Happy New Year.
It’s about 8am and I’m sitting out the front of mums house. I wish there was a way to capture this all, in a candle or one photo could prompt the feelings that come with a moment or memories. The birds are singing, there are flies crawling all over me, the air is fresh, the sun is shining and other than the sound of the breeze, I cannot hear anything else until mum or I speak or the litter patter of the animals moving about their day, or the flies deciding to mate right along-side me, no care for privacy. The view of openness, the haphazardly placed houses, familiar but changed sights of houses I used to be able to name. So and so lived there, so and so….. and now as I look around, I can pick the houses that are abandoned, unoccupied or left to the dismay of her environment. Front doors left open, or half kicked in doors, cars that seem to have never moved, broken windows, much of the state of my sights unchanged, how I always remember them, a kopi mound here, cliff face there, mining machines decades unused, piles of wood for the project 'one day', the air shaft with the top spinning in the mornings gentle breeze, the sky untainted with the sounds of it’s rust and undoubted groan as it shifts from one side to another, I am so excited to get out bush. The only obvious change in the environment I can see, is the size of the trees and plants I know, along with the new garden and new plants which weren’t there before eft, a beautiful place to be. I’m still surprised to see such a big palm do well here.
(Later)…
The sounds of Andamooka. The silence and tranquility has started to disappear for the day as we wake more, while still there, the noises are becoming. Making my way to the outside toilet I wondered where the water was on. Did I leave a tap on somewhere? Oh no, that’s right, the washing machine is on, announcing itself with the sound of the water pump drowning and immersing the shed with it’s motor, then it stops, but just for a few brief moments, and there it is again, playing a game of repeat until silence again. Part of me expects to hear it again but it doesn’t come. Just as i think it’s finished, the sound of the draining water starts trickling into the buckets, the plants just know that’s their next shower. Then is the washing machine, slowly churning that final rinse, unencumbered by the sound of the pump. ‘Welcome home’ Andamooka says, you forgot, but this is what you needed. Andamooka is in the ‘now’, but i wonder how many people take these sounds for granted. I think i did, before I left. It was what I knew, thus just ‘was’, but after the hustle & bustle of the last 8 years, these sounds bring the most symphonic music to my ears. Life. This is what I needed. Andamooka brings a surprise to all those who visit. It imprints your soul in a way that only those know know, know. To reply with ‘Andamooka’ to the question of “where do you come from?” Leaves a pause of anticipation to the question bearer, there’s usually two responses. “Anda-what?” Or “I know that place”.
‘That place’, tucked away, one of the true gems of Australia. After taking a wander around, again, for the umpteenth time, seeing and finding new treasures everytime, I spot a pile of rocks on the top of an old wire reel often used as tables, one in particular catches my eye, plain almost perfect grey, smooth, cut open from another part, it’s old acquaintance nowhere to be found, with the beautiful blue that catches my eye, a thin vein, straight through the centre. I just HAVE to have a closer look, coz, that’s just what you do. I bend and collect it and making sure my tongue is moist, lick the rock to bring the incredible colours of Andamooka opal to life. I lick again, 4 times in total until the vein that goes around the entire rock is covered with my saliva. This is just how it’s done. It briefly crosses my mind about how many other people’s DNA I’ve just added to, before admiring the sparkles as I twist and turn the rock, then replace it for the next person to find and appreciate. Who knows, I might take a particular liking to this rock and list it a few more times before leave.
(The next day)…
I had an amazing time yesterday! Sitting in the shed at mums looking out, Creedence is playing in the background as the sound of multiple voices of different conversations cannot cover the unmistakable smack of the pool balls hitting one another as the white ball runs around the table, noted by the thump sound when a ball hits it with some force. You can count the time a ball hits the cush and goes around the table if you can listen closely. When I was a kid, I used to line the white ball up, then close my eyes and imagine where I’m aiming and the angle of direction the white ball is most likely to travel, then hit it, listening closely I track as best I can where the white ball is, using only the thump of the cush, then when I think the ball has stopped moving altogether, I have to guess where it is. As a child so young and always in the pub, I often played with the white ball as it was always left over, and while nobody was around to play, I would be gifted a lesson by one of the unexpected watchers of the pub that day. I was given tasks and challenges by whichever gift bearer offered to me, and with little else to do, I practiced, and practiced. I was playing, and then eventually I would find someone to play with and I began to put all that practice into real play. Then I come to Andamooka, and mum reminds me Bodgy Dave used to always tell us how to play and suddenly that memory is unlocked and resurfaces. Oh how many people I wish I could talk to again. The memories being unlocked and the feelings of peace, serenity, pure joy. Even taking photos, that pure spark of joy and pleasure taking place in my mind, body and soul. All areas communicating with each others in perfect harmony, making sure you’re able to get into that position just right, to get the angle. It’s angles again, like pool, just the right angle. Oh the feeling of photography is incredible, how did I so easily lose touch? I tried to make money. Freedom in photography is truly the key. Talking about angles earlier, I realised that’s why I love triangles so much. Then just now, I am setting the rack for pool, inside of a …. Triangle! Of COURSE, it’s in my life since was a kid. All these dots and the things connecting together, all with the possibility of a free mind able to run without interference of worldly hustle and bustle.
