With gladness to get out of the house and hopes to see birds, orchids, Western Australia’s natural beauty, and whatever else it had to offer, we went for a day’s outing to Foxes Lair via Boddington.
It had been awhile since we had been through these parts.What I didn’t expect was the first birds we saw was in the parking lot while John got gas. Pigeons.Well, ok, for an American an Ibis is rather different bird to see in a parking lot.Well there is no doubt it was a beautiful drive on our way to Boddington.
I love an Aussie country road.
Even though I have been in Australia much longer than intended, when I see views like this, I can’t complain.A common sight on our country drives.You see a few of these too.
It wasn’t long we found ourselves in Boddington.
The town owns its name to an early settler, Henry Boddington, who was a shepherd in the 1860s and leased land in the area in 1875, later moving to Wagin. His name became associated with a pool in the Hotham River at which he frequently camped with his sheep.
A townsite was chosen adjacent to the Boddington Pools on the Hotham River, and subsequently was gazetted as a town. The railway line continued to Boddington in 1916 and in 1920 a new one-roomed school was built. This was followed by further buildings including Roads Board office, Hotel, shops and an agricultural hall.
The town continued to expand with new industries including farming, timber, Tannin Extracts, and later the mining industry. A railway bridge was built over the upper reaches of the Murray River in 1949, originally known as “Asquith Bridge” and later as the Long Gully bridge. This was used for carting railway timber to the Banksiadale.
The area declined slowly over time, and the Dwellingup fires of 1961 devastated the local timber industry. By 1969, the railway had been closed and Boddington became a typical small service area for the surrounding district. Ironically the Asquith Bridge was destroyed by a bush fire in February 2015.
BoddingtonWA
The establishment of Bauxite mining in 1979 at Boddington, continues to service Western Australia’s alumina refinery at Worsley (near Collie). Further mining followed with the opening of the Boddington Gold Mine in 1987. Together the Gold & Bauxite mines create a thriving rural mining town.
Boddington boasts numerous sculptures and public art installations. Most are the creations, of Len Zuks, an acclaimed West Australian and international artist. In addition, several of his sculptures are scattered around the district including the ‘Rodeo Rider’ at the Boddington information bay, which is where we were here. Later in the blog, I will show another of his sculptures.
As we were only in Boddington briefly for a pitstop, we were soon back on the road. Spring in Western Australia will never cease to dazzle me.And what about this little guy, little heart-stealer!Everywhere you go, it’s clear that Australians love rusty things.Even on their barn roofs.We see almost everywhere in our travels – the result of mining.Which then begs the question, what do we use bauxite for anyway? Bauxite is a sedimentary rock with a relatively high aluminum content. It is the world’s main source of aluminum and gallium. Australia is the largest producer of bauxite, followed by China.The uses of aluminum are varied and diverse. Today it is used in commerce, transportation, and other industries. This metallic element is used for doorknobs, window frames, and kitchen utensils. The element is applied in kettles, saucepans, toasters, and refrigerators. It is also used in indoor and outdoor furniture. Aluminum is necessary for construction. The metal is used in practically all elements: skylights, building bridges, shutters, ladders, and railings. The element is present in rods, doors, stampings, wiring, bars, tubing, sheets, pipes, casting, and scraps. Aluminum is applied in a wide array of industrial applications. Staircases are sometimes made of aluminum too. The metallic element is found in many buildings. They are low maintenance. The lightweight is also used for gutters. Aircraft carriers have aluminum components. It is also used in boats and other seafaring vessels because it is light. Railway carriages also use it. Aluminum can be found on cars for aesthetic and thermal purposes. It’s cheaper than other metals so manufacturers prefer it. Car parts like wheel spacer bars, transmission housings, hoods, suspension components, and engine blocks are usually built of aluminum. The metal is also used in impellers, alternator housings, air filler adapters, mirrors, and brackets. Car ornaments also rely on aluminum. Aluminum is becoming more and more widely used in large power solar station projects because of its cost and advantages over other materials. They play an important role in solar panel modular. It’s also used to make solar panel frames.
Anyway, if you can stop using some of those things, perhaps we can save our pretty, green hillsides.
Soon we came across some bush in the area and saw wildflowers and orchids.Back on the road on this perfect spring day, we headed back to the town of Boddington.One thing that is hard to pass up in the country is an old church. We spotted it from the road, turned around, and went in. It’s the Historic St. Albans Church. The foundation stone of the Church, which is still in excellent condition, was laid by one Mr. Arthur Batt on 17th April, 1894. And of course, another sculpture by Lens Zuks.The church is a relatively small, stone, gothic style building, standing before a small cemetery. The building is a single story, stained glass windows, jarrah floored church. Inside the church hangs an honor board for local service men for the first and second world wars. The graveyard marks the original settlers of the Marradong and Boddington area.Best view from the graveyard looking out.As we have at old churches in the past, we strolled around the graveyard and learned about some of the people that used to live here.This must be the plaque they said was still in good condition.Not sure I can say the same about this in front of the church, even its name is barely readable.
Little cozy side entrance.
A closer look at the glass windows.The windows and a viewOne last look at the family sculpture as we headed out to Foxes Lair
At Foxes Lair, we got to see the Dragon Orchid, as usual, this time of year. John headed out to go to the usual place we find them, but I looked down from where I was standing while putting on the macro lens to my camera, “You mean like this one right here?” These kinds of things happen way too often to us!
They are a special orchid and it’s always great to see them again.Time to leave for home and I linger to look at Aussie Country life I seem to have completely fallen for.So much in fact, John obliged me and turned the car around so I could get a better composed shot. 🙂
Even though we didn’t get to photograph any birds, this brochure suggests there are many to see in the area >> Birdwatching Around Boddington
