Nepalese Writer and Literature in Australia- My Vision and Plan: Journal 4

15 July - 14 August 2023: Monthly Journal 4 

Welcome to the fourth edition of my monthly journal, where I document my efforts to promote Nepalese literature and writers (AB) and remain true to my commitments. I invite you to read along and share your valuable insights to enrich my learning and initiatives. 

Celebrating the 210th Bhanu Jayanti in Rockdale- Saturday, 15 July 2023 

The International Nepalese Literature Society-NSW organized the 210th Bhanu Jayanti event at Rockford College, Rockdale. Bhanu Jayanti is an annual observance held on July 13th (29th Asar in the Nepali month) to honor Bhanubhakta Acharya (1814–1868), the Nepali writer renowned for translating the epic Ramayana from Sanskrit to Nepali. Bhanubhakta Acharya, often referred to as "Aadikabi," meaning "the first poet," holds a pivotal position in Nepali literature. 

During this event, we also celebrated the contributions of Motiram Bhatta (1866–1896), who played a significant role in promoting Bhanubhakta Acharya's Ramayan and shaping Nepali language and literature. 

Noted poets like Dr. Madhu Sudan Pudasaini, Maheshwar Sharma, Nisprabh Saji, Pratigya Adhikari, Sima Roshi, Ram Koirala, Bishnu Ghimire, Prabin Tandan, Jitendra Malla, and many more graced the event with their poetry recitations. Distinguished guests Dhruba Hari Adhikari, Dr. Narayan Pradhan, and Nanda Gurung (President NRNA-Australia) added to the occasion's significance. Mamata Tiwari chaired the program, while Prakash Poudel skillfully hosted the event. 

Personally, the day was memorable for me as I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Narayan Pradhan, the claimed first Nepali migrant to Australia. I look forward to meeting him to explore into his journey and experiences, hoping to gain valuable insights. Another delightful encounter was with Jitendra Malla, the pioneer behind the 'Ghazal Mushayara Pariwar,' an informal group of Ghazal writers in Sydney. I extended my best wishes for his upcoming event Gazal Mushayara scheduled for August 23, 2023, at Civic Theater, Hurstville. I'm eagerly anticipating these events. 

Samjhana Pathshala Term 3 Meeting and Library Bag Handover- Sunday,16 July 2023

Participating in the Lesson Planning Meeting at Samjhana Pathshala in Seven Hills was insightful. Our discussions revolved around curriculum design, addressing teacher challenges and opportunities, managing growing student numbers, and enhancing student discipline. 

After the meeting, a library bag containing over 40 children’s books in Nepali was handed over to Sitaram Ghimire (President of Blacktown Nepalese Community-Australia) and Prakriti Shrestha (Principal of Samjhana Pathshala). It is my hope that this portable library will prove beneficial for both students and educators. 

 

SAFAL 2023 Meeting- Tuesday, 18 July 2023

I attended a core team meeting for the South Asian Film, Arts & Literature (SAFAL) Fest 2023 at Wenty Leagues, Wentworthville. This annual event, organized by the Australian South Asia Forum Inc. (ASAF), celebrates the diverse arts and culture of South Asian nations. ASAF was established in 2017 under the leadership of Ash Gholkar, and the festival debuted in 2019. 

Our discussions covered the organizing committee, promotional flyers, budget allocation, and various performances like dance, singing, poetry, paintings, and photography. Program dates were set for September 23 and 30, 2023, for the performances and Gala, respectively, at North Ryde School of Arts Community Centre and Pioneer Theatre in Sydney. 

The attendees included Ash Gholkar, Kadarnath Pagaddinnimath, Reza Rayan, Sakina Akter, Sanu Ghimire, Saurav Kiran Shrestha, Kavitha Jeyakumar, and Sriyani Tenekoon. The meeting was presided over by Saliya Tennakoon (Festival Director SAFAL 2023). 

