3rd Newsletter from Wiluna

Wiluna 3
Gidday at last!
After 12 days in the desert with a very mixed group of women, I am finally in the peace of Heather’s little house, enjoying mundane pleasures and loving the fact that we are no longer expected to rush to the aid of someone equally able to do whatever it is we are called on to do. The demands are always very simple :
“Tea; gimme … ; old girl – what dinner?; cooler on; cooler off (air con in the bus); toast; jam; eggs 3; coke; fanta; toilet paper; you carry; you bring me…; ………..mostly in shouts 
There were 6 artists and two young children (4 & 7!) and three are around 70. They had great difficulty getting up and down in the night and they all needed to – we were on duty 24 hours a day for the duration.
Heather arranged the artists’ trip and Sam, the CEO and her partner, Deb, the tourism officer, decided it would be good pd for them to come! They also invited a woman artist (Robin Dale) from Perth to illustrate the write up of the trip. She and I had the task of helping Heather with the artists and certainly Heather and I were constantly on the go. Nevertheless, it was an incredible journey and I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity. My written account will be published by the shire and I have hundreds of terrific photos.
We travelled via Leonora, Laverton. Tjukayirla Roadhouse to Warakurna, where we spent several days in backpackers’ accommodation. Unfortunately, our visit coincided with sorry business so there was not as much painting done as Heather had hoped. But they did one collaborative work with the local ladies and a few individual pieces. Heather had lots of fabulous chats with the Edwina, the Gallery manager, which was invaluable for her.
We were taken out to Walu country one day, led by acclaimed artist Mr Tom Mitchell in his Toyota. He pointed out rock holes and willy willy affected country that are the subject of his fabulous paintings. After digging out the bogged bus, we enjoyed a picnic lunch in a shady spot on his land.
At Blackstone, we were involved in the annual festival – Heather and I set up a fun beauty parlour and decorated the hair and nails of many locals. Robin sold second hand clothes that she and a Perth Op shop had sent up for the occasion. The art work in Blackstone is also amazing and Anthony, the Gallery Manager was again a great help to Heather. We were invited out to a clay pan where we watched ladies traditional dances and we were thrilled to be invited to learn 2 dances with them. What a privilege. Staying altogether in one room of an unused child care centre / kindergarten, was an experience in itself and many midnight giggles and whispered comments accompanied the incredible human orchestral sounds within whose clouds we lay.
We called at Singing Rocks on the way out of Blackstone – a sacred site with rock paintings and musical tors which rang when struck by tossed rocks. This was the site of the original Blackstone community when the people moved away from Warburton in the 70’s.
We stayed at a roadhouse in Warburton and our last night on the road was at Laverton Downs Station, where we were actually served a delicious 3 course meal in the old homestead. What bliss!!!!! No cooking and washing up. Everyone accommodated in different groups in rooms!!!!!
Yay.
For the last few days, after helping to scour the bus, I have been writing up the journey for a publication for the shire. Hope it is received with appropriate acceptance!!
Tomorrow, Friday, May 15, Heather and I are going to Lake Ballard to see the amazing Gormley sculptures and back to Gwalia to stay in Hoover House for 2 nights. We are keen to fossick at Gwalia, since reading Roland R’s autobiography. Hopefully, Leonora will provide good food shopping opportunities to stock up Heather’s pantry, since the shop at Wiluna is the most pathetic excuse for a shop that one could imagine. Empty shelves all through all the time are the go. Must be a bit like shopping in Russia, Judy. I also hope to catch the PO on our way through tomorrow, since the one here is not reliable. I have some stuff to post home and I want it to arrive in Mitcham.
The time here has flown, I can’t believe I go next Wednesday. Lots to do before then.
Love and hugs to you all
Susie