| For many travellers, the preferred mode of transport is | | | | Removing the battery from the aforementioned |
| courtesy of that modern beast of burden -- the car. | | | | wreck, they pulled it apart and removed the lead. It |
| And for the majority of us, keeping our cars purring | | | | didn't take long to gather some wood, light a fire, locate |
| along is simply a matter of dropping the vehicle off at | | | | a spare hubcap, add the lead and melt it over the fire. |
| the local garage while we grab a coffee. But what | | | | This was then poured into the radiator, allowed to |
| happens if you're in the Outback of Australia? Miles | | | | harden and Hey Presto! No more leaky radiator! |
| from the nearest garage? | | | | Got a station wagon but need a convertible? |
| Well, if you're a Bush Mechanic, you simply take a look | | | | No problem ... all you need is an axe and determination! |
| around you. | | | | Want a trailer to tow your extra gear? Just attach the |
| A Bush Mechanic, according to the official website, "is | | | | decapitated roof to the back of the new convertible |
| a person who fixes his own car by using wood and | | | | and you have a great sled, ideal for towing! |
| anything that he can find to replace the certain part | | | | So, if you ever get stuck in remote places -- in any |
| that is broken. He can get himself out of trouble and | | | | country -- here are a few mechanical tips to get you |
| drive to the nearest place to find the right parts for his | | | | moving again: |
| car." | | | | Flat tyre? |
| The Bush Mechanics are members of the Jupururrla | | | | No sweat. Take the inner tube out of the spare, look |
| skin group and they call themselves the Jupururrla | | | | around the bush for some spinifex grass, gather the |
| Gang. Let Kumanjayi (Tom) Kantor and Francis | | | | grass into a pile and then stuff the grass into the tire. |
| Jupurulla Kelly illustrate how they fix their cars in the | | | | No jack? |
| Outback... | | | | Hardly a challenge. Just dig some space under the |
| Desert people have utilised many fascinating adaptions | | | | wheel for more room in which to work, and you'll |
| over the last seventy years to keep their cars (vital | | | | eventually get the tyre on. |
| for survival in the harsh conditions) in some sort of | | | | NB If you don't have spinifex in your part of the world - |
| working order. With minimum distances of over 100 | | | | any dried grass that has a bit of body will suffice! |
| kms to be travelled between different communities, | | | | Brakes not working? |
| cars are a necessity, not a luxury. | | | | Got some detergent, an old tin can and some water? |
| As an example of the ingenuity shown by the bush | | | | Problem solved! Mix the water and detergent and use |
| mechanics, the Boys were on a trip to Broome (on the | | | | to replace the brake fluid. Sure enough, when tested |
| north-west coast of Western Australia, when their | | | | out, the brakes work better! |
| radiator developed a leak ... | | | | Clutch pads worn? |
| Undaunted, they scoured the surrounding countryside | | | | If you're at all handy with a knife, you can whittle a set |
| for an abandoned car (there always seem to be | | | | out of any old mulga (or other wood) lying around. |
| plenty of these around ... and you'll understand why | | | | While these tips will certainly help out in an emergency |
| when you see how cars are driven here). | | | | ... I wouldn't try this at home, boys and girls! |