The creative kindness of strangers brightens a lockdown walk in the Wonthaggi Westlands.
Words and photos by Morgan Blackthorne.
Words and photos by Morgan Blackthorne.
By Morgan Blackthorne
WE HAD been in the grip of the pandemic for months, and the faces of strangers in the street - usually so quick to smile in response - were sombre: it seemed no-one wanted to lock eyes for fear of catching THE Virus.
My partner and I had just finished running the gauntlet of shopping at our busy supermarket, where the fear of catching COVID 19 was palpable – especially then, before face coverings were mandatory. We decided to walk in the Wonthaggi Wetlands to de-stress.
As we were enjoying this beautiful park, watching out for our favourite little flashes of deep blue and bright red from the blue wrens and fire tails, we noticed a new source of colour hanging in the trees: little works of art, with notes saying that they were free to take home. We felt full of joy and gratitude.
Three months later, and things had taken a dramatic turn: we were in lockdown, again! The virus seems to be spiralling out of control in Melbourne, and we were anxious, too.
Luckily, we have the Wonthaggi Wetlands. This time there was no sign of our colourful little feathered friends to cheer us. But we were in for another wonderful surprise: we discovered the magical 'Wetlands Cubbie'.
Thank you to the wonderful Wonthaggians responsible for these moments of joy.
WE HAD been in the grip of the pandemic for months, and the faces of strangers in the street - usually so quick to smile in response - were sombre: it seemed no-one wanted to lock eyes for fear of catching THE Virus.
My partner and I had just finished running the gauntlet of shopping at our busy supermarket, where the fear of catching COVID 19 was palpable – especially then, before face coverings were mandatory. We decided to walk in the Wonthaggi Wetlands to de-stress.
As we were enjoying this beautiful park, watching out for our favourite little flashes of deep blue and bright red from the blue wrens and fire tails, we noticed a new source of colour hanging in the trees: little works of art, with notes saying that they were free to take home. We felt full of joy and gratitude.
Three months later, and things had taken a dramatic turn: we were in lockdown, again! The virus seems to be spiralling out of control in Melbourne, and we were anxious, too.
Luckily, we have the Wonthaggi Wetlands. This time there was no sign of our colourful little feathered friends to cheer us. But we were in for another wonderful surprise: we discovered the magical 'Wetlands Cubbie'.
Thank you to the wonderful Wonthaggians responsible for these moments of joy.