A mouthful of dirt in the outfield: cricket at Woomera

Sporting facilities in country towns sometimes reflect their unique location. Just as Woomera had black greens on its golf course, it had a dirt oval for cricket. Terry Clark described the different ovals that were used in Woomera: Cricket was Read More …

Black greens and the unique golf facilities of Woomera

Woomera in its heyday in the 1960s had a population of more than 6000 people, and an enviable range of sports facilities to cater for every possible sporting preference. These facilities included a golf course, but one that was markedly Read More …

Music played by nature: telegraph poles as wind instruments

Aeolian instruments are instruments that are ‘played’ by the wind.  They have fascinated humans for centuries. In modern times, many beautiful sculptures around the world have been designed to produce music.  True Aeolian instruments produce notes that vary according to Read More …

The silence of the desert: silence like velvet

Quiet places are becoming rare; places where we can listen quietly to the natural environment. Woomera is one of those rare places.  Those who have lived in the remote town in the desert 446 km north of Adelaide, love the Read More …

‘Living fossils’ in the desert

Imagine living in Australia’s dry desert interior, and witnessing the landscape come alive after rain. I recently interviewed people who had lived in Woomera, 446 km north of Adelaide in an arid region surrounded by salt lakes that are usually Read More …