School holiday fun at the Eden cannery wharf

Nine years ago the Eden cannery was closed, and 1 in 8 Eden workers lost their jobs.

Today, the cannery sits abandoned and the cannery wharf is quietly rotting away. Rumour has it that the site has been purchased by a developer who will build a tourist resort on the location.

In the meantime and despite the chain wire fences, the wharf provides a wonderful place to have fun on the school holidays.

The clear deep water is hard to resist, even in this cold weather.

You can catch fish...



and watch an eagle soar overhead.




















You might even be lucky enough to spot this immense stingray. Can you see him? He's about 2 metres across, and likes to circle around under the wharf.






It's not a bad way to spend a day!

National Aboriginal and Islanders Day of Celebration

It's NAIDOC week, and there are Aboriginal celebrations happening all over the place. It's a good time for Kooris to celebrate their roots, and for non-indigenous people to take an interest and learn about the culture and spirit of the land to which we have come.


Welcome dance, welcoming the elders to the celebration.

The local celebration was held at the Aboriginal church on Moorhead Street, near the golf course. There was a welcome speech, some dancing by the young people and really excellent didgeridoo music, a jumping castle and barbeque lunch, and even a magician, all free. Invitations were put in all the local mailboxes. The weather was good, and everyone seemed to have a good time.


"Shake a leg" dance - a dance for warriors.


Excellent food at the barbeque.




Nina and her dog Elmo. Nina works at the preschool, and has 6 kids of her own.


Intently watching the face painting!


Looking good!


Nothing beats a jumping castle! Even the big kids can't get enough of it.




A good day out amongst friends.

Swimming on a winter afternoon

This hardy child couldn't stay out of the water. The photographer was wearing jeans, boots and a warm jacket, just by way of comparison.