Over the years, we’ve been very fortunate to work across so much of this beautiful State we call home. Many of you have been on this journey with us, whether travelling to remote locations to join us for a meal, or following along through our newsletter.
The traditional season we’re currently in, in the Noongar calendar, is called Makuru, and it spans June and July. In the South West of WA, these are the coolest months of the year, and for us at Fervor, it has brought about a slightly slower pace of life, with most of our travels being closer to home.
It’s given us time to reminisce about how incredibly lucky we’ve been to see so many awe-inspiring places and meet remarkable individuals along the way. And in this magical slowness that we’re holding dear for as long as possible, in a world that feels like it’s constantly spinning faster than we can keep up with, we’ve decided to focus on sharing some of our untold stories.
We’ve never felt we’ve had the time to share these moments in a way that does them justice. And like so many incredible artworks, we will probably never feel our telling of these stories is quite good enough to give credit where credit is due. But the alternative is leaving them in the depths of our archives for all eternity.
So, over the coming months, we’ll be sharing reflections on places and people, and inviting you to experience these journeys through the written word, video, images or recipes.
For some, it may carry you back to a dinner with friends. For others, it may inspire you to travel, create or wander this incredible state. But we hope that, for all, it transports you, if only for a few short moments, allowing you to immerse yourself in the story and experience a little magical slowness.
As one of Yoda’s favourite places to escape, with its rugged coastlines and secluded beaches, and where we’ll be spending the next few days, our first reflection pays homage to a part of the Great Southern, on Menang Country, traditionally known as Kinjarling.
Like many good things in his life, Yoda was first introduced to the Kinjarling area through surfing, many moons ago. He immediately felt a strong connection to this place, drawn back at every opportunity.
Over the years, this connection has grown into lifelong friendships and a deep respect for the area. From outings with friends to the Stirling Ranges and waterways hidden to the untrained eye, to visits to the Oyster Harbour Fish Traps and time spent collecting ingredients with and learning from Aunty Vern and Larry at Kurrah Mia, these experiences have deepened our connection to the region. Through cultural tours, school programs and yarns around the fire, Aunty Vern and Larry continue to share their knowledge with the next generation. We are forever grateful for the time we’ve spent with them.
A moment forever etched in our memory would certainly be our 10-year Fervor celebration on Menang Country, surrounded by our beautiful Fervor family, who make what we do possible and love immersing themselves in the chaos alongside us. We were welcomed by Aunty Vern and spent time on Country with Larry.
Returning to Kinjarling always brings those memories back. As we pack our trusty swag, excited to cook over the open fire and sit beneath the Southern sky, you may be wondering what the hell we’re thinking, camping in the middle of winter. Are we going to get rained on and cold at some stage? Maybe. We may also wake to one of those crisp, clear winter mornings the region does so beautifully. After all, Kinjarling means “place of rain, place of plenty”, and at this time of year, the weather can bring a little of everything. Does it matter? Not so much. It’s part of the adventure. Our setup is simple, although we do know a good cook, so the food is always a feast.
This is where we find some of our greatest inspiration: in the quiet of nature, slightly outside our comfort zone, understanding a place by standing in it and taking it in through all our senses.
So, on that note, we’ll leave you with this video, captured over different periods spent in Kinjarling by our dear friend and filmmaker, Todd Delfs.
And if life allows, we encourage you to experience the magic of Kinjarling for yourself.
