In an impressive speech at a community bbq attended by 300 guests — stockmen and their families, farmers and people who work on the land from the isolated community of Longreach — Prince Charles paid tribute to the outback and recalled his own experiences as a schoolboy in the Australian bush.
“The outback is a large part of the Australian experience, its history and its sense of identity,” he said to the rapt crowd.
Relate: Charles and Camilla all smiles in Longreach
“I was fortunate enough to experience just a little of outback life when I was a schoolboy in Victoria nearly 50 years ago.
“And I cannot pretend to remember a great deal about my school curriculum but I can recall in every detail the long treks through the bush in searing heat.
“And for company I remember funnel web spiders, bull ants, leaches that could only be removed with a cigarette end, snakes of every description and kangaroos that overtook us on the country runs through the bush at Timber Top.
Related: Charles and Camilla a hit in Papua New Guinea
“If, as they say, those are your formative years, then they certainly formed me and ladies and gentlemen look at the result.”
The crowd clapped loudly and a chuffed Prince Charles chuckled.
It’s rare to see the heir to the throne so relaxed and happy in his skin and despite admitting fighting jetlag, it was a great start to his Australian journey.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
.jpg?resize=380%2C285)
Native ad body.
.png?resize=380%2C285)
