Whispers from Three Heartlands: A Journey of Nature and Humanity

This collection is a meditation on the garden that is my woodland sanctuary nestled atop the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. Sheltered by towering silver-top eucalypts, it’s a place where the dwindling presence of insects, birds, reptiles, and other animals serves as a stark reminder of habitat loss and harsh environmental shifts.

In contrast, the vibrant pulse of Melbourne’s St Kilda by the bay offers a different kind of inspiration. Beachcombing along the shore, exploring hidden laneways and bustling markets, I observe the intricate dance of human interaction - the shared joys, anxieties, and conflicts that define community. The unseen lives of rodents and foxes, both native and introduced species, continue their silent dramas around me.

Finally, Port Macquarie, my soul country, beckons with its ocean beaches and rocky headlands. Here, I spend weeks each year watching dolphins and whales breach the waves, and observing the graceful movements of pelicans, herons, and brush turkeys. These three places—the Blue Mountains, St Kilda, and Port Macquarie—are the heartlands that shape my perspective and inspire my words.