Paint tripping

Painting everyday myself I would love to take you on my day trips. You can see the distinctive granite and eucalypt countryside here, set up an easel and paint the hours away. You will have a tangible memory with you always.

All paint, an easel and a stool will be supplied. Just bring yourself and your lunch. We can collect you and drop you home. You can come for a day or a half day. If coming for a half day you will need your own transport.

Choose one or all trips. Choose the one/s you are interested in.

Cost:  $200 per day. $150 per half day.


Trips:

1.  Wooldridge Recreation and Fossicking Reserve, rocky River
2. Apsley Wild Rivers National Park waterfall
3. Dangar Falls and Gorge
4.  Mount Yarrowyck Nature Reserve and Aboriginal Rock Art Site
5.  Gostyck Chapel
6.  Racecourse Lagoon

The area:

The New England Tablelands were formed by the uplift of granite and adamelite intrusions ap- proximately 250 million years ago. They extended from Stanthorpe in southern Queensland to the Moonbi Range north of Tamworth. The process of erosion formed a large, relatively level table- land dissected on the eastern edge by the escarpment line and encroaching gorges such as Apsley and Wollomombi. In some locations, the closure of natural drainage areas by sediments gradually formed shallow wetlands, swamps and lagoons such as Dangar‟s Lagoon.
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According to the book titled “Everywhere I Go” written by Myles Lalor and Jeremy Beckett (2000), Myles claims that his Great Great Grandfather was named King Billy (Anaiwan Aboriginal Elder of the Uralla District).  Myles is on my family tree, so both of us would have the same relationship to King Billy.

The tokenistic kingship entailed the leading Elder of a clan being presented with a brass plaque mounted to a belt.  This particular practice was implemented throughout most parts of Australia.  

During the 1800’s, the whole idea of this exercise was to keep law and order within the ranks of the Aboriginal people by the Europeans.  As a result the King (Aboriginal Elder) was the keeper of the peace within his own clan plus the colonists, in other words he was a bridge builder between the two nations.  There were several groups of Anaiwan custodians within the Uralla District.  One particular clan was allocated 100 acres of land on the banks of the Kentucky Creek on the 12.12.1886, two kilometers west of Uralla.  The said land was revoked in 1936.  The residents were moved onto an Aboriginal reserve in which comprised of 14 acres on the west end of Uralla, hence the village was named West End.  There was approximately 12 shacks utilized by 15 families.  The dwellings were constructed of corrugated iron, plus second grade waste timber.  There was no running water or electricity. Gully springs were the main supply of water, candles were utilized for lights.

There was a tragic house fire on the reserve on 18.10.1965, where seven people were incinerated. After this happening the occupants of West End gradually relocated within the town of Uralla.  

The 1970’s were the last years of macro discrimination (meaning open and blatant segregations, such as Aboriginals weren’t allowed service in hotels, theatres, swimming pools and higher education). We now live in the micro model, where discrimination is almost hidden.  However, the Anaiwan people of Uralla (including myself) were fortunate to attend the central school plus live in the town, as there was very little, if any, discrimination from the mainstream townspeople and teacher.  This particular harmony was achieved by our clan marrying into the mainstream of Uralla, therefore, we are related to most of the residents within our establishment.  

Uralla – comes from the Aboriginal word “oorala” meaning meeting place or camp.