Newcastle Writer’s Festival, 2026
Title: Between Eastridge and Yarrawonga Estate - for Claire
Lying in a white pebbled garden,
pissed and (still) high on Es, talking
about when we first met - gone too far...
Sheraton Road. Standing up awkwardly,
crickets chirping - no cars were out
(it was too late) - we crossed the railway tracks,
staggering by some refuse near the razor
fences, transformers and large
wood wire spools - Eulomogo Zone Substation -
sheds of prefab concrete, high voltage
switchyard, nature strips, a background of
transmission towers and power poles. Holding hands
we stopped by the prunuses and gum trees,
kicking our feet in the dirt....beneath a half moon.....
kissed beside the Presbyterian Church,
stopped again across the road, sat between the
goalposts on the dusty football field, lit up
a couple of cigarettes, smoked quietly
and waited for the sun to rise.....
chewing our fingernails til the nerve endings bled.
Oil on Canvas
400 × 1230mm
Newcastle Writer’s Festival, 2026
Title: Between Eastridge and Yarrawonga Estate - for Claire
Lying in a white pebbled garden,
pissed and (still) high on Es, talking
about when we first met - gone too far...
Sheraton Road. Standing up awkwardly,
crickets chirping - no cars were out
(it was too late) - we crossed the railway tracks,
staggering by some refuse near the razor
fences, transformers and large
wood wire spools - Eulomogo Zone Substation -
sheds of prefab concrete, high voltage
switchyard, nature strips, a background of
transmission towers and power poles. Holding hands
we stopped by the prunuses and gum trees,
kicking our feet in the dirt....beneath a half moon.....
kissed beside the Presbyterian Church,
stopped again across the road, sat between the
goalposts on the dusty football field, lit up
a couple of cigarettes, smoked quietly
and waited for the sun to rise.....
chewing our fingernails til the nerve endings bled.
Oil on Canvas
400 × 1230mm