(The next day)…
I’ve often spoken of the sounds of Andamooka, okay, last night laying in the hammock looking at the stars, I saw light dance, ever so slightly, across the wooden beams, noticed only because it was do dark, that any change in the environment can be picked up with your eyes. As I watched I could tell there was a car somewhere driving around town, and just for a moment it was possible it was only us that were conscious while the rest of the town slept…. Confirmed (if i was maybe wrong) by the unmistakable sound of cars travelling a lonesome road in the night. Then this morning, as I once again sit in the hammock with my coffee (that mum made in the wrong cup…) I can hear through the peaks and troughs of wind someone mining. The beeping give it away, lots of reversing, then a break, then the diesel pushing through the engine as they put the accelerator down. Are they pushing dirt or digging it?? Hmm, may not be able to answer that one. So I was also inspired last night with photos and wanting to write and share something about Andamooka, another way to preserve it’s history, would be really cool to do a ‘Where’s Wally’ type book, as I was looking through my photos, I swore I could have used a few and with the idea find more and make a book. Then my creativity sparked another idea, what if we made a book, same concept but I took the photos and Bec drew them. That idea excites me so much. Can you imagine two creative heads from Andamooka doing that? It makes me giddy, I almost wanted to run straight up and tell Bec then, but I’ll have to catch her in ADL. Aside of this, I would love to do a photography book, my thoughts are loose, but ‘one take’ has been my challenge, and I keep going over the sights and sounds of Andamooka, it’s what I want to share. This is inspiration. I’ve never written this way, I don’t even know if I did on my honeymoon, I’ll have to send some postcards. One other thing I had forgotten is how f*cking sore my feet are from walking barefoot, keep losing my thongs, thankfully there’s still so much carpet around outside…. Yes, outside, but still ouchies with it ever-changing. Mums is like glamping!!! I love it.
(Later)…
Back from adventuring in the breezeway, Black Douglas in the best glass, and the best moment of the moment, is when Simon & Garfunkel comes on gently in the background. This is the epitome of peace in my heart. Mum introduced me to S&G, and listening to it reminds me of her. So many hours listening, drinking, smoking, playing cards, drinking, dancing, laying on the floor, all in mums lounge room.
(The next day)…
Went outbush with (name) and his friend, drove to chimney hole, but once we were out of town, I asked if he was ok for me to hang out the car. 'Don’t die', he hesitated, offering to drive slower. 'Don’t change how you’d drive mate, I got this!' The feeling of the wind in my face as the sound of wind traversing in & around my right ear filled me with joy I cannot describe. I didn’t have the option of standing in the back of a Ute, so sitting on the window out the car was a welcomed substitute. Watching the road, spotting the rough parts knowing I need to adjust my body so I don’t bounce around too much, with my feet on the ground of the car I stand as the ruts and crevices from rain is going to make it a litt rough then sit again as the road smooths out. After going to chimney hole and finding the perfect rock for the cairn, very proud of myself for that one. The sound of the slate rocks clanging under the car tyres stirs further warmth in my heart, sounds I had long forgotten but that I know so well, just by my ears, then remembering the sound of bushes scraping the underbody of the car, ooh trees, I reach out trying to grab leaves just like I did when I was a kid, missed it, try again, oh, I forgot how quick you have to be, but that sting of the leaves and branches whipping your hand as you drive past, the pain a pleasure rather than a complaint.
Kayleen
P.S - link to the project segment: Andamooka Is Australia's Cheapest Town To Buy A House - Network Ten (10play.com.au)