“I have performed in many places in the world but never before in a paddock on a camel farm and with such a high roof. This is absolutely magnificent”

These were the words spoken by the international trumpet player James Morrison at the inaugural event held in the new amphitheatre at Eremia Camel Treks West.

On the outskirts of Ravensthorpe over 400 patrons flocked to the  “Picnic with The James Morrison Quintet” show in the perfect evening weather on Sunday 17 January.

The venue was excellent with the circle of native trees encompassing the steep grassed paddock slope, harmonising with the amphitheatre and facing the setting sun to the west – what could be more perfect? It’s perfect site. It was a relaxed picturesque scene facing the amphitheatre as people set up their chairs and tables or rugs and settled in for their picnic and an outstanding performance.  As the evening grew dark the stage lighting created an ambience that will be remembered for a long time.

It was an honour for the entrepreneurial impresario Julia Bell that such an acclaimed performer and his supporting team would choose to come to the rural setting and to be a delight to music lovers of all ages. They were well rewarded.

James Morrison is a master instrumentalist taking music to the greatest heights. Unique and talented jazz player James played the trumpet and piano with spectacular genius. Well travelled, he and his son Sam had flown in from Austria on the Friday, performed at Mundaring Weir Hotel on Saturday, flown to Ravensthorpe on Sunday midday before performing the same evening.

Enhancing the stage in an attractive gold lamee dress was vibrant vocalist guest star Evelyn Duprai, a Ghanaian girl born in Sydney who is a truly captivating performer with passion and intensity. She thrilled the audience by singing jazz and funk, and included in her repertoire George Gershwin’s Summertime.

Read more: Trumpeter Tantalises the Bush Crowd

Where the Boodie Rats Used to Dig

“Where the Boodie Rats Used to Dig”. What sort of a name for a book is that you might ask? As explained at the book launch by author Ann Williams, it was a throwaway comment from early settler Arnold Daniels during an interview in 1992. When his parents first took up land on the Jerdacuttup River in 1914 they used to get their water “Down by the river where the Boodie rats used to dig”.  Boodie rats, aka the Burrowing Bettong have been extinct on the Australian mainland since the 1960s. A thought-provoking little comment  which reminds us that change is constant and new land settlement has inevitable and sometimes sad consequences.

Hopefully not for the Carnaby’s cocatoos which accompanied the speeches during the launch.

“Where The Boodie Rats used to Dig” contains the history of settlement in the Jerdacuttup region including the opening of the first Conditional Purchase blocks in 1962 to the development of mining and the coming of Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations.

Robbie Purvis, being one of four remaining settlers of the first 26 blocks present and who still farm their original allocation, was invited to address the gathering. Robbie, who travelled from New South Wales to his Jerdacuttup block “Sandy Camp” spoke of how he came for a holiday 47 years ago and he is still here today.

Next, second of the remaining first settlers and a key speaker at the launch, (former Senator) Winston Crane said, “This is a truly unique place on earth”. Winston acknowledged those who had lost their life during the development of Jerdacuttup. He finished with some lovely anecdotes including when Joe Hughes hit a home run at cricket and when Goldie and Don Benda scored a try at Aussie Rules footy, when Southerners football team had their home ground at Jerdacuttup.

Read more: Jerdacuttup Book Launch