Andrew Harper of Australian Desert Expeditions speaks of the use of camels in contemporary scientific research at the official departure of the Burke and Wills Environmental Expedition at Royal Park on 20th August, 2010.

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-Australian Desert Expeditions represents the last living legacy of the Burke and Wills expedition, currently with 20 pack camels working in the northern Simpson desert along the Hay River with traditional owners and our ecologist doing flora and fauna surveys. And we're also the living legacy of this significant and important Afghan cultural heritage of the Afghani cameleers who shouldn't be forgotten, formed an integral part of departure here 150 years ago.

The-- It's interesting that it's come full circle. 150 years later, camels are still a very important tool in working out in the environment, the remote areas, and seeing exactly what's going on. Our environmental impact walking with a team of 20 pack camels is quite small compared to driving out there at the moment. And where we work, that's obviously very important in that fragile area.

So again, unlike Burke and Wills, we have to come back again and again, year in, year out.

I'd like to wish Jonathan all the best for his vehicle-based expedition along the original route, and I hope that we can be part of that journey next winter. Perhaps in April or May along parts of Cooper Creek.

Thank you.