
In business and life generally, it is important to know where you are going. If you know this, you'll normally arrive at the destination, though there are always twists and turns along the way.
Finally, I think the most poignant lesson I learnt was to be kind to people. We don't know what upbringing other people have had, or what they are going through.
Take the time to get to know them and listen.
- Details: bagshawagriconsulting.com.au
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