It is the weight of the heat that I struggle to bear
a relentless oppressiveness that burns my skin
I am surrounded by its stillness its density
dehydration works from the outside in
my surface is sweaty gritty debris
constant exposure is to wither
and shade is no relief
at 48 degrees the sun
robs me of my water
a remorseless thief
Tonight I accepted this Award for the Walking and Rolling Together Project I led for Victoria Walks. It has been a privilege working with the awesome Victoria Walks team and recently retired EO Ben Rossiter. It has been a privilege to co-design and co-audit with so many people living with disability, their families and carers. Collaborating with Scope Australia, DSRV, RSV, RSAs GippSport, Sport North East and Valley Sport made all the necessary statewide connections possible. To the State Government of Victoria and Department of Sport and Recreation thank you for recognising our vision and funding it not once, but twice.
A closing statement: there are still many good people out there doing many very good things. Join them.
For the past three years I have had the pleasure of leading the Walking and Rolling Together project for identifying, assessing, photographing and describing potential accessible walking / rolling paths across our wonderful state of Victoria.
Victoria Walks’ unique audit tool, developed and co-designed by people with disability, and its application to the co-auditing process by and for people with disability, has resulted in seventy metro, regional and rural accessible walking / rolling paths being published as digital accessible walking / rolling maps.
We have made the audit tool free to download and use for discovering more accessible walking and rolling paths. It would be applicable anywhere in the world.
The project is coming to a close. People with disability and carers can now look up an accessible walking / rolling map and find out all about the accessible features. We are promoting this work as far and wide as we can to encourage everyone to share the accessible walking maps, to get outdoors and to enjoy nature.
We have created this resource for everyone. There is no doubt, walking and rolling can deliver amazing experiences as well as great health and wellbeing outcomes.
I love the part
played by public art
for the stories it tells
for the stories that well
for what it says about us
in artists we trust
Photography days #36.
Words and photo are my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
My canoe
nothing else to do
just paddle away
enjoy the day
my canoe
Photography days #35.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Walking Boundary Hill Road in dappled sun
from the Mannas and Blue Gums lining the run
the trees are magnificent and so is the landscape
when you are walking here the feeling is great
Photography days #30.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
black swan glides smoothly by
ancient red gums standing high
take a breath let out a sigh
enjoy the moment no asking why
Photography days #28.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
This pardalote resides near the ground
a nest, burrow or embankment
"sleep dee dee" is its call
a sighting generates excitement
Photography days #27.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Melbourne’s Yarra River and embankment can be busy places. I have published some of these photos before, but thought this group made a nice new set.
It's the river that binds
Melbourne's spreading towers
to the city
and when the weather is good
it looks oh so pretty!
Photography days #26.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
At the close of day
He looks around and says
Today was a very good day
Because on another day to come
This bare hill will be a forest of trees
Photography days #22.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
This picnic table had a great view of the sea
but it was what was behind that distracted me
when I turned these twisted elongated branches
were reaching at me with strong twiggy pincers
their prehensile limbs moving into my space
their sinister demeanour put a frown on my face
I was sure as I sat that these ti-trees did creep
I was sure as I sat that my body they did seek
before being encased in the arms of these woods
I got up and ran while I felt I still could
Poetry days #24.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Friendship is like oxygen.
Photography days #18.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Millions of hectares and more
under the scorching sun
the ripening crop a massive store
of protein again begun
drying off yellowing
all one plant just one
finally ready for harvesting
ton after ton after ton
wheat rain heat
rain heat wheat
repeat
Poetry days #19.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
This ancient place
of an ancient race
is nature's gallery
viewed from a balcony
Photography days #16
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
A dreamy filter diffuses the sun
path, walking and sun all become one
the foliage the light the green and the gold
wombolano morning a sight to behold
Photography days #12.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Photography days #11.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
for the clearest view
here's what to do
climb the highest mountain
to just above the snowline
where the trees fade away
on a clear blue day
Photography days #10.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
There is a garden in the Dandenong Ranges
I call it Alfred Nick
after its long departed owner
who bequeathed it to our state
There are many gardens in the Ranges
but this one is the pick
of autumnal Ranges' splendour
vivid colour above
below lying thick
I drive the winding roads most every autumn
with camera in my hand
at the gates I pause
deeply breathe crisp mountain air
in anticipation of trees so grand
there is a lake in the Ranges
in the garden I call Alfred Nick
in autumn leaves make artful arrangements
on the surface
ephemeral so be quick
in this magical place full of growth and life
the photography is opportunistic
where human design and nature's creations
blend native, exotic and mystic
where ethereal mists linger and clear
for ambient blur and clarity rarely seen
in one place at one time
without ever repeating
every visit is unique
every visit is a joy
every vista a delight
reigniting the spark in
every nature loving
man, woman, girl and boy
For this week’s dVerse prompt Punam has asked we poets to write of autumn. My favourite season. The prompt speaks of love, so I present one of my autumn loves – Alfred Nicholas Gardens in Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
A gallery of 10 images. To see each full image click on any photo, then click the arrows to scroll.
Photography days #08.
All work is my own and copyright. I do not use AI or wish for AI to use my work.
A gallery of 8 images. Click on a photo to view the full image, then click the arrows to scroll.
Photography days #07. Laverton Air Show.
All work is my own. I do not use AI.
A rainbow cast its arcing spell
across the horizon from hill to dell
sweet colours did the people see
I saw an enchanted mystery
from where I stood the vivid arch
did move as I moved across the path
no matter how I tried to catch its base
it slipped from me with every pace
I could not solve this riddle before me
for it faded, just as magically
as it appeared in pastel splendour
and so my query had to end there
Poetry days #03.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
poetography.ink 