Page 74 - Kickin Up Dust - Australia

Back Cover Feature
FEATURE “ When Dorothea Mackellar penned
Lydia Peacock Photography

New Life in an Old Village

the famous words “I love a
sunburnt country”, I can only
wonder if she knew that it applied
not only to her beloved outback,
but also to the ochre glow of
Georgian sandstone found in the
rural town of Oatlands, Tasmania. “

Oatlands sits on the banks of Lake Dulverton, a
thriving bird sanctuary, with a walking track that
extends to the neighbouring town of Parattah.
Overlooking the lake is one of Oatlands most
recognisable buildings that dominates the skyline,
Callington Mill, a Linconshire tower mill built in
1837. Whilst the mill sat idle for many decades, it
has recently been restored and now overlooks the
newly opened Callington Mill Distillery.

Though Oatlands is becoming an increasingly
popular tourist destination, the camaraderie and
mate-ship of small town living endures. You only
have to be greeted by a warm welcome from Remy
at the local pub the Kentish, or chat with Nathan
while he shakes a cocktail at the Imbibers. You
can be transported to provincial shores by Debbie’s
extensive collection of European temptations at
The Jardin Room, or allow Gillian to assist you in
choosing tasty treats at Tidbit & Morsel. In recent
years Oatlands has welcomed many new shops,
cafes and art galleries to compliment the existing
retailers and add to the town’s rapidly expanding
offerings.
You can scarcely walk down the main road of
Oatlands without seeing neighbours chatting over
the fence, or friends catching up in the street. The
Oatlands sheep sale, held once a month, brings
crowds of farmers from far and wide. Though
the sheep should be the focal point of the day,
the hordes of spectators at every sale alludes to
something else being the main attraction – the
yarns. Voices carry over the yarded sheep, and
while the majority of the crowd moves with the
auctioneers, as the sale goes on more and more
stragglers move off in conversation. The sale is over
long before the last ute ambles back through the
town.

Whilst it may be a stretch to imagine that My
Country was even partly based on Oatlands, if you
ever have a chance to see the sunset reflect off
KICKIN UP DUST buildings, then you will understand my sentiments.
one of Australia’s largest collections of sandstone

Lydia Peacock
Back Cover Feature
74 Socials - @lydia_peacock_photography