Background

Originally inspired as a companion piece to Millicent Armstrong’s Drought, and Fire, this project is following its own path now. The work was also prompted by the floods in NSW in 2022, and the trail of destruction and distress they caused. Sadly, we’ve since seen frequent catastrophic rain and flood events in many places around the world.

To kick things off, two of the team, Dianna Nixon and Jenny Bell, undertook a one week residency in 2023 at Canberra Theatre Centre as part of CTC’s New Works program. This week of engagement threw up lots of questions, ideas, and left them with much research to be completed.

Then Dianna met Kim V. Goldsmith during a Regional Arts webinar, and we talked about how we might collaborate, however, in 2025, Kim has had to withdraw as they are now back on the radio as a journo, as well as completing their own projects. This is the risk when projects take so long to eventuate. We hope to be able to include Dianna’s niece, Kate Nixon, a horticulturist and biodiversity expert, in the creative team. So we’ll now be looking for a regionally based sound artist or composer to add to the skills mix.

Together we’ll explore how to make a contemporary work for stage that grapples with our relationship to management of land, water and biodiversity, particularly in farming regions.

Project Status

Jenny and Dianna gave workshops at Gunning Station for Connect@Gunning in January 2025. The 2 of them will undertake a 3 day deep dive in October working towards a scenario, visual language, themes and through line for a staged work.

Collaborators

Jenny Bell (Breadalbane-based farmer and visual artist), Kate Nixon (Forbes-based horticulturist and garden designer) and Dianna Nixon (Gunning-based creative producer, performer and director).

Work-In-Progress 

Fundraising for:

• Research work
• Creative developments and residencies
• Working towards mainstage production

Important dates and activities

30 Sept, 1 & 2 October 2025 – deep dive on Jenny’s property at Breadalbane, NSW.