By Leanne Thompson
Over the weekend, a new KSCA collaboration kicked off in the Capertee Valley. Between the setting sun and the stars on Saturday night, the first of a number of cultural and community gatherings took place at Warramba in Glen Alice.
140 people turned out to be social, supportive, but also inquisitive. The guest speaker was Peter Hazel from the Mulloon Institute. He discussed the journey undertaken by Mulloon Creek farm to implement Natural Sequence Farming principles and how this change in agricultural philosophy flowed out across neighbouring properties. Farmers began to work together to repair eroded waterways and rehydrate the soils. This restoration of the physical floodplain also had a profound impact within the valley community, acting like a flood pulse that catalysed common purpose and mutual benefit.
The movie ‘2040’, directed by Damon Gameau, followed with a glimpse into what might be possible if we wholeheartedly embrace great solutions that are already being used in the world. Regenerative farmer from NSW, Colin Seis, features in the segment on agriculture and offered more food for thought about possibilities for the landscape around us. Georg Mertens and Heathcliffe Auchinachie set the tone for the evening with their beautiful music on cello and guitar and I installed a light sculpture to evoke a feeling of festivity, but also to focus the gathering’s attention on the waterway - Emu Creek - in our midst.
Over a couple of days I got to know Emu Creek very well. This little stretch where it crosses Warramba is a haven for life in this drought-stricken time. The cumbungi (bullrush) is dense and vibrant, full of ferns, critters, dragonflies and most importantly holding water in a slow flow. The installation is just a taste of the art that will be made around places for water in the valley in collaboration with the community. This work uses bamboo, glass, copper and LED’s and is powered by solar panels.
There are many collaborators and partners involved in this project, which is called Weaving Water: Capertee Valley Landcare, Cementa, Wentworth Healthcare, Lithgow Council, the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program, the Rural Arts Fund and many volunteers. The project aims to consider the whole valley and community perspectives on water, land and wellbeing, but there will be much more on this later as the journey unfolds over 12 months.
Thanks to Edwinda and Neil for access, Kerrie Cooke for a helping hand and Alex Wisser for the stunning photographs.
