Peddling a message of constitutional reform

VENTURING through Australia's red centre on a bicycle is not for the faint-hearted.

VENTURING through Australia's red centre on a bicycle is not for the faint-hearted. Unpredictable weather, deadly wildlife and a limited access to amenity is daily fare.

Yet far from the bickering in Canberra regarding timing and voter support in recognising Aborigines in the Constitution, Wiradjuri man Ben Bowen is part of a team of eight riders doing their bit for the cause.

The riders form part of a wider group of advocates who have covered more than 3000km in a relay by foot and 4WD, but the third and most demanding leg of the trek has been the 10-day bike ride through Australia's heart along the Stuart Highway.

Mr Bowen said an important part of the ride, which ends at midday today, had been stopping to talk with communities along the way about why recognising Aborigines should matter to every Australian.

The 31-year-old from Sydney is part of a national relay that started in Melbourne in May and is due to finish in Arnhem Land on August 1. The group will go by 4WD for the rest of the trip.

It had been tough going on the open road with strong headwinds and heavy rain, Mr Bowen said, but was adamant it was worth it.

"The one message I would like to come out of this is for Australia to value indigenous people and the role that indigenous people have played in this country.

"I know how hard my family and my nan fought for their rights. For us, it's a chance to step up and take that fight for them. For me, personally, I see my nieces and nephews coming through, and not much has changed as we grew up. So hopefully something else changes for them."

Mr Bowen said the team had been overwhelmed by support.

"We had car horns tooting us the whole way and everyone was quite supportive. Even the road trucks were all giving us a wave as they came through."

For fellow Wiradjuri man Lachlan McDaniel, Alice Springs shows what Aboriginal culture gives to Australia. If we are going to use such things for tourism, he said, we should be recognising it in the Constitution. "I'm hoping not only this makes a change to our constitution for the better but that it makes the relationship stronger and better amongst Australians for a better and more productive future together," Mr McDaniel said.