Growing up I taught myself to believe my instincts and use my observation skills of what I saw really happening in the world. I traveled Europe and lived there for 8 years to experience another perspective of life to Australia.

Upon returning to Darwin I wondered if there was a place for me here after living abroad with so many other rich cultural experiences. People have told me they believe Darwin has no culture. I often defended Darwin on this issue but now I’ve stopped to think why people are saying what they are.

It seems that there is a culture of Darwin where people come to make money and go. Growing up here, I imagined my life eternally here, I was here to live and die. I contributed a lot to bettering the community like volunteering to raise funds for associations such as the RSPCA and YWCA… along with my friends. But now, I see a different Darwin. What is the youth of today in Darwin doing? What do they have to look forward to? I wonder about many things as I’m sure others do…

I came with a lot of inspiration back to Darwin from Europe to realise that all along I had it within me, and this I give credit to my upbringing. Darwin is more than a place to live, it is who I am, my creator.

This morning I went out reluctantly because I had to drag myself out of bed. Sundays are for sleeping in, right? But going out into the bush almost every day this week to photograph the wildlife has changed my perspective forever. Sure I took walks and played in the bush as a kid, but as a well traveled adult it is somewhat different.

Have you ever said something of such high magnitude that you then forgot what it was that you actually said? This is what I experience after talking about the beauty I see in our bushland. I become someone else, I think, I change my perspective on life and I develop a love for the place I live in. It becomes my identity and this is very real. It is like the bush becomes “me” and the who I am.

Being in a place as beautiful as the bushland is enhanced by my photography because when I’m there I take in everything using all my senses, but when I return home and see what I photographed I have the chance then to realise the magnitude of the “amazingness” I actually saw. I can then breath and go on with my life.

This is different to seeing photos from books and magazines, of course. And one must experience this…I think I’ve acquired an addiction that makes me want to go again and again to photograph these amazing creatures at the door step of where we live.

Now I’m listening to beautiful birds sitting in my living room as I’m sharing my experiences with the world. That’s magical! There’s an element of time that doesn’t exist. There are no time limits in the bush, just the changes in the sky, and the activity of life.

Lets stop the ugly developments in our city. We are so lucky to be surrounded by beach. It is like living in a paradise. Darwin is the  capital city of The Northern Territory, a flourishing economic state. Some say it is “the real Australia”.. with bushland and wildlife, and blends of modern city life. We need this to stay in harmony with nature..it is what attracts people to live here along with one of the highest economies in Australia. Let this work in our favour!

I wonder what the thoughts are on the residents here in Ludmilla… ? I wish we were consulted on these developments. The reality is that the value of our houses will go down significantly and perhaps as much as $100,000, I’ve heard! Who wants to live across from an industrial area?

Let’s beautify our parks and preserve our greenbelt, keeping our culture strong and instilling pride in our people. And attracting tourists to come here. In my opinion we need a DARWINIAN “Hunderdwasser”, someone who can build architecture that suites the beauty of the city, and plays in harmony with our lifestyle and natural surroundings. I think it’s time for our community to be more actively involved and be proud..because it is our home. We are here to stay.

Thank you for listening and allowing me to share my part of paradise in the world. Feel free to share your experiences.

Remember, anyone can sign the petition. No matter where you live, inside and outside Australia. One day you might even like to visit our unique Darwin. We want to preserve our culture so people all over the world will see and experience our culture too.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/saveourland.html

The only reason for being a professional writer is that you can’t help it. Leo Rosten

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