For detailed event information, please visit: SAFAL FEST 2023

Max Weber Library Visit with Dhurba Hari Ghimire- Friday, 28 July 2023

Accompanying Dhurba Hari Ghimire, a seasoned journalist from Nepal, on a tour of Max Weber’s Library in Blacktown was a privilege. We explored the library's community language section, which houses Nepali books. 

Our discussions centered on Nepali literature and writers, brainstorming ways to enhance their presence in Australia. I am excited to announce that a book donation program to the library is planned for September. Dhurba dai expressed his willingness to contribute books. 

During our interactions, Dhurba dai advised me to use 'Nepali' instead of 'Nepalese.' Although I'm yet to understand his perspective fully, I believe a discussion or meeting to elaborate on this could have far-reaching effects, especially among Nepali writers and authors on national and international platforms and forums including Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) and International Nepali Literary Society (INLS). 

Living Stories Showcase- Sunday, 30 July 2023 

I attended the Living Stories Showcase at WestWords, Parramatta. Being a part of the Living Stories Western Sydney Writing Prize project as a member of the judging panel for two consecutive years, 2022 and 2023, was an honor. This creative writing competition has been a remarkable platform, and I extend my gratitude to WestWords for nurturing emerging writers in Western Sydney. 

                                        

The published books 'Things Unsaid 2022' and 'The Other City 2023' that compile winning and highly commended entries are commendable efforts. Congratulations to all winning writers and participants for their outstanding contributions. Meeting some of you during the event was a true pleasure.

Sabdamala Library Bag Handover- Sunday, 6 August 2023

I handed over a library bag to Bishnu Ghimire, the president of Sabdamala Nepali Language School in Granville. The bag contains around 40 children's books in Nepali, including picture books, aimed at enhancing students' proficiency in the Nepali language.

Sabdamala is a registered community language school that has grown since its inception in 2010. With more than 300 students across various branches in Sydney, its primary objective is to create an enriching environment for teaching and learning Nepalese language, culture, and heritage among school-aged children. I hope these resources will aid the students' learning journey. 

NINFA Event- Sunday, 13 August 2023

I attended an event organized by the Nepalese Indigenous Nationalities Forum Australia to commemorate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People 2023 at Petersham Town Hall, NSW. The event was a vibrant showcase of Nepali indigenous culture, including ethnic parades and dance performances. My sincere thanks to Sanu Ghimire for sharing information and accompanying me. 

On a personal note, I had valuable interactions with Anil Pokhrel (newly elected NRNA- Australia President), Councillor Bhadra Waiba (City of Canterbury Bankstown), and Ram Bhinaju. 

In my conversation with Anil ji, we discussed the importance of developing a common syllabus for Nepali language schools across Australia. As the Nepali community grows, this could be a priority for NRNA. 

Taking a photo with Councillor Bhadra was a proud moment, as she represents both the Nepali and Nepali indigenous communities in the Canterabury Bankstown City Council. I also had the pleasure of meeting Ken P, a singer, songwriter, and musician who has authored three collections of poems and songs. We look forward to discussing his journey in literature and music further. 

Nepali Authors in Australia 

Since embarking on my journey in April 2023 to spotlight Australia-based Nepali Writers/Authors and Literature, I've had the privilege of meeting several accomplished writers/authors. Each interaction has been a source of motivation and inspiration. 

I've read and introduced a couple of books so far, aiming to showcase and promote Nepali authors and literature to English readers in Australia. Rather than terming it 'book review,' I prefer to call it a 'Book Introduction.' I'm delighted to share that I've published three Book Introductions on Nepal Live Today, an online platform:

 "Sambedanako Aakar" - A Poems Collection by Maheshwar Sharma (27 May 2023) 

'Sambedanako Aakar': Poems of love, migration and reflection - Nepal Live Today Nepal Live Today

 "Blacktown to Bhutan" - Memoir by Om Dhungel (19 July 2023) 

