Newsletters from Wiluna

Hi Everyone,
I arrived in Wiluna at lunchtime on Friday and luckily, Heather was able to collect me herself. I settled in over the weekend, doing Saturday shopping at the supermarket (an experience in itself), walking around the streets late one afternoon evening and through the scrub into the old town another.
Thunder storms brought some great rain and everything looks green again. Heather’s bouganvilleas are a picture, but the poor small citrus trees suffered over summer and need lots of TLC.
We attended a multicultural dinner on Sunday evening, organized by the shire community development officer. Only 6 households turned up; everyone took something to share so we made vegetable curry puffs. The entertainment was obligatory participation in children’s games – musical chairs, a clapping game called concentration and a chasing game called Dog & a Bone. Not my cup of tea; so after slipping in a puddle, I used my very wet trousers and undies as a good reason to excuse myself.
After Heather went to work at 7:45 on Monday, I pottered about the place, doing domestic chores, weeding around one orange tree and digging a compost trench where I will later plant vegies.
Basil Hall from Darwin, arrived by the morning plane from Perth to conduct printing workshops with the artists. We prepared lino, wood blocks and paper, ready for much activity. The 4 artists who came in, promised to return in the afternoon today, but no one arrived. After all our work since Basil arrived, we hope that the rest of the week will bring lots of creative production and plenty of photos too.
It was lovely to receive messages and calls from family and friends on this special day and I thank you all with love and hugs.
On Tuesday the artists came and they were keen to begin woodcut prints. Because they are all at the same stage in their work, they had to wait their turn, so some who had complex designs left earlier than they ought. Hopefully they will be patient tomorrow when they see the success of 2 colours so far on some prints. Basil, Heather and I ran out one at a time for a quick bite of lunch. If we had all left, the artists would have lost enthusiasm and maybe not return tomorrow. That is always a concern in communities.
Tonight we went to a mine dining room for dinner in a group of about 12 shire and agency people. Magellan Mines P/L is along the Meekatharra road and we enjoyed a bottle of red with the tasty and filling meal. 3 courses were available and some of the blokes went back for seconds and thirds.
Love to you all, Susie.