Our Leaders
Ian Robinson
I first went to the desert in 2002 looking for God-knows-what. I found it. Since then I have helped hundreds of people to make their own desert journey of discovery. Ian has written a doctorate and two books on the experience and was the first to cross all the seven major deserts in Australia in one journey.
Michael Hertz
I have spent much of my adult life hiking and exploring the forests, mountains and rugged coasts of America’s West Coast. In 2014 I came to Perth to continue my life’s work as a healthcare educator. In my role I am privileged to help others become more fully reflective and compassionate caregivers. As wilderness has always been for me, the deserts and bush of Australia have become my best teachers. From them I gain perspective, peace and deeper appreciation of the interdependence of people, the earth and the Sacred.
Rich Read
Every year I look forward to being lost in the desert – figuratively speaking of course! I am a naturally busy and active person, where relaxation tends to inevitably end up busy on a new project. So in 2004 when I was first invited to join a desert spirit journey I looked forward to getting fully involved in the process. After more than 20 years the desert continues to draw me in as I learn to immerse myself in its stark beauty and its abrupt silence. In the desert I endeavour to wind down, stop and hear what this stunning wilderness is saying to my spirit.
Amy Springer
Amy went on her first desert journey in the middle of her first year at uni. That journey changed the direction of her studies and she was soon enrolled in a Botany degree and completed an honours in WA ecology. Amy worked in the Pilbara region of WA for 3 years and loves the red dirt and unique vegetation of the desert. She now works in health technology and management consulting, but loved getting back out to the desert in 2017, 10 years after that first journey.
Liz Norman
Before I began the Spirit Journey, I only had a vague impression of what might come out of it and how I might feel afterwards. I guess I tentatively thought I’d become more spiritually aware of myself and my Creator, within the vast open space of a desert. Instead I found a real sense of peace, and presence, and I loved the like-mindedness of my fellow travellers. It was pure JOY to engage with kindred souls and share, without fear of judgement or awkwardness, my inner wonder and it just blew me away!
Marg Robinson
As a capital "N" novice I first travelled in the Australian desert in 2002 with Ian. I was deeply impacted by the ancient beauty and stillness of this land, amazed at the integrity and variety of ecosystems and plant microsystems, and found great joy in travelling with new and familiar companions. After the journey I felt the spaces around my heart had become larger and my spirit more open. It is still an enormous privilege and spirit reviver to be out there, whatever the weather.