'Bhutan to Blacktown': A remarkable memoir of resilience, hope and community development - Nepal Live Today Nepal Live Today

 "Sydney Sapana" - A Novel by Sanu Ghimire Jyotsana (19 August 2023)

Journeying through 'Sydney Sapana': A captivating tale of dreams and realities - Nepal Live Today Nepal Live Today

Key action plans stemming from this month include: 

• Documenting activities, interactions, and initiatives through monthly journals. 
• Engaging in events such as Bhanu Jayanti, SAFAL Fest, and other literary celebrations. 
• Recognizing and honoring Nepali literary figures for their contributions to literature in Australia. 
• Establishing connections with poets, writers, and literary enthusiasts. 
• Collaborating with organizations like the International Nepalese Literature Society-NSW. 
• Implementing library initiatives and book donation programs. 
• Partnering with Nepali language schools to offer expertise and resources, including books and materials. 
• Attending events to meet notable personalities, writers, and community leaders. 
• Participating in discussions to exchange insights and knowledge, including efforts to standardize 'Nepali' terminology. 
• Promoting Nepali literature by continuously reading and introducing books by Australian based Nepali authors. 
• Publishing "Book Introductions" to attract the interest of English-speaking readers.
• Networking with indigenous community leaders to explore potential collaborations.
• Initiating the development of a standardized syllabus for Nepali language schools in Australia.

Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I look forward to more exciting developments in the coming months.

Nepalese Writer and Literature in Australia- My Vision and Plan: Journal 3

 15 June - 14 July 2023: Personal Journal 3

This is the third monthly journal covering my activities over the month to promote Nepalese literature and writers (AB) and to hold myself accountable for my promise. I hope you enjoy reading it, and I welcome constructive comments and suggestions that add value to my learning and initiatives.

In fact, this period became a month of rejuvenation and celebration for me where I was able to re-connect with my family and friends after 4 years in Nepal. I spent almost three weeks (June 16 - July 10, 2023) in Nepal and attended 5 cultural ceremony and family functions like Bartabandha, Gufa, Janku ceremony, and receptions/parties. However, this meant less time for visiting friends, relatives, and the heavenly places of Nepalese landscapes.

Brief meetings with Nepalese Authors and Publishers in Nepal:

Despite having limited time, I made an effort to contact some of my closest friends/authors in Nepali literary fields and publishers. During our meetings, I shared my vision of promoting Nepalese writers (AB), Nepalese community language schools, and the Nepalese Section of Libraries in Sydney. I also requested them to provide some of their books for the schools and libraries in Sydney. In response to my request, some of them generously donated a few copies of their books for the Nepalese Language Schools or library in Sydney. Others have expressed their commitment to donate at a later time. I truly appreciate their support and encouragement.

During my stay, I had collected more than 40 Kg of books, which obviously I couldn’t bring all back to Australia due to the flight’s weight limitation. I left many of them in Nepal, and I hope that in due time, more additional books from other writers/publishers will be added. I am planning to organize shipping or courier services to send them to Sydney in a few months.

1. Notable Meetings in various dates:

I had the opportunity to meet Promod Pradhan and Bijaya Raj Achary, who are the President and General Secretary of the Nepalese Society for Children Literature, at their office.

Additionally, I had brief catch-ups with Saswot Parajuli, Krishna Dip Sigdel, and Dr. Dhurva Ghimire at their residence.

Met Yasu Shrestha at a bookstore. I was lucky to run into Prabha Bhattarai didi in Kalimati. I want to express my gratitude to Saman Shrestha, who assisted me in organizing these meetings.

2. Meeting Jaydev K. Shrestha at Taleju Prakasan - Friday 23 June 2023:

I visited Taleju Prakasan (Taleju Publication) at Bhotahity, Kathmandu. It is one of the oldest book publishers in Nepal since 1993, known for publishing quality course books and literature. I was thrilled to finally get my new release "Social Work: Discipline and Professional Practice" in my hands. The colorful textbook gave me immense joy as an author. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Jaydev Krishna Shrestha sir for his unwavering trust in me, which made this publication successful in 2023 after four years of hard work.

