The magpie geese hoot softly as they fly overhead in search of lush watered lawns. Green tree frogs start their distinctive call, testing their voices for the coming wet when they will sing in a deafening concert with each rainstorm.

The pink, purple and orange bougainvillea flowers seem more vivid than usual, and the flame trees are an explosion of bright orange flowers and hanging seedpods.

A rumble of thunder and we have our first downpour, brief but welcomed by the parched country. It brings a cooling breeze, then a humid afternoon, sticky and energy-sapping. We had a beautiful long dry season, but after a poor wet the land is calling for rain.

courtesy Al Jazeerah 

As the seasons change, so too is my life. The tropics has been my home for almost 4 years, Bali then Darwin. I love the lush green country, the warmth, and closeness to the sea. I live in a little community – our 6 townhouses affectionately referred to as Melrose Place – alongside three wonderful like-minded women. We share spanners and lemons, card-games and dinners, camping adventures and stories of our days and lives. A happy coincidence really, one which allows me to feel connected.

I’ve made a few good friends – I lean towards quality rather than quantity – and have shared foreshore picnics, bush walks, waterhole swims, discussions about living a more sustainable life.

And I’ve travelled to communities across the Top End, working alongside Aboriginal countrywomen and men on projects to strengthen their community. A rich experience with lots of learning, meeting facilitation (not my favourite activity) and growing relationships of respect and trust.

On Garrawarra outstation, Galiwin’ku with Rosemary, Garritju and Nyomba

Yet this job is the trigger for my imminent move to Canberra. While working with Aboriginal people on community development is very rewarding – if hard sometimes – the organisational context is challenging. Aboriginal politics has resulted in a tumultuous 12 months; late last year the ABC news was the best way to keep updated! Change, if it comes, will be slow. There aren’t lots of job options up here, so I’ve been looking further afield. Family is also calling: I tend to prioritise work but the kids are growing up – Aunty Kath won’t be in vogue for ever – and my parents are growing older.

Tassie family holiday this year

All the Aboriginal people I work with understand the importance of family, which makes each ‘I’m leaving’ phone call with them a little easier, although after 4 calls in a row I feel quite emotional. Talking of family, I also think I’ll have more chance ‘down south’ of meeting someone to share my next chapter with, walking together, side-by-side. Slim pickings in the north – I’ll be thrilled not to see dead fish, tinnies and fluro shirts on dating apps!

It’s actually not an easy decision to go. Aside from friends, I’ll miss the relaxed lifestyle, exquisite sunsets over the sea, waterhole swims, open-air concerts, the Rapid Creek markets overflowing with tropical vegies and fruit, the Nightcliff pool and my tropical garden. But I won’t miss the intense, ennervating heat and humidity; the mould; the dust permeating the house from ‘louvre-living’; being SO FAR AWAY; and the long expensive flights ‘down south’.

This cycle comes full circle, as I write this looking across the sea to Nusa Penida on a last jaunt to Bali. The next chapter is sketchy. I have some short term work with my old Department in Canberra, will move back to my house and look forward to reconnecting with good friends. Moving forward with the path still unfolding.

Final sunset for my farewell picnic on the foreshore, courtesy of Benita

PS: drinking a margarita while typing on your laptop is not advised, particularly after the second drink. Said laptop is now in the repair shop, unimpressed by a light dousing of sticky, but delicious, liquid !