Wallabies, Peacocks and Dromkeen
10 Oct, 2012 | What's happening in my writing life
On Monday I took my daily walk along a different path to a different destination, Black Flat reserve, which is part of Warrandyte State Park. A friend and I were warming up our limbs and vocals, seemingly alone, when on the track ahead of us stood a little brown wallaby, watching and waiting.
We stopped and I told him how handsome he was, also asking if he’d mind remaining still while I took his photo. A moment after the photo was snapped he took off into the bush disappearing so quickly that we would be wondering if he’d been there at all, if it wasn’t for the proof. I’ve tried to work out what kind of wallaby this one was, but there are so many types it’s impossible for me to tell.
There is a mob of darker-coloured wallabies that occasionally come sweeping through our backyard on their way down to Pound Bend, but I haven’t seen them for quite a while.
Nor have I seen our wandering Court peacock
for some time but on Sunday when I visited Riddells Creek to join the children’s book illustrating and writing community to say goodbye to Dromkeen, as we know it, the resident peacocks were on full show.
I am wondering what will happen to that beautiful and special place, with it’s gracious house and gardens, sweeping lawns and palpable memories of all those who have been part of her. And what will happen to the peacocks?
None of us who knew her will ever forget Kay Keck’s love of the place and all it represented.
The auction is Saturday afternoon October 13 and all we can do is hope that whoever buys it takes good care of it and appreciates what it has meant to creators and the children’s book community. Like so many others, I wish I had the money to buy it.
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