Write With Me

THE GORGE
By Brittany McGorm
(Created with AI assistance)

A surreal descent
into the gorge—
its beauty closing in.

Jagged rock formations
rise in contrast
to a bright blue sky.

A secluded haven,
where Yellow-footed rock-wallaby
shelter among boulders and caves,
grazing the open flats.

A bush camping reserve
rests within the valley,
beneath the gums,
overlooking the creek.

Along its winding course,
a walking trail follows—
through reeds and river red gums,
crossing water again and again.

Private land,
leased to the council,

Warren Gorge—
a quiet, enduring beauty.

WHATS IN A NAME
By Brittany McGorm
(Created with AI assistance)

Names in history,
scattered through the town.

We begin in north Laura,
on the outer edge of centre.

Driving slowly,
street signs start to speak.

Walter Street—
a name from times gone by,
commander, leader.

We move on.

Alexander—
man’s defender, a warrior.

William—
the protector.

Names of conquerors,
echoing through history.

Henry—of German origin,
ruler of the home.

All tied to Henry Walter,
once owner of the town.

Then the older heart of Laura,
named for Herbert’s dear wife.

We turn into Herbert Street—
another thread in the story.

History waits
at every corner.

Samuel—
a biblical name,
“God has heard.”

Bristow—of British roots,
a pillar of strength,
bridging past and present.

These names remain,
etched in metal and memory,
lining every road.

DECADENT CONFECTION
By Brittany McGorm

(Created with AI assistance)

From humble beginnings,
selling milk and cream,
a new venture—
a new name:
Golden North.

Churning their own ice cream,
doors open to
Café North—
a place to share their craft.

Produce packed in ice,
sent out across the north.

Savour the sweetness,
a tango on the tastebuds
with every bite.

Nature’s golden nectar—
honey ice cream.

Uniquely Laura,
a South Australian icon.

THE MAJESTIC MURRAY
By Brittany McGorm

At its beginning,
crystal clear—pristine water,
the rocks and earth laid bare below.

Winding its way
over 2,500 kilometres,
edged by farmland and rising cliffs,
a vital lifeline for so many.

Once a busy artery of trade,
paddle steamers heavy with produce.

Now a place of leisure—
boats, swimming, fishing.

Slowly, through the miles,
the clear turns to brown,
turbulent, silted waters
at South Australia’s end.

The Mouth—
where river meets sea.

NATIONAL GEMSTONE
By Brittany McGorm
**Created with AI assistance

Caught in hidden cracks,
water slowly trickles through the earth —
Evaporates.

Leaving a thick residue,
mixed with silica.
With time,
pressed into colour.

Opal forms.

Precious opal,
valuable and bright.
It’s beautiful,
play of colour.

Common opal.
Flickers of
Blue, pink and green.

Glistening gems,
Australia’s National Gemstone.

VARIETY BASH
By Brittany McGorm

A convoy,
of Bash cars,
roll through the streets.

Bursts of colour.
Characters in costume:
The Wiggles, Super Mario,
The Avengers and more.

Eight days on the road,
with your mates.
After a year of giving.

Since 1985,
an idea.
A drive through,
Outback Australia,
With your mates.

Over the red earth,
and endless stars.
Meeting those you have helped.

An experience,
of a lifetime.

PROBY
By Brittany McGorm


A dry rocky riverbed,
rarely a drop.
Thunderclouds gathering.

Hugh, on a young stead,
racing to beat the rains.
Clouds open up.

Water surges,
strength unseen.
A sudden raging torrent,
Fighting the young horse.

Hugh plunged in,
The water takes them—
horse and rider lost.

Then silence.

The water recedes.
A distant memory,
a moment in time.
Carried into history

THE JINKER
By Brittany McGorm

Once, a mining cart—
hauling heavy loads.
Now it stands on display,
for all to see.

Built of blue gum,
ironbark and steel,
two long poles fixed firm—
made to bear
the weight of thirty-two bullocks,
two abreast.

Through the elements,
a team of bullocks trudged,
slow and straining.
Others followed,
to ease the burden,
of the crushing load.

Bullockies had a hard life—
guiding ox-drawn carts.
For long distances,
of unforgiving land.
A passing sight,
for onlookers,
as they walked on past.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing.
With issues along the way.
Many journeys,
were difficult.
Approaching a bridge.
Before the crossing,
sand was laid.
To quieten shaking,
to protect the load.

The jinker—
Now a relic,
but part of SAs heritage.

THE POWER OF THE PRESS
By Brittany McGorm

We come from across the ranges,
A paper trail in our wake
Our heritage, our culture,
Spelled out in ink on every page.

In 1889 the Laura Standard came to be,
A publisher of stories,
Poems and local news.
A pioneer in its day,
The best means of making wants known.

An advocate,
Publishing of information.
Water conservation, irrigation,
The importance of bushfire prevention.

Once its own entity,
Amalgamation on the horizon.
Merging with the Crystal Brook Times,
Creating ‘The Laura Standard and the Crystal Brook Courier.’

The depression of the nineteen thirties,
Newspapers abandoned.
Merging with other papers,
Creating’The Northern Review.’

BLINMAN MINE
By Brittany McGorm

Tunnel as dark as night
Candles to light the way.
Danger at every turn.

Church hymns
Heard through the dark,
To raise the men’s spirits.

Working through
Blood, sweat and tears.
Building character
Along the way.

Dolomite containing
Copper minerals
As small as veins.

Blinman mine
Largest producing
And largest operating
Mine in the
Flinders Ranges.

THE SALAD BOWL
By Brittany McGorm

Gardens once lined the Rocky River.
Once an Oasis of colour, against the banks
Colours emerged from the shadows.
Greens, purple, yellow and blue.

Native plants in abundance.
Bright pink pacific reef
Used as colourful ground cover.
The soft purple of lilac
Attracting native butterflies.
The deep blue of blue bell
A stunning royal blue flower.
An abundant yet beautiful food source.

Orchids on the banks of the Rocky River.
Covered in netting reducing the beauty,
But a necessary bird deflection.

Arriving in North Laura in 1881.
Chinese market gardens
Erected on 7 acres.
A former grass paddock
Turned into a colourful vegetable garden.

Remnants of a bygone era
Now just a story passed on
To interested travellers.