Soil conservation “down under”

Excerpt

WE'VE all been “Down Under,” courtesy the novels of Nevil Shute, Qantas airline's ads, Hollywood, and the rollcking strain of Waltzing Matilda.

Australia is that huge island surrounded by blue that threatens to fall right off the bottom of most world maps. There are koala bears, kangaroos, didgeridoos, beautiful beaches, and endless pints of beer. All Australians are over six feet, tanned, talk with that 'strine accent, burst with optimism and friendliness, and live in the Outback-sort of an English colonial Wild West where the sun always shines. Because Australians are down-to-earth and practical, the land flourishes and everybody lives happily ever after. It's a great place, Australia. It is. And there's more than a germ of truth in the exaggerated stereotypes most first-time travellers to Australia carry along with them as part of their mental baggage.

“Aussies” are surely the friendliest people in the English-speaking world and their pioneering vigor and enthusiasm is evident to even a casual visitor. But the things that produce a tremendously appealing national character, the enthusiasm and pioneering vigor, the shirt-sleeve way of life, can create problems. Soil conservationists Australia know that all too well. But they are coping with those problems; they are open to new ideas and want to share their …