Ben Blomfield is coordinator of the Logistics Team greatly supported by Geoff Young, Jenny Taylor, Peter Macgill, Lynn Phillips, Graham Young and others roped into assisting.
Ben is involved with reconnaissance of potential Desert Discovery Project sites. Requirements for each site include access to a bore with reasonable water and a nearby airstrip. Earlier Projects required the Airstrip to be cleared of light vegetation by dragging grader blades and participants planes actually landed for the Project. The airstrip could double as an evacuation site in case of bushfire.
Ben also erects directional signs to help participants get to remote sites
In past Projects, Ben has contacted potential community schools some 12 months before the project commences, inviting the school to fit project dates into their school calendar. He also forwards information about DD and discusses the project with teachers.
Ben also assists with writing a presentation if required which goes to the relevant Traditional Owners, where the project is outlined and permission and permits sought for the project.
Ben assisting to refuel Participants vehicles at the fuel dump
Some two to three months before the commencement of the project Ben discusses project plans with Royal Flying Doctor Service and local Police.
Other responsibilities prior to project commencement include:
- Booking an RFDS medical chest.
- Buying materials and equipment as noted during the previous DD project.
- Organising fuel dumps and quantities needed.
- A month before departure all equipment is serviced and repaired if required, including the trailer.
- Assisting the President with Project preparations.
Ben transports the Camp Infrastructure in the DD trailer to the Project Site and the Logistics Team arrives 2-3 days before project commencement. They establish any systems required; dig toilet pits, install thunder boxes (the seat) and toilet tents, and organise to erect other communal shelters.
During the project, the team:
- Performed ongoing servicing of equipment where required including repairing toilet tents and maintaining toilets.
- Assisted DD participants with running repairs to camping gear and puncture repairs.
- Was responsible for pumping drum fuel organised for the project.
- Lighting campfire at the marquee and manage the urn and tea and coffee supplies.
- Assisting the participants with track location where required,
- Maintaining weather records when available.
- Transports water for Participants when required.
- Install new infrastructure if requested
DD has a 1400L Water Bladder to transport water when required.
New hand pump being installed at Eagle Hussar Bore
The Logistics Team also doubles as the Marsupial Mole Team and conducts the excavation of Mole Trenches in suitable sandhills to search for presence of mole tunnels.
Mole Trench showing Tunnels
On the last day of the Project, the team organises other participants to help:
- Dismantling of marquee.
- Dismantling of all facilities and toilets.
- Loading of trailer.
- Cleaning up of the site.
Ben then transports the Trailer and DD Equipment back to Perth, performing immediate repairs as required.
An Airstrip after clearing by DD
Desert Discovery Inc. 