Reading ……………………..19 to

Bazza sat on the stool at the end of the long bar in the pub at Tibooburra and removed his mask as a cold schooner greeted him from the young Irish bar a endant.

Above him, was an imposing self portrait mural of the ar st Cli on Pugh pain ng a reddish brown landscape. Pugh used to own the pub and, other murals, by fellow ar sts such as Russel Drysdale could be admired whilst having a beer.

There were no labels highligh ng the significance of the ar sts and the security of the artwork was guaranteed by the brick wall ‘canvas’. It was all odd, unassuming but highly appealing. He took a long drink and scanned the bar. The locals were weather beaten but were outnumbered by the tourists, many on a la e tour of western NSW, but all pleased to be away from the lockdowns on the east coast. Bazza reflected on his own travels.

From Broken Hill he had cut across to Menindee and appreciated the near full lakes with bird life and desert blooms rejoicing the rare event. The Darling River in its pure wonder had delivered life from a journey of thousands of kilometres at walking pace, taking many months, from the channel country in Queensland.

The na onal debate about the Murray Darling basin was about as clear as his understanding of Bitcoin, un l a farmer provided some insight. It was more than just too many water licences beyond the capacity of the river to deliver constantly each year, but the seeming innocuous building of a levy bank here and there to divert and hold the water for longer. Mul ply those levy banks by the thousands and the course and volume of the river changes, with all the impact that some mes grab the nightly news. He soothed his thoughts with a sip from his schooner. Like every other tourist he ba led the dust and corruga ons in the road for the trip from Tibooburra to Cameron’s Corner. The absurdity of driving for near three hours to have a look at three imaginary state borders mee ng, pre y much symbolised a lack of understanding of the spiritual pull this land must have to Indigenous Australians. The building of a pub on the spot pre y much capped it off. On the way back he stopped for a long apprecia on of the vastness and colours the fading sun caressed, holding genera on upon genera ons of stories, some remembered, many untold.

This day trip was very much a case of the journey outdoing the des na on. Bazza picked up the pamphlet for NAIDOC Week on the bar and read the theme; ‘Heal Country - calls for all of us to seek greater protec ons for our lands, our waters, our sacred sites and our cultural heritage from exploita on, desecra on, and destruc on.’

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018

Vol 16 September 15th 2017 Vol 28 December 7th, 2017 Vol 48 April 27th 2018

Sep 11th - Moruya Rockin’ Roots & Reggae at Moruya Waterfront - Orphan Music presents a celebra on of Rock, Roots & Reggae w/ 3 of Australia’s most entertaining bands at the iconic Moruya Waterfront Hotel. One night ONLY 19Twenty, Waikama & Roshani! Tickets are strictly limited.