Rural Utopias Residency: Jacky Cheng in Margaret River #4
Jacky Cheng is currently working with the community of Margaret River. This residency forms part of one of Spaced’s current programs, Rural Utopias.
Jacky Cheng is an artist and an art educator based in Broome, Western Australia. Cheng's work is fundamentally about identity and awareness through cultural activities and memories of home; country and relationships. Her significant concern are about correlating and weaving narratives from her native experiences whilst mapping the esoteric and social relationships of her origins and her new found home, environment and social surroundings.
Here, Jacky shares an update from Margaret River.
From the Kimberley
The recent torrential rain and flood from ex-tropical cyclone Ellie was declared the worst flooding on record that hit the North West region and has devastated many homes and livelihoods in the Fitzroy Valley, Kimberley, WA. This once-in-a-century flooding got me thinking about access and mobility and how we rely so much on services that are provided to regional and remote residences and communities. I had booked for my vehicle to be transported from Yawuru Country, Broome to Perth for my onward journey to Wooditjup, Margaret River in Wardandi Country to commence Stage 2 of the SPACED residency. The car haulier schedule was set back a week due to the water level that flooded Roebuck plains and Broome was officially an ‘island’. No vehicle in or out of Broome via the Great Northern Highway for a few days and no road access to Derby and West Kimberley as well. Luckily the water at Roebuck Plains resided quite quickly and we are back in business. For my Kimberley neighbours that experienced the devastation, there were positive words and affirmations all around and they are such resilient regional / remote communities.
Wooditjup, Margaret River
I arrived in Wooditjup, Margaret River in time for the gathering at Wattadjalup, Rivermouth, Prevelly on 26 January to attend a ceremony of the cultural custodians thanking ancestors for keeping Culture and Country strong. It was followed by a Welcome to Country ceremony for visitors; rubbing sand under my armpit so that it would take on my smell and then releasing the sand back to the water and a smoking ceremony to cleanse. A simple and poignant gesture – asking for protection while travelling on other’s land and crossing Country. I feel proper and blessed.
The Margaret River library packs a punch in its pint size building – incredibly knowledgeable staff, friendly, helpful and was buzzing with keen researchers, readers and out-of-towners like me. I requested to see Kerry Darnell (who was key to our stage 1 process in organising and linking me to a plethora of information and resources) with a specific intent and information relating to a quaint town a few kilometres south of Margaret River on the Bussell Highway – Witchcliffe (or Witchy to the locals). The town was historically established around the timber industry with a sawmill built back in 1922. So, the quirky part is, the name Witchcliffe originated from a nearby cave because the overhang in its entrance, apparently resembled a witch on a broomstick. The residence and surrounding community fell into the spell of the word and took to an immense liking of witchy themes - quite apparent in some displays and fun shop signages such as The Flying Wardrobe, Witchy Pies, Witchy Liquor Store etc.
Witchcliffe
Stage 2 of this residency will be based on my intention from the ongoing relationship built here with Salvatore Caruso (Sam) and Nigel Smith. I have thought about this stage for over 7 months through the process of skimming, trimming, tapering, and now anchoring my research focusing on a particular building of significance – The Witch and Windmill formerly known as The Darnell’s General Store on Redgate Road in Witchcliffe. The building carried an interesting history because it has served the community for close to 70 years until Bill Darnell fell ill, sold the business, and passed away in 2002.
The building was unoccupied between 2001 – 2016 albeit being sold. It very quickly fell into disrepair and was extremely dilapidated until Sam Caruso purchased the property in 2016 and poured his blood, sweat and love to restoring the building. I was in awe last year when I first heard of the arduous process of how Sam composed the building but he would always say ‘I just put things together’. Because it was listed as a heritage building, the façade was untouched except for some restoration and replacement of old materials to new. Sam brought the building back to a habitable state by up-cycling the materials left behind, adding other found objects, nails, wooden crates and building materials consisting of majority wood and metal. The notion of intuitive assemblage is appealing to even the trained eye. Sam is not just a builder; he is a craftsman and a creative wizard with a unique artistic flair delivering an eclectic vibe whilst maintaining a rustic charm to the interior space.
The Witch and Windmill, Witchcliffe
Today, the front portion of the building is occupied by a cooperative of small businesses – local artisan winemakers Amato Vino, a lovely and beautifully curated store The Shed by Michelle Troop (who also had a short stint of living in Broome once), highlighting hand-picked local specialities, herbal products, seeds and seedlings and also offering candle making and herbal concoction workshops. Her photography work accompanies her eye for detail and captures the sensibilities of her love for nature and people. Miranda Aitken is a poet, writer and musician, operates the Marritree Fine Art and Books and facilitates literature evenings and creative art classes. I recently attended the Witchy Words and Music; a handful of selected poets in town sharing their compositions of conscious attention to word patterns accompanied by local and invited musicians. It was indeed an inspiring witchy evening. The back wing of the building has been outfitted with hospitality equipment for future food and beverage services. I can only imagine the place will be heaving within the pocket of Witchy residence and visitors would love to experience and see something different.
Kerry Darnell (Bill Darnell’s granddaughter) arranged for me to meet her parents, Barry and Des Darnell for morning tea and a yarning session regarding the old Darnell’s General Store. They shared stories, newspaper cuttings and photos. There were slight disagreements amongst themselves at times but everyone agreed that the store was wonderfully stocked with everything and anything the community needed – shoes, haberdasheries, kitchen ware, farming equipment, sweets and lollies, groceries, and even postal service. Fun fact: Bill Darnell operated the Witchy postal service for 67 years! I have read somewhere that Bill Darnell and George Shervington (business partner) carried the community during the harsh months of dairy farming.
Witchcliffe comes across as a sleepy town. There are more trucks and cars that pass through this old timber and dairy farming town on the way to larger destinations such as Augusta. But what makes this place interesting is the hidden gems. The truth is, this enchanting and quirky town demands more exigency within the travel destination in the South West. After all, tourism is about supporting the community to thrive and be self-sufficient in business, lifestyle and beyond. The construction of Ecovillage across the road has doubled its occupancy since I last visited in 2022. Witchy is in the midst of transformation.
So, what is it about The Witch and Windmill building that motivates my intention and piqued my interest? Stay tuned for the next blog.
Images:
Welcome to Country Gathering at Wattadjalup, Rivermouth on 26 January to attend a ceremony to thank the ancestors of Wadandi Boodja for keeping Culture and Country strong.
Research from the Margaret River Library.
Photos of Bill Darnell – the original co-owner of The Darnell’s General Store, and a photo of Darnell’s General store dated 23 January 2001.
Barry and Kerry Darnell.
Old signage saved at the Witch & Windmill.
New mezzanine level at the Witch & Windmill installed by Sam. The antique spiral staircase was brought in in a dilapidated state and restored to its current strong and safe spiral staircase.
Witch and cat located at the corner of the roadhouse + post office.
Michelle Troop at The Shed at Witch & Windmill.
The Shed at W&W.