During the meeting with Jaydev sir at Taleju, he also handed over a book titled 'Laxman Rajbansi: Smriti Grantha'. The book commemorates Laxman Rajbansi, who was the founding principal of the Siddhartha Vanasthali Institute. Anita, my other half, and I had studied at the same school, so we both paid tribute to him.

Before leaving the publication, I collected a few author copies of the textbook and 50 copies of the picture book 'Kasko Ho Yo Anda? (Whose Eggs Is This?)'. It's a bilingual picture book for children published in 2009, with Nepali and English languages. The book is illustrated by a renowned artist, Abin Shrestha, and English translated by Anita Shrestha. I heard that there is a bookstore in Sydney that sells bilingual books, so I plan to do some research and contact the shop, hoping it will give me leads for future bilingual books.

Meeting Rajeev Dhar Joshi, Kathalaya Publication, Thursday 3 July 2023:

It was a pleasure to visit the Kathalaya Office. Kathalaya is an independent publishing company based in Kathmandu, Nepal, known for its dedication to publishing high-quality children's books in Nepali, English, and other regional languages. They have published over 350 picture books for children, including stories, fact books, rhymes, encyclopedias, and series books. Over the years, Kathalaya's focus has expanded to include popular literature and youth-centric books for adults and young adults under the imprint named "WeRead".

During my visit, I was warmly welcomed by the Kathalaya team and my friend Rajeev Dhar Joshi, who is the Director/Co-Founder of the company. We had a fruitful conversation covering various topics, including:

1. A scope of publication and distribution of books by Australian-based Nepalese writers.
2. Support from Nepalese publishers and authors for promoting a reading culture among Nepalese children through Nepalese Language Schools in Australia.
3. Mentoring opportunities for emerging writers in Nepal.

Based on our conversation, I am thrilled to share some good news. Kathalaya has provided three library bags and a collection of books at a discounted rate to the community language schools in Sydney. These bags will soon be handed over to Samjhana, Sabdamala, and Pathsala community language schools, benefiting their students and promoting a reading culture in the community.

Rajeev also informally requested me to mentor a group of writers who are involved in a project for endangered animal conservation over an online platform. I am excited to see the rollout of the project soon.

Overall, the month has been filled with valuable connections, productive meetings, and promising collaborations. I look forward to continuing my efforts in promoting Nepalese literature and supporting writers and publishers both in Nepal and Australia.

Thank you for reading my journal, and I eagerly await your valuable feedback and suggestions.

Nepalese Writer and Literature in Australia- My Vision and Plan: Journal 2

15 May - 14 June 2023:

This journal covers my activities over the month to promote Nepalese literature and writers (AB) and to hold myself accountable for my promise. I hope you enjoy reading it, and I welcome constructive comments and suggestions that add value to my learning and initiatives.

YouTube Venture: 18 May 2023

Friend Maheshwar Sharma, whom I recently met, sent me a surprise via WhatsApp. It seemed like a voice message, but it wasn't. It was his narration of a story from my book "Ma ra Buddha" (Buddha and I) - part 1, published in 2017 by Kathalaya Inc. His soothing voice really inspired me to work on it. I exported the recorded voice in PowerDirector, a video editing software, and added background music and some visual elements. It took almost 8 hours of work to make it ready for a YouTube post. I am not a professional, but my previous interest in social and multimedia made my task easier.

