UNEARTHED ART AT LITHGOW

I made my first, post bushfires visit to Lithgow recently. This town has such spirit and resilience. Nowhere is it better expressed than in a laneway off the main street featuring art created from discarded bicycles.

How’s this for sheer exuberance? The exhibit at the top of the lane is slowly being covered in a tangle of sweet smelling star jasmine.

As a passionate lover of birds, the artwork below completely stole my heart. Some people are just so talented and imaginative. Thank you for providing such delight Rachel Simone Ford and the group Out On a Limb.

When I was a kid I used to pretend my bike was a pony, but bounding along like a kangaroo would be even more fun.

ART WITH AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE

The Lithgow area suffered very badly in the recent fires and some of the artworks carried a solemn message relating to native wildlife and the loss of habitat. We all know how badly our koala population has been affected;

And then there are the loveable wombats. ‘What’s for dinner Mum?‘ asks the little one. Goodness me, nobody could fail to be moved by this image;

When my partner and I finished admiring the street art we visited a favourite spot, Lithgow’s old-fashioned bakery. It was established 60 years ago by Mr Bill Allan. Bill died last year, but his skills were passed on, and all the old favourites are there, produced by current owner Jackie.

I bought a mushroom tart, just like the ones my mother made for our birthday parties in the 1950s. Oh the nostalgia. It was delicious.

There really is something special about Lithgow, with its proud industrial heritage. If you get the chance, visit The Small Arms Factory Museum.

The town produced one of our greatest runners; Marjorie Jackson, the Lithgow Flash. Marjorie won two Olympic Games gold medals, seven Commonwealth Games gold medals and held 10 world records.

KEEP ON KEEPING ON, LITHGOW