By chance I was in Koorda on a special day - the local branch of the CWA was celebrating a birthday. Since its inception 88 years ago, it’s had over five hundred members though currently, with a reduced population throughout Wheatbelt, the members number just 14…
If ever there’s a man who seizes the day it’s Mick, and his wife Judy seems more than happy to be going along for the ride…
Just when I was thinking that nothing much had changed in Mukinbudin, I discovered that this tiny Wheatbelt town was far more progressive than I’d imagined…the Men’s Shed had women members too!
I don’t imagine there’s too many farms around the Wheatbelt that don’t have sheds full of rusty old cars, tools and farm equipment gathering dust - a photo opp at every turn.
Eaglestone Rock, or as the locals know it Turtle Rock, and Lake Brown near Mukinbudin.
Let’s be very clear here, I am not a bird photographer. I’m not nearly patient enough for a start. But camping in a farmyard in Mukinbudin with galahs our constant companions, I was bound to give it a go sooner or later!
“You’ve got to meet Ann and Three” we were told. “They’re living their life differently.” School teacher Ann and retired firefighter Three realising life was short, made the decision to sell up, buy a caravan and head off on an adventure around Australia. They left Bunbury, had a night in Narrogin and then drove to Mukinbudin, a tiny Wheatbelt town, three and a half hours drive from Perth. That was nine months ago. They’re still in Mukinbudin.
Wilma Geraghty, 89, and her son Peter own the Mukinbudin BP. She still works five and a half days a week because “What else would I do?” As well as working in the office this diminutive lady whose skin belies her years told me “I pump fuel, do the gas cylinders but I gave up carrying the 20 litre drums quite some time ago though…I’m the dog’s body! I do everything and anything but I’m the master of none.”
Clean, simple landscapes in the Wheatbelt with flat horizons and big, big skies.
I got chatting to Bill at the check-out in the IGA in Merredin. Turns out he’s a dingo trapper and was able to give us lots of good advice for keeping both us and Jazzy safe as we head north.
Small plane enthusiast, Richard Spark retired from farming and moved from Bonnie Rock to Mukinbudin 25 years ago. Since then, and now aged 82, he has owned and operated the town’s mechanics business. He was the founder of the Mukinbudin congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses which also still keeps him busy.
We caught up with our great mate Tony Docherty out a Elachbutting Rock, north of Mukinbudin in the Wheatbelt a few days ago. He’d been taking part in the annual bird survey near Bullfinch and was heading back to Freo. He’d been sleeping in his swag under the stars for a week and had clearly been using any fresh water for rehydrating rather than washing! Jazzy was pretty happy to discover her own pool of freshwater on top of the rock.
A team effort: flying skills by Steve, composition by both of us, post-processing by me. Steve usually flies drones for 3D imaging, mapping, GIS etc so taking pretty pictures from above is a whole new thing for both of us.
It’s a week ago today we found ourselves in the small country town of Kellerberrin on the Great Eastern Highway. One moment we were standing on the dusty pavement as a road train trundled past on its way to Kalgoorlie, the next we were in a room, grand in its scale, and opulent in its contents, with warm hues, 14ft high ceilings and Mary and Joseph towering above us either side of the antique sideboard. We were in the home of artist, menswear designer and TAFE lecturer Robert McCaffrey. His home is a work of art in its own right - eclectic and diverse, it was an outward expression of all that is Robert.
Windrow burning can be seen all around the Wheatbelt at this time of year as the broad acre farmers prepare for seeding.
Rising before the sun to photograph the salt lake and salmon gums at first light.
When Veronica called Katrina to check she was home and there was no reply, she presumed her friend was having a sleep. We tried phoning again a little while later and discovered that Katrina, the oldest of the three friends at 91, was in her garden planting dozens of seedlings she’d been given and showing no sign of needing a nana nap.
Judith is the quietest of the three friends in Bruce Rock. She grew up in Narambeen just down the road. A gentle soul with sadness etched in her face but ready to smile and stay busy. It would seem her story is unknown to the Bruce Rock locals despite the close community.
