By Clare BruceTuesday 29 Oct 2019NewsReading Time: 2 minutes
All photos: Fusion’s Pilgrimage to Uluru / Facebook
While hundreds of tourists were rushing to Uluru last week to ‘conquer’ the rock before climbing was banned, a small group of pilgrims led by the Christian organisation Fusion, were learning about the rock and its significance from the ground.
They were part of Fusion’s “Piligrimage to Uluru”, an annual trip aimed at educating young people about indigenous history and culture, and advancing the cause of reconciliation.
In a Facebook post last week, responding to the news about the rush of climbers, Fusion said that climbing the rock is not necessary in order to have a life-changing and memorable experience.
They made the following statement:
“Over the past 19 years of our Pilgrimage, we have taken, at a rough guess, over 3500 young people and leaders to Uluru. Not once have we climbed Uluru, and not once have we lacked a meaningful or worthwhile experience of being there. This weekend, we stand with the Anangu, our friends, as the climb will finally be closed. We continue to work for reconciliation between us, brothers and sisters of Australia. Palya.”
Normally conducted at Easter time each year, the annual Uluru pilgrimage takes young travellers to Australia’s red heart where they learn from the land’s traditional owners, in order to understand their country better, make friendships, and help build a better Australia.
The event Facebook page sums up the purpose of trip with the statement, “More than a holiday… We stop. We listen. We change. Taking a pilgrimage is making a choice to know the past, so that we can change the future.”