Thanks to Sharma, who encouraged me to log in to my YouTube account once again and post the story on YouTube. The story "Siddhartha ki Ama" (Siddharth's Mother) is the second story. If you are interested in listening to the stories, please click the link: Siddhrathaki Ama - Ma Ra Buddha 1 - YouTube

"Ma ra Buddha" retold Siddharth Gautam Buddha's life journey from a third person's perspective. There are a total of 13 stories, each with different central characters whose stories are associated with Buddha's life journey. Each story is independent but connected to all, providing an understanding of Buddha's life from birth to death. The book adopts the style of both a short story collection and a novel. Because the book is also suitable for children and written in simple language, the Nepalese Society for Children's Literature - NESCHIL (Nepalese Section of IBBY) awarded the book as the NESCHIL Children's Book of the Year 2018 for children aged 8 and above.

For English readers, the good news is that I am currently working on its translation.

 

Meet and Greet

I met the following writers as part of my Meet and Greet activities to build rapport and network:

1. Meeting with WestWords Alumni - Friday, 19 May 2023

I attended the Meet and Greet program held at WestWords Centre for Writing in Parramatta. It was a delightful evening filled with music by James Roy, and I had the privilege of meeting a diverse group of authors and writers who were previous members of the WestWords Academy. We welcomed the participants of WestWords Academy 2023. It was a pleasure to meet aspiring writers such as Libby Hyett, Joanne Macias, Artelle Lenthall, Michela Kotevski, Michael Grenfell, and Lana Graham.

WestWords is an organization dedicated to creating and sharing the stories of the people, places, and cultures that comprise the heart of Western Sydney. The WestWords Centre for Writing is based in Parramatta. It believes in the power of literature and literacy (written, oral, and visual), self-expression, and creativity to change lives and the experience of communities. With a strategic focus on children and young people, and through a comprehensive program of workshops, residencies, fellowships, and support for writers, they offer professional opportunities for the growth of distinctive voices. If you are interested in knowing more about the organization and participating in activities, please check the link: Home - Westwords

 

2. Meeting with Prakash Poudel - Sunday, 28 May 2023

I met with Prakash Poudel at Sabdamala Nepalese Language School in Macquarie Field. Currently, the school has expanded to seven branches across NSW. He served as the President of the language school from 2016 to 2018 and currently holds the position of General Secretary at the International Nepalese Literature Society (INLS).

We had a fruitful discussion, sharing ideas and thoughts about my vision and plans to promote Nepalese writers and literature based in Australia. Some key points we discussed were:

Organizing a conversation session on the book "Bhutan to Blacktown" written by Om Dungel in August 2023. This session can be held either online or face-to-face and should cater to a targeted audience. The primary focus of the session will be on the writing and publication process of the book, covering topics such as the writing process, overcoming writer's block, finding an Australian publisher, and the editing process. The aim of this conversation is to inspire writers who are preparing to publish their books in Australia.

Collecting books from Australia-based writers for libraries. Our conversation revealed that there are at least three libraries in Sydney (Blacktown, Auburn, and Hurstville) that have Nepali Language sections. We discussed informing INLS members and writers across Australia to donate at least three copies of their books to these libraries by November 30, 2023, targeting the book donation programs to libraries during the month of January 2024. The objective of this book collection initiative is to contribute to the libraries and also help develop a database of writers and books, which is currently lacking for research and academic purposes. If possible, this can be organized yearly.

Organizing an annual workshop on translation. Initiating discussions with individuals involved previously in similar workshops to explore the possibilities and plan a workshop on translation. Conducting this workshop at least once a year will greatly benefit translators and language enthusiasts.

To give a formal impression toward the conversation, I have also sent an email to him - the General Secretary of INLS. In return, I received a positive response stating that all of these plans are doable, and he will propose them in their upcoming Committee Meeting. His positive expression and feedback inspired collective action. Drawing from our conversation, I am optimistic about achieving positive outcomes in the coming months.

3. Attended an event organized by the Nepalese Art, Culture, and Literature Academy (NKSSP) Australia - Saturday, 10 June 2023

For me, attending literary events is an opportunity to meet and network with writers and community members who are actively contributing to Nepalese language and literature.

With this objective in mind, I attended an event organized by the Nepalese Art, Culture, and