Party Rover was conceived on Misima Island in the Louisiade Archipelago – literally! This is where my mother fanged it up narrow mountain tracks in our old Land Rover – with me in her belly. Luckily she always made it back to our home, perched on the edge of the jungle, atop a volcanic mountain.
Life on Misima Island, PNG
Misima Island, PNG - my brothers and sisters enjoying an icy pole on the Jungle Rover
Growing up in the Northern Territory our Jungle Rover became our Outback Rover – allowing us to explore Arnhem Land, Nitmiluk, Djukbinj, Tjuwaliyn, Elsey, Litchfield and Kakadu National Parks. So many happy memories with my brothers and sisters.
Berry Springs, NT Camping Shack - Me & the Outback Rover
Arnhem Land, NT 1970's - me standing on the side of our Outback Rover with my brother and sister
As a poor Uni Student I made my 1st attempt at re-claiming a piece of this personal history and found myself a Series II 1962 SWB Land Rover. We will call this one the “Regret Rover”. Unable to afford new drum brakes, I headed off on a working holiday (nursing) in London and went so far as to locate Land Rover HQ and buy those suckers directly. Unfortunately, in my bargain hunting enthusiasm, I had not realised how heavy drum brakes were! I lugged those things on the Underground, back to the backpackers and then on to Heathrow Airport – where I hustled to avoid excess luggage fees. Unable to keep up with the costs, I sold that beautiful vehicle. Regrets? …son, I have some.
That decision hurt. And never stopped a hurtin’.
Darwin, NT 1990's the Regret Rover
Darwin, NT, 1990's...still hurtin'
Older, wiser, daggier, I have managed to buy back my personal history with a 1980’s (yes, this is now officially “retro” people!) ex- Australian Army “Parentie” Land Rover original SRV (Surveillance Reconnaissance Vehicle). Midlife crisis? That’s a big tick! Why stop at one? Fit custom bar tables to that baby, buy the loudest festival speaker, throw in a dance floor, disco lights and some coconut trees…done!
We will call this one the “Party Rover” – and this is for my sons. My favourite moment was seeing their face expressions when I unexpectedly picked them up from the school bus stop. Priceless.
So, I hope I can share my little bit of PNG, the NT, my love for Land Rovers & AWESOME PARTY CHUCKING with you – making your next party a BLAST!
Fog Dam, NT 1996 Regret Rover
