CENTRAL Australia is a unique place and it has fostered a special bond between a man and his donkey - who have become local identities.
About two years ago, Douglas and Elaine Draeger took on the responsibility of raising an orphaned donkey on the outskirts of Alice Springs - a bit different to brining a new puppy home, says Elaine.
"A health worker in the APY Lands made a plea for someone to take on a donkey that was found in a less than ideal way," she said.
"Orphaned donkeys are very common in station country and remote parts of SA and NT - dogs attack them and they often do not have a very good life."
Elaine has always had a love for donkeys and was ready to take on the challenge with raising a donkey.
Sophie, was the size of a medium sized dog and Elaine bottle fed her for months.
"She was found eating foam mattress and was starving. She is now thriving," she said.
Draeger family take on Sophie to help NT remember military history
AFTER moving from SA to Alice Springs more than a decade ago, a military-enthusiast has enlisted a new assistant to further his dedication to reenactments of Australia's WW1 and WW2 history.
Prison guard, Douglas Draeger helped his wife Elaine nurture orphaned donkey, Sophie, back to health throughout the past two years but she has become more than just a part of the family.
"Sophie took a little while to get used to the dog and geese we have at the property but before we knew it, it felt like she had been here forever," he said.
"She has blended well into the family and any passersby will stop and pat her - she has become a real identity in Alice Springs.
"She really loves company."
Sophie's people-loving ways led Douglas to think about a bigger role for her in the community.
"The community is beginning to know her and she has become a bit of an attraction," he said.
Douglas has committed to being a member of the Tennant Creek and Alice Springs RSL for about 10 years and it has further fuelled his passion for Australian military history.
"I was a member for the The Barossa Light Horse Historical Association, an historical re-enactment troop in SA, and I really enjoyed it," he said.
"We would reenact WW1 military events on commemorative days."
Douglas believed it was paramount that military history was remembered.
So, across Alice Springs, Douglas has reenacted many historical parts of past world wars, including the 25 Pounder Gun firing that commemorates the 2nd / 14th Field Regiment passing through Alice Springs en route to Darwin during WW1.
He has also conducted talks about Battle of Darwin, that happened on February 19, 1942, and was the largest single attack ever mounted by a foreign power on Australia.
Sophie will make her event debut on August 13 during History Week and Douglas has been busy training her with a halter and other military accessories, such as a water container swaddle.
"This will be her first public appearance," he said.
The History Week display will commemorate Jerome Murif, the first cyclist to ride from Adelaide to Darwin, in 1897.
It is the 150th anniversary of the Overland Telegraph line, which led on northward to Alice Springs and Darwin, and what Mr Murif followed on his journey.
So, rather than Douglas just talking about the life of a soldier, he will now have Sophie by his side to help share the stories.
"Hopefully she will engage more people in our military history," he said.
Vanessa Binks
I am the Markets Editor and journalist at the Stock Journal. I am based at Nuriootpa in SA's lower north.
I am the Markets Editor and journalist at the Stock Journal. I am based at Nuriootpa in SA's lower north.
