Australian Geographic — May-June 2017

May. June 19

buzz

heathlands and breathtaking mountain
vistas. “You get a feeling of exposure
and danger, and the elements are all
laid out in front of you,” Nigel says.
“It’s like you are literally at the end of
the earth. And, of course, we had Bob
there shepherding us through these
beautiful walks, talking the whole time
about the flora and fauna and the way
the Aboriginals used to live here. His

passion, knowledge and love of the

area are so infectious, and that’s what

I really took away from the trip.”

The challenging concerto inter-

sperses brisk dynamic sections, reminis-

cent at times of wild bird shrieks and

calls or the howl of gales, with quieter,

expansive moments reflecting the area’s

solitude. The woodwind oboe seems

ideal for a musical evocation of such

windswept wilderness. Nigel hopes

Spirit of the Wild, which he describes

as a hymn to nature, will inspire others

to value our natural legacy.

“My trip to Bathurst Harbour

reminded me of the preciousness of the

wilderness and of our propensity to be

subsumed by materialism,” he says.

“We neglect our connection to

country and the wonders of the

natural world, choosing instead to

value only those elements of our

environment that can be quantified by

monetary worth. Such wild places are

truly priceless and we exploit and

destroy them at our peril.”

In the shadow of Mt

Rugby (above), low-

growing native shrubs

thrive along Bathurst

Harbour’s shoreline,

staining its waters

golden brown.

The oboe seems ideal for a

musical evocation of such

windswept wilderness.

FOR DETAILS of where you can next experience

Spirit of the Wild see The List, p108.