You will be welcomed to Billard Aboriginal Community soon after your arrival through a smoking ceremony convened by Stephen Victor Snr, the most senior member of the Billard Community and on whose traditional land the Summit will be held.

After the smoking ceremony you may move freely around the Summit site in the knowledge that the country has accepted you and you are truly welcome to be there for the purpose for which you are invited.

What will the facilities be like at the Summit?

• Food to die for

Professional caterers make the food a talking point long after the Summit is over (believe us – we’re still hearing about Summit 2009’s delicious meals). Special needs such as gluten-free and vegetarian diets are also taken care of and there is continuous tea, coffee and water available.

• Comfortable tents with beds, snug bedding, comfy pillows

Whether you’re a seasoned camper or prefer a five-star hotel, accommodation at the Summit is designed to make you feel at home – you can stand up in your Oztrail tent, spread your gear, put your clothes on a chair and have a sound night’s sleep on spring country.

• Showers and toilets

Billard is powered by a hybrid system of renewable energy and generator power. You’ll be more than happy with the eco-showers and toilets located near your tent and maintained to the highest standards by the community at all times. The community is currently preparing to install basins and mirrors for the comfort of guests in time for the Summit 2010.

• Recreation

There will be specific recreational activities hosted by seasoned volunteers each day – early morning Spring Country Stroll, Causeway Fitness Walk, Exercise Energiser,   Morning Mass, Quiet Time area for solo reflection, evening campfires and entertainment.

• Transport

Summiteers will travel to the Summit by air charter (16 minutes from Broome) or air-conditioned 4WD coach (2 hours from Broome) – the choice is yours.

No vehicles are permitted on site during the Summit. When you register for the Summit, plan your stay as though you were travelling abroad – you wouldn’t take your car. If an emergency arises and you need to leave the Summit, you will be assisted to do so. This requirement has arisen from a review of the 2009 Summit.

• Medical support

A First Aid service with trained personnel will be resident at the Summit. The Summit medical personnel will also work closely with staff from Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services’ at the clinic in Beagle Bay.

• Mobile telephones

Telstra 3G provides excellent coverage in the region. A telephone charging service will be provided for the round-the-clock convenience of Summiteers.

• Fax
  

A fax machine is available at Billard Learning Centre for urgent business.

• Shopping and banking

Facilities are very limited in Beagle Bay – plan in advance as there is no bank, post office or pharmacy. ATM facilities are not guaranteed. Limited essential items will be for sale at the Summit. There will be a daily shopping trip in to Beagle Bay by a Summit crew member.

• No Humbug

Billard Aboriginal Community is an alcohol and drug-free community. Visitors are asked to observe the community’s ‘no humbug’ agreement by respecting each other and the Summit community environment at all times.

• Children

The Summit site is not equipped to host the children of registrants.

• Weather

In July it will be a tropical climate with warm days – a maximum of around 27 degrees C – and mild evenings of about 12 degrees C. The median rainfall for the months of July to October is normally zero. There is unlikely to be any cyclones or even thunderstorms during the Summit.

• Summit Survival

Every Summiteer will receive detailed information in advance about the Summit – what to bring, survival tips, protocols and helpful general knowledge.

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