The Wild Reed: Australian Sojourn

Thursday, May 16, 2024

Australian Sojourn – April-May 2024

Part 4: Family Time in Melbourne, Guruk, and Gunnedah

Above: With my mum, Margaret Bayly (née Sparkes), in Port Macquarie (Guruk) – Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

My 2024 Australian sojourn continues! . . .

After our visit to Hanging Rock on Wednesday, May 1, my friend Kate and I parted ways. We had spent a wonderful week in Newtown, the Southern Highlands, Batemans Bay, and Goulburn. But now it was time for Kate to make her way back to Sydney and, in time, Minnesota, and for me to catch-up with my family. It was a time of reconnection that started with my taking the train to Melbourne from the little town of Woodend, close to Hanging Rock.

After a lovely five days with family there, I caught a flight to Port Macquarie (via Sydney) where my mum lives. And just this past weekend, mum and I travelled to our hometown of Gunnedah where we caught up with a number of family members and friends, along with my Aunt Ruth’s two Italian greyhounds! (right).

Following are some images of my family time in Melbourne, Guruk (Port Macquarie), and Gunnedah.

In Melbourne I stayed with my oldr brother Chris and his partner Viv (left). I also caught up with the many young people in my life for whom I’m uncle and great-uncle, including my two great-nephews Ramy and Jacob (above and below).

On Tuesday, May 7, I flew from Melbourne to Port Macquarie (above) via Sydney.

For the Birrbay, the Indigenous people of the area, the New South Wales coastal town of Port Macquarie is known as Guruk.

My parents moved to Port Macquarie from our hometown of Gunnedah in 2002. Dad passed in 2019 but mum still lives in Port and we’ve been enjoying our time together since I arrived from Melbourne last Tuesday.

Above and below: Guruk landscapes.

Above: The rock platform at the south end of Port Macquarie’s Town Beach which is a very special place for me.

Above: Mum at the look-out in our hometown of Gunnedah – Friday, May 10, 2024.

Gunnedah and its surrounding area were originally inhabited by Indigenous Australians who spoke the Kamilaroi (Gamilaraay) language. The area now occupied by the town was settled by Europeans in 1833. Through my maternal grandmother’s family, the Millerds, my family can trace its connection to Gunnedah back to the town’s earliest days. For more about the town’s history and my family’s connection to it, see the previous Wild Reed posts, My “Bone Country” and Journey to Gunnedah.

Above: With mum, my Aunt Ruth, and our family friends Denise, Wendy, and Gary – Saturday, May 11, 2024.

Right: Henry and Lewis, my first cousins, once removed.

Above: With (from left) mum, Wendy (seated), Denise, my cousin Emily, and Gary – Saturday, May 11, 2024.

Above: Standing across from the Gunnedah Town Hall with my childhood friend and neighbor Jillian. In the summer of 2018, Jillian and her husband David visited me in Minneapolis. For some pics of their time there, click here.

Above:Visiting long-time family friends Delores and Peter – Saturday, May 11, 2024.

Above: With Bella and Betty, my Aunt Ruth’s two Italian greyhounds.

Above: Mum (second from left) with longtime family friend Heather (left) and relatives Joan and Matthew – Saturday, May 11, 2024.

Above: With school friends Mick and David – Saturday, May 11, 2024. I’m pretty sure I was in every class from kindergarten (1971) to Year 12 (1983) with David! 😄

Above: Gingers Creek, a rest stop and “bush resort” in the mountains between Wauchope and Walcha.

When travelling between Port Macquarie and Gunnedah, a stop at Gingers Creek for coffee, a toasted sandwich, and/or a sweet treat has become a tradition for mum and I.