Regular readers will be aware that I disappeared for a few days.
I went to Broken Hill for a "God Outback" desert retreat. It was very fulfilling, and a very challenging experience. Along the way, I met up with
"Miss Eagle", a fellow blogger. One of the sights our group saw at Broken Hill was the
"Living Desert" sculptures. We stayed at "The Nine Mile", as guests of Greg and Mia. We toured around the property on the first day, with Greg, and tried to take in what it means to be a farmer in an area with an average of "5 inches" of rainfall per annum. Saltbush farming. Coming from Robertson, an area of 60 inches of rainfall, on average, this is an eye-opener.
On the second day, our group visited the
Mutawintji National Park. There Ranger Bill, our guide, showed us some of the ancient carved images made by his ancestors. These carvings may be as old as 30,000 years, a thought which is totally awe-inspiring. The remaining days, we visited various parts of the property. Each area of the property was different. In some areas, dry hillsides dominated, the landscape. In others, particularly the creekbed, the huge old River Gums dominated, being the source of life and of nesting holes for hundreds of birds, especially Corellas and Galahs, but also many other smaller birds.
*****
I drove back from Broken Hill, to Robertson, with Miss Eagle, where she met a few of my friends. We helped Celeste launch the
Pathway at the CTC in Robertson. The launch went off well, with the Robertson School kids participating, along with many volunteers who had helped Celeste with making and laying of the "Potatoes" (They are
ceramic potatoes, by the way, Leo). It is fantastic to see this project come to fruition, having talked with Celeste about her "vision" of the pathway, over such a long time. Congratulations to Celeste and to all the volunteers, and helpers whose assistance made it possible, and also thanks to the Wingecarribee Shire Council.
Special mention is made of the participation of "Aunty Val" Mulcahy, a representative of the Gundungarra people, who not only welcomed visitors to the launch of the Pathway, but who had been involved with Celeste in the design and making of many of the special Aboriginal motif tiles incorporated in the pathway.
After our brief visit back to Robertson, Miss Eagle suggested that I ought accompany her to Melbourne, to see her part of the world. Being a reasonable chappie, I decided to agree. So here I sit, on Miss Eagle's computer, composing my "late note" for the blog.
The "mountain" to which I referred in the title, is of course, both metaphorical and real. Miss Eagle's nest is underneath
Mount Dandenong, on the eastern edge of Melbourne.
*****
Eventually I shall return and post a few of the hundreds of photographs I took at the Nine Mile. Be grateful that I am not undertaking to post more than a few. As the group leader,
Ian Robinson said at the time, we should regard this experience as being a spiritual journey, not just a tourist experience. And indeed it was, (and continues to be).
For some reason, this set of clouds and the late afternoon sun combined to present some glorious views.
I think Mr Turner, in grimy London, with his sunset skies brought to life by the volcanic eruptions in far away Dutch East Indies (Indonesia), would have liked to share my enjoyment of the more commonplace sunsets of Robertson.
Lovely paintings painted in a remarkably short period of time. Apart from two paintings from a long time ago, all these paintings have been done by Mary in the last two years.
Bruce is a Kangaloon boy, through and through, although he has lived at the far south coast for many years. He suffered a medical problem with his back, many years ago. He was told he might never walk again, but fortunately he found a chiropractor who was able to treat his condition. Along the way, he has owned a pub in Bega, run trucks and today he owns an oyster lease.
Her work is on display at the Fettlers' Shed and also at the CTC@Robertson.
Penny Levett has curated an interesting display of art works based (loosely) on themes dealing with Alice in Wonderland, fungi (photos mostly, plus lots of technical information), and things to do with Tea Parties (bring your own Mad Hats).
I have a young pal called George, who lives on Tourist Road, in Kangaloon. He and his Mum and sisters live at "Dragon Farm".
This is not about Robertson, it is about Rock Art on the Burrup Peninsula, in Western Australia. But I believe it is important enough to write about here.
We were shown these Rock Engravings by local Aboriginal guides who are the custodians of the entire site, at Mutawintji. Clearly it is very special to them, and I am sure we were only shown the less significant works. The creatures depicted, especially the frogs, were important totemic figures for these people, related to their stories.
Anyway, I heard a few weeks ago that the desirability of Environment Protection Act status for the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia was being "reviewed" by the Minister for the Environment, Senator Ian Campbell. This is a huge area, famous for the largest collection of Rock Art in Australia. It happens to be in a convenient place for a giant petrochemical company, Woodside" to process Natural Gas. I ask myself why is it necessary for the Natural Gas pumping/condensing station to be placed in such a position as to destroy priceless, and ancient petroglyphs?
I spent the day at "Federation Square", a refurbished area built over what used be the Jolimont Railway Yards when I was a puppy.
