PHOTOGRAPHY

A New Life For Me

A change of SEEnery for myself and co. A life of 'caring' in the bush.

 On our move out to our new home and job, the water lapped at our heals. Flooding from ex-cyclone Oswald had cut the road out of the property within only hours of us arriving, a sign of good things to come in this out-the-back location?

Definately has proven to be so.

 And now, the next chapter continues; discovery, delight, dust and lots of birds!

Love Jem.

PHOTOGRAPHY/QUOTE

Sunset from a cow paddock at Woodford

Photography by Jemma Darlington

"We must be willing to let go of the life we planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us."

- Joseph Campbell

PHOTOGRAPHY

Sunrise at Lake Cootharaba

Photography by Jemma Darlington

ART

LIVE art [BY Jem.]

Photography by Jemma Darlington

The above painting was created as a Live art piece for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society fundraiser, Ocean's Rhapsody at Melba's on the Gold Coast.

This above picture is of the half completed piece, and features a Minke Whale, a specied which is the main target of the illegal whaling activities within the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.

Funds raised from the auction of this painting (when completed featured contributions from Sea Shepherd crew members answering the question "What does the sea mean to you?') went straight into Sea Shepherd's 9th Antarctic whale defence campaign, Operation Zero Tolerance.

FILM

Kiwi's Against Seabed Mining

www.kasm.org.nz

MUSING

A POPPY Before Rememberance Day

10th November 2012

Image by Jemma Darlington

My Mother's first ever planting of Poppy seeds, has birthed it's first stunningly elegant red Poppy. This still, grey morning; the morn' before the day we stop to pay respects to the men and woman (and children, animals and the Earth) who have suffered at the hands of war.

It has only just in the last few weeks, after reading a personal, historical record of an Australian's experience of World War I as a child, that my heart has come to understand the burden and sacrifice of such makings of man. Previously war had just been a thing that they made us learn about when I was in school. 

But I am at a point in my life where I am begining to understand such things as leaving ones life, love and home to answer the call of the Country, to then go and undertake huge personal sacrifice (often of limb and life), to murder and pillage in the name of life.

A poem by Judith Wright:

Soldier's Farm

This ploughland vapoured with the dust of dreams,

these delicate gatherings of dancing trees,

answered the question of his searching eyes

as his wife's body answered to his arms.

He let the whole gold day pass in a stare,

walking the turning furrow. The horses drew

his line straight where the shakesword corn should grow.

He, lurching mooncalf, let his eyes stride far.

They stooped across the swell and sink of hill;

made record of the leaves that played with light.

The mist was early and the moon was late,

and in between he stared his whole day full.

He asked for nothing but the luck to live,

so now his willing blood moves in these trees

that hold his heart up sunwards with their arms.

The mists dissolve at morning like his dreams

and the creek answered light as once his eyes;

and yet he left here nothing but his love.

Image by Jemma Darlington

MUSING

A Dream Not For Me

by Jemma Darlington

I’ve come to experience a dream, live the life of idols.

A welcoming home, friendly smiles; attune to the gentle rhythm of life.

Colours worn proud, fuelled by passion and tramping souls.

But my heart wanders…

Back over the green pastures and mountainous clouds which rolled on and on and on. Back through a busy terminal and navigating the relentless queues of metal ants.

Back to meet the soul, which I do so pine for. Back to continue our journey through magical lands.

Is it here where I stand to fight? Is it here where my strength lies?

My longing only inspires me to return and stand my ground, on the land where I do flourish. With the birds, and the sea spray, the treasures along the way. Where the wildflowers bloom, singing in tune with the radiant sun. Where Earth is nurtured and protected.

My destiny lies before me, and today it is clear. That I am not meant to serve my duty here. I shall create a life, where connection is ripe and I can still hold my love tight. Mother Earth, for her I will fight, just not on a ship journeying into the light.

IN LOVING MEMORY

IN LOVING MEMORY

Daphne Rosina Darlington

5th Feburary 1937 - 7th September 2012

I walked into Nature's Garden,

Springs beauty was sewn.

The trees and bees,

Blossums and birds devine.

I walked into Nature's Garden,

Earth's creation is shown.

The lock and keys to life's mysteries,

Reveal to me in time.

As I walked through Nature's Garden,

Memories of kinship unite.

Freedom wings eco through time,

Gracing day and stalking night.

I sat in Nature's Garden,

Trinkets and tottems strewn in the sand.

Dainty little wrens appear,

Flitting and cherping as they land.

I am now Nature's Garden,

Through me Earth shall speak.

Strengthened now is my love,

Her ways I do seek.

May you rest now in Nature's Garden,

The burden of body and mind has come to pass.

Spirit continue with your journey,

May you be in peace at last.

"My Dear Grandmother, may you sit amoungst

 the flowers you adored so much.

Embrace the Spring, as it brings rebirth.

Rest your soul for now you are free."

 

- Jem.

EDUCATION/ENVIRONMENT

Bob's Mission

Bob Brown talking on Ten News about his involvment with the Sea Shepherd Operation Kimberly Miinimbi

and the issue of the 'super trawler', the Abel Tasman.

EVENT

Community picnic rally a success!

Photograph by Jemma Darlington

 

Organised by the Friends of Kinaba steering committee, the picnic day held on Saturday the 25^th of August at Kinaba (Sir Thomas Hiley) Information Centre, was to reinforce the community’s dedication to keeping Kinaba open to the public and continuing its duty as gateway to the Noosa Everglades (a.k.a Upper Noosa River).

Kinaba Information Centre is a weathered building on the northern shores of Lake Cootharaba, a 15 minute boat ride from Boreen Point, Noosa. In July last year, a proposal was submitted to the Department of Resource Management (which currently maintains the Information Centre) for the Friends of Kinaba community group to maintain and upkeep the iconic building, under the supervision of National Parks Rangers.

The Friends of Kinaba are a collection of local residents and others who are concerned the Kinaba Information Centre is deteriorating and would like to volunteer to repair and carry out ongoing maintenance. In June 2011 following rumours the building was going to tender, a public meeting was called and a formal proposal drafted and sent to The Department of Resource Management in the following month of July. It is the vision of the Friends of Kinaba to keep this unique building available to the public as an Information and Interpretative Centre. 

Kinaba holds great value to the community as not only being the source of 30 years of history for the Noosa Region, but it also serves its duty as gateway to the Noosa Everglades within the Great Sandy National Park (Cooloola area).

This unique and pristine environment, of which the Kinaba building is a part of, has been treasured by biologists, adventurers and nature-lovers alike. The building serves as a comfortable rest point for travellers (including clients of small local businesses) to and from the Noosa Everglades, and provides vital information to visitors of the National Park.

 

 
 

 

More Information:

Friends of Kinaba - Please visit www.kinaba.org

Noosa Everglades/Great Sandy National Park - here