Wallabies, Peacocks and Dromkeen

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

 

Photo: Proof of the peacock! He was wandering about the goat pen on Saturday so I fed him some wild bird seed. Here he is!

 

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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Comments

  1. Sharon Greenaway Loved the peaceful feel to this post, and of course the sadness of Dromkeen
    October 10, 2012 at 10:08 pm · Reply
    • Corinne Fenton
      corinne Thank you Sharon for your lovely comments.
      October 17, 2012 at 7:58 am · Reply
  2. Chris Bell Great post, Corinne. Though it is so sad to know Dromkeen is being sold. I remember my very first visit in the nineties, together with my family, and our delight in what seemed a magical place for not only for me as an aspiring writer but for children and readers of all ages. It wasn't just the collections and artwork, but the whole atmosphere. I went home inspired and loved each of my return visits over the years. (It was always a huge thrill to see the peacocks, especially those times they put on a show like in pic 3.) Chris
    October 13, 2012 at 2:08 pm · Reply
    • Corinne Fenton
      corinne Yes it is a magical place, Chris and hopefully will always remain so. Thank you.
      October 17, 2012 at 7:57 am · Reply
  3. Kaye Baillie It was a special day at Dromkeen and so lovely to see you there, Corinne. I read that it passed in at auction and is for sale now. Some lucky person will get it one day - how I love the whole place and its surrounds - dreamy. Will miss it a lot.
    October 24, 2012 at 7:15 pm · Reply
    • Corinne Fenton
      corinne It certainly was, Kaye.
      October 31, 2012 at 5:30 pm · Reply

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