THE COUNTRY IN ME

Binnaway is in central NSW, about seven or so hours of constant driving from Sydney. You cross the Blue Mountains to Lithgow, take the Mudgee Road and then head northwest to Gulgong and Coolah. I taught in Binnaway for two years, using some of this time to continue learning to play the guitar and sing songs, as well as dabble with song writing. The songs I was writing at this time were very much influenced by the place where I was living.

Rosedale

In the second year at Binnaway, I lived on my own in a rundown farm labourer’s cottage called Rosedale. They were pretty basic living conditions with no hot water, little furniture or floor coverings and no door locks to secure the cottage. However, there were plenty of opportunities to just take to the surrounding paddocks and hills, and explore. On weekends I wrote, read, drew pictures of the countryside and played my guitar. It was during this time that a deep appreciation for the country and its small towns was nurtured.

During my first year in Binnaway, I bought a portable record player so that I could listen to my records. At the beginning of my second year, I purchased a portable cassette recorder. This became invaluable for my song writing, as well as allowing me to collect poems and songs performed by others.

While in Binnaway I met up with a local minister named Angus Ewin. Angus lived in Coonabarabran and had an infectious love of Australian poetry and song. He kindly lent me some wonderful recordings to listen to, furthering my growing enthusiasm for Australian folk songs. He also encouraged my song writing.