Solo Steve On The Road: September 2014

We are now on a quest; to find and photograph as many of Western Australia's renowned wildflowers as possible. It is early Spring and the word is that the blooms are already out. It is my intention to follow inland from Geraldton south east down to the mid South Coast and Albany.
One prize that I was keen to secure was to find the elusive Wreath Flower. We had information that examples could be found in an area near Canna in the Mullewa district. Canna started out as a railway siding being so named in 1914 although a Town was not gazetted until 1928. If there was a town here it has long gone with it seems only a rural store, that was closed, and a large grain solo remaining.
We had a " mud map" that suggested that we may find the wreath Leschenaultia about 5 kms along a dirt road that led from the store, right beside the roadway. The plants flourish on disturbed ground, making recently graded roadsides a prime location to find them. They grow in expanding circles, outermost edges of the succulent plant having blooms of vivid deep pink and white that form an almost perfect living wreath. The flower is indeed beautifully unique and I am sure that this may be the only time that I will ever experience them in their natural habit.

The beautiful wreath Leschenaultia

What there is left of Canna

Our "mud map" also indicated that and that there was a place called "The Old Camp" where overnight camping was permitted and nearby dam where many different wildflowers could be found.

On arrival at the Old Camp site came upon a fairly large cleared area with the ruins of an old corrugated iron shack almost centrally located therein. The old building as it transpired was the home of " Frank Ewin Macklin lost his wife and child during World War One. He moved to W.A. and worked on farms in this area until his retirement when he built a shack and lived here for many years. He died in the Mullewa hospital in 1968 aged 85. His was buried in the Morawa cemetery". It was hard to imagine how anyone could live out here in such a basic structure in the heat of summer and freezing winter. There was plenty of evidence that Frank had lived there for quite a while with has rubbish dump full of old tins and beer bottles not far away and a tiny grave that may have been the final resting place of a beloved dog.

We did find the dam and were rewarded with many more lovely flowering examples to kick off my Western Australian collection.

I have no hesitation in declaring my visit to the Principality of Hutt River to be a highlight of this trip. This "Country with a Country" has a fascinating history that is unique. One must give credit to it's founder, Leonard Casley, now HRH Prince Leonard, for having the courage and guile to exercise his common law rights as ensured by the Australian Constitution and challenge the establishment. This fight by HRH and other members of the Casley family eventually resulted in the formation of Hutt River as an Independent Sovereign State that successfully seceded from Australia on the 21st April 1970. One reason why this was possible is that Western Australia and eventually the new Territory of the Principality of Hutt River were never proclaimed British Territory.

I confess here that I have a personal interest, albeit tenuous, that added to the relevance of my visit. I remember a conversation that I had with my then highly regarded English Master during the penultimate year of my secondary education at Kogarah High School in Sydney. He told me that he had been appointed by the newly crowned HRH Prince Leonard as an official Ambassador of the Principality. I recall that this was an exciting revelation to a young, left wing, student like me, as the secession of Hutt river was big news in the media of the day. So, when I had the chance to talk to Prince Leonard during this visit I was more than pleased that he remembered my old English teacher and vindicated his appointment as Ambassador.
The cause of secession seems simple enough. The Casley family who were long time farmers, recently purchased the land that was to become the Principality of Hutt River, in November 1969. To their astonishment they received a Wheat Quota of 1647 bushels for the property of 18.500 acres. Under this new Quota it would have taken five hundred years to crop the same average amount of wheat that had been harvested in the previous twenty years. The gross proceeds would not have even paid the interest on the hire purchase of farming machinery that was in use. This did not allow for any income on which to survive let generate a profit. After numerous appeals for a revision of their quota were refused, there was only one way out, seceded and become a Sovereign State. Then the hard part, how was this to be achieved ? Further explanation of the next fascinating steps in the secession process is far outside the scope of this post so I suggest that you visit the excellent official website of The Principality of Hutt River for a detailed explanation.
http://www.principality-hutt-river.com/
Today, " The Principality is a constitutional, hereditary and democratic monarchy, with HRH Prince Leonard as the Sovereign and Head Of State and a Government is exercised, under the Sovereignty of the Prince, by a Minister of State, HRH Crown Prince Prince Ian, assisted by a Government consisting of as many Ministers, Vice Ministers and State Secretaries as necessary to lead the Country". It boasts both a Diplomatic and Intelligence Service as well as a Defense Force that consists of an Air force, Army and Navy and several state sponsored sporting organisations. The economy is supported by the growing of Wheat, White and Blue Lupins, Barley, Fat Lamb production, Wool and the export of Sheep. In addition Wildflowers are exported to Perth and from there to other countries.
Meeting HRH Prince Leonard in person was another highlight. A little bloke of 89 years old, he belies his age with encyclopedic descriptions of his realm, it's steps in development and achievements, with a rapid fire delivery that in itself is amazing.
After obtaining a Visa, duly stamped to allow our visit, it was then off to an area set aside for camping. Very basic and a bit run down but at $5 per night who can complain.
I suspect that you have already determined that I really enjoyed my first International Visit for 2014.
(Click on a photo to enlarge)