My thoughts about this construction phase…

My thoughts about the Construction Phase of Walawaani Way

I’ve definitely learnt a huge amount about construction - and coming from Sydney and not knowing the difference between an excavator and a back-hoe (to the astonishment of some of the guys on-site when I shyly asked which machine I was to refuel) … a steep learning curve!

I’ve learnt from Ben how to do plumbing drainage, steel reinforements for sheds, concreate pours, retaining walls, oiling and greasing excavators, refueling heavy machinery and the correct way to use a shovel efficiently, for glamous jobs like shovelling roadbase. I’ve learnt to read engineer road design plans (not very well mind you), the difference between DGB20 roadbase and topcoat, the importance of how water needs to be directed in heavy rains to deter potholes… and how to scrub my fingers well after a big day’s work! One of my daughters got to the point where she insisted I hide behind the trees at our house just before the school bus came, so I was NOT seen by the bus driver of how ‘scubby’ I looked in my construction work-clothes.

It’s been trying, and testing… moments when I feel the construction will never end. Tears when it rained for 3 weeks straight and the site was un-workable for another three weeks after that until the mud dried, back in the beginning part in August 2025. The conditions of the site were so bad - full of mud (and two people who had purchased burials called me up - and asked when the burial will be open - as they hadn’t been feeling well… just to add to the pressure!)

A low moment came amongst the heavy rains when a mother at the kids sport showed me a picture of the week’s rain forecast on the weather App and then said “The Bureau of Meteorology says it’s going to rain till the end of the year!” Thank goodness this didn’t eventuate and has made every ‘dry-day’ a blessing during this construction phase.

This is my life’s project. In times of feeling like it’s getting hard… I allow my mind to float back to when the original thought came into my head about establishing a natural burial ground… I just wanted to get the approval to be able to bury people back into nature… where I wanted to be, and where other people would want to be too. To bring soil back to life, full of living things.. to grow trees and habitat.. to create flowering bushes where the bees will be … and to be part of that forest, that energy, those atoms and elements - after my life… That’s where I want my body to be. Not wasted, but given to future life. I suppose a self-less thing to do… realising you are part of a much bigger thing… that life will come and go and it’s important that we leave our body and our energy for other life forms - to also enjoy this planet and experience the magic of what we call life.

I hope we open before Christmas Day and I’ll definitely be having a sleep in then! Merry Christmas everyone! xo