Mullewa Meander : Walking with Jo

Another drive, inland this time, to Mullewa. This is the centre of the wildflower country, but being the start of winter the flowers are still all tucked up and waiting for the warmth of spring, then they will burst out in glorious, riotous colour.

Now the fields are sown, the rain has fallen, and the crops are also waiting for warmer weather

It is an hours drive along a good road, that is if we don’t spot some thing of interest.

Now this looks interesting. Let’s take a look…

Kojarena Chapel

Round a bend and tucked in among the gum trees is this delightful small chapel. Another house of God designed and built by the architect priest John Hawes.

In 1934 the devout Catholic O’Brien family donated a block of land on their farm so this “little sanctuary of God” could be built. Locals helped with fund-raising. This simple but pleasing structure truly fitted into the surrounds.

Sadly the chapel was closed in 1982, due to lack of priests and the ease of getting to Geraldton for mass. It started to deteriorate. Again the O’Brien family came to the rescue, some of the 58 grand children of Maggie O’Brien, raising money for the restoration and organising working bees from the extended clan.

Lovely metal sculpture of Monsignor Hawes visiting his parishioners.

The information boards give a picture into a gentle world long gone.

The road was long and straight and ran beside the rail track. Numerous trains with an uncountable number of wagons rolled past heading to the port at Geraldton to deposit their cargo. Then back the other way empty. Not sure what the cargo was, maybe iron ore, maybe the wheat from the last harvest that is stored around the countryside in huge silos.

Jack snapped this photo of a train as it came toward us

It is Sunday but still they are working 24/7 to keep the economy rolling along.

Another eye-catching metal sculpture.

What a harsh life it would be for these pioneer women.

Finally we arrived at Mullewa. The town was deserted, it was Sunday, a couple of campervans drove around the streets looking for some thing to do. I had brought along a picnic and we sat in a small park watching the antics of a family of crows.

Filled and fortified it was now time for a walk. The Hawes Heritage Trail beckoned.

The start of the trail

The trail started at the heritage Town Hall building. Notice the metal dog?

Children’s playground, deserted today

Swimming pool closed till next summer.

The trail winds past 11 way stations each one detailing the life of a remarkable man.  Hawes was an astonishing character, a man of dramatic contradictions and fascinating passions, and the life he lived could be truly said to be unique. (click here to read more)

The trail is marked by these arches featuring the colours and design used in the Geraldton Cathedral

It took a while to reach the church the information at the way stations made interesting reading.

Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church

 

Round the side, it is beautifully proportioned

 

Even though it was Sunday the doors were locked. It had been open at 9am for mass. I would love to look inside.

Look at the meticulous detail

 

It had been an enjoyable Sunday drive. (Remember the days back in the 1960’s, when petrol was cheap and plentiful, cars were big and spacious and every Sunday the family would pack a picnic and go for a Sunday drive?) The walk had been informative. We have now seen the 3 major churches John Hawes had designed and built in this area, plus the Kojarina chapel. Here is the post about the other churches.

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The walk had only been a short one. To see longer and varied walks wander over to Jo’s blog. This week she takes you for a fascinating stroll along the river in Poland. You may like to put on your walking shoes and join in.