Balnarring Jetty Mornington Peninsula for Water H2O Thurday

 

I have spent the past few days in a state of unrelenting toil, as if bound to some cruel taskmaster. The town in which I find myself—Mingham in New South Wales—is a place seemingly forsaken. There is no supermarket, no fast-food outlet, not even a solitary restaurant to offer relief. The unit I occupy is tainted with mould; dampness clings to the walls, and the bed linens, upon first touch, were sticky and sullied, as though long neglected. The local health service is scarcely better, staffed so poorly that it recalls the worst of neglected nursing homes. Fate, it seems, has played a bitter jest, offering hardship in abundance, comfort in none.

Yet, amidst this weariness, I have managed to compose a few posts, a small defiance against the exhaustion that presses upon me, before returning to endure the remainder of the shift.

In my mind, I often escape to a place long cherished: Balnarring Jetty, that weathered pier of Victoria. Its creaking boards, the gentle undulation of water beneath, the hush of the waves—these memories are a balm, a tender refuge far from the harshness of my present surroundings.

Mingham bears its own melancholy. Not long past, the town and its surrounds were consumed by floods of unprecedented fury. Torrential rains transformed roads into rivers, swallowing homes, and leaving streets marooned beneath waters swollen beyond memory. The river, once modest and tranquil, surged to heights unseen in a century, breaching its banks with merciless force. Entire neighborhoods were evacuated, bridges rendered impassable, and the land bore the scars of that relentless inundation for months thereafter.

In this place of lingering adversity, I find a strange resonance between the land and my own condition. Just as waters overflowed, unrestrained and unstoppable, so too has the neglect and hardship of this town broken through the fragile walls of my endurance. And yet, even amid such trials, the memory of Balnarring Jetty persists—a quiet, enduring symbol of stability and grace—reminding me that even in isolation and turmoil, beauty and calm can still be glimpsed.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Killen Falls Ballina NSW for Sunday Best

 

I have visited this waterfall on several occasions, primarily during my locum postings in either Ballina or Lismore, New South Wales. While I have previously shared several images of the falls, I had not, until now, revealed the singular perspective from within the cave behind the cascade. On that particular visit, the conditions were exceedingly damp, the air thick with mist and the roar of falling water echoing within the hollowed rock.

Killen Falls, part of the Emigrant Creek catchment, is a vestige of the region's ancient volcanic history—its basalt cliffs formed by lava flows from the long-extinct Mount Warning shield volcano. The waterfall plunges over a semi-circular basalt overhang, allowing one to stand within the cave and behold the curtain of water from behind, a rare and immersive vantage point in nature.

Following this wet and awe-filled exploration, I ventured to a nearby township where I partook in a traditional Jewish breakfast—an experience that remains warmly entwined with the memory of that elemental and storied place.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best

Barham NSW Water Tower Art for Mural Monday

 

I frequently journeyed through Barham, New South Wales, situated just beyond the northern border of Victoria. Recently, the town’s silo was adorned with a splendid work of art, masterfully completed by the artist who undertook the Barham Silo project. I find the artistic touch both inspiring and deeply evocative, adding a remarkable cultural dimension to the rural landscape.

The recently completed mural on the Barham water tower in New South Wales stands as a testament to the artistic prowess of Gus Eagleton, a distinguished Australian muralist renowned for his large-scale public artworks. Completed in April 2025, this monumental piece is part of the River Country Art Trail, an initiative that brings vibrant art to regional communities. Eagleton's decade-long career in contemporary muralism is marked by a keen ability to intertwine local narratives with striking visual elements, thereby enriching the cultural tapestry of the locales he engages with. His work in Barham not only enhances the town's visual landscape but also reflects its unique identity and community spirit.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

This is linking Mural Monday

Lismore Murals for Mural Monday

 

I have recently come to the realisation of the substantial number of mural artworks which I have photographed over the past few years. As it has become increasingly difficult to feature all of them on my blog in a timely manner, I believe it is most appropriate to share them more broadly in each weekly post.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Mural Monday

Leonid was my closest friend during our university years. Recently, we exchanged a few messages on Facebook, and I discovered that he is a fervent supporter of Meghan Markle. I never knew he was someone who enjoyed gossip, as he always advised me to keep things to myself. This revelation caused me to feel sudden discomfort, as it seemed he had changed. He is a dedicated bone marrow transplant physician, a father of four children, and has a devoted wife.

Lismore Mural for Mural Monday

 

In a small alley while I strolled into accidentally

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Mural Monday

Mungo National Park Desert for Treasure Tuesday

 

This area is now protected that no one is allowed to visit unless a permission is sought from the elder. of course, it means monetary tribute of some sort.

Mungo National Park is a protected national park that is located in south-western New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The 110,967-hectare national park is situated approximately 875 kilometres west of Sydney in the Balranald Shire.

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Merimbula Sunset for Skywatch Friday

 

Few years ago, I did a contract work in Bega NSW. The town is so close to Merimbula which is known for gorgeous sunset. 

Panasonc G9

Leica 42.5mm f1.2 

Linking to Skywatch Friday

Swan Hill Bridge for Sunday Best

 

Vic NSW border bridge at night above Murray River

Having a break on weekend taking a snap at the night bridge

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Sunday Best and My corner of the world

Lennox Head, New South Wales

 

In one of my road trips seeing northern NSW

Panasonic G9

Leica 15mm f1.8 limited

Linking Skywatch Friday

Mungo Shearer Shed, New South Wales, Australia

 

It was always an obsession to seek the rusted and decayed and the abandoned. In this part of the world, this is where people come here to disappear from the earth. 

Funny I used to travel and explore alone. After a few occasions that I nearly left stranded in the middle of nowhere, I cut back on the activity. 

Now I do miss these sceneries. 

Sony A7RIV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

This is in participation of the Best Sunday Event Barrier Event

Mungo National Park and night sky, New South Wales, Australia

 

Willandra Lakes Region is wide and large. It is also a world heritage zone. The night time is actually not quiet. There are all sorts of sounds that are kind of spooky to hear. The night in the desert is pretty much alive. 

The view gets my adrenaline pumping. 

Sony A7RIV

Laowa 12mm f2.8 

Night posts

Bega River, Tarraganda NSW

Broken Hill Sunset

Broken Hill Living desert