The Road to Nymagee........and back again.

The goats race across the road at Nymagee.

I loaded the car with water and some food for the road and "off we go" - as I said last time - out to Nyngan to help with some drought events. This was with the team from Uniting Care Burnside FY,   Nat and Cath, who had found that no other services involved were attending as there was another tour in the Brewarrina area. At Nyngan it was just the presenter and many of the providers where out at Brewarrina.  As we rolled out of Nyngan the temperature was climbing into the high 30’s. Armed with cold water, we headed to Hermidale, a small village on the side of the Mitchell Highway on the way to Cobar. 

Inside the CWA Hall at Hermidale 

The town has seen better days, they will tell you- shops and servo gone but the school is doing lots of things plus there's a new tennis club, air con, a pub and the CWA hall, which was our base. We joined in on the writing program (same one I was at in Wanaaring)  but this part was on journaling. The  rule when you attend these things as a pastor is that you have to take part, which was good, as a rumour had gone round that it was off,  so not all had come but those that had enjoyed a day off the farm. 

The day ended with a lot of planning for upcoming events ,including a Pamper Day. As I had a donation of some great pamper packs, I was happy to resource this and provide the packs for the girls.

The CWA hall

 The group here has connections with a Nyngan Uniting Church minister,with Frontier Service Patrol, Jo and Lou, so this brings 3 areas of the church together plus the Congregation and Fellowship from NENW by linking them in to Jo at Nyngan. When the drought money ends there is a ongoing link, not just a one off event leaving people alone till the next event happens. 
We spent the night with a farming family for tea of a baked dinner. This was a great time and yummy food. As the girls talked, I talked with the man of the house on a range of things, then home to my motel room.  Up next morning meeting with another local, again growing connections. Yes, and drinking coffee. Change back into passenger roll for our trip out past Hermidale to Nymagee. The day was a bit hotter. As we passed along the road farmers were hard at work bringing in their crop. We also saw two big tractors rolling the stubble over. Clouds of dust filled the air. 

Nat, who comes from a farming back ground felt this was to do a couple of things - lower bush fire risk and keep moisture in the ground .  We hit the dirt. Goats running in family groups across the road, then town came into view. The cars round the hall told us we had a good crowd. The heat was up there. The car outside temp gauge saying 45.  Luckily, we had ice for our water and were in time for lunch. We talked to the group men and women, mostly farmers, wives and some town folk. Mothers, daughters and sons of all ages.  We did the course touching our creative side,  then a cuppa and feedback time.  Most got things out of it, if not just a laugh  and a yarn and to forget about life for a time.  It was good meeting and been part of things. It was said that the service will be around to talk till Christmas but not sure after this. I jumped in and said the Rural Chaplains and Frontier Services will be here for the long run and we have links to the counsellors. It’s funny some service forget what we are about.  That give me space to say something the Uniting care team and also to push that I'll be around, that’s why they bring me along . 

I can see but can't reach the wheel! 

Sitting in the back been driven meant lots of photos :)  There was a lot of debriefing  this time and as we hopped in the car the temp had not moved. Before we left I'd started the car and put the air on as I took the last shots of town and talked with those still hanging round. Many had headed for the comfort of the pub. We'd done the cleaning and packing up and told everyone about the Pamper Day. 
"We'll be in that,! See ya!" and off we went. 

Nymagee CWA hall

By the time we made Nyngan it was 5.45pm and I was back behind the wheel, on the right side! Quick call on the hands free to report to Lyn. I was told not to keep going but the trip was very good, the break from driving and a good night sleep, a fuel stop and some coffee and food, cold drinks and a photo shoot had all done their job. 
Next thing I was in bed, washing on, quick clean up and vacuum - set Robovac to work, washed floors and off to Armidale  for NENW Presbytery AGM via Bingara as the highway was blocked. 

What a beautiful  drive! 
Lyn rang, "Where are you?"
"Beats me!" 
I got in to Armidale before I dropped out but I got there and back and Lyn was home.

 Yeah, see you somewhere out there!


    

Phill Matthews Rural Chaplain

0418627875 madpom52@gmail.com


PS From Sue - Phill sounds very handy at home! or was it just because Lyn was coming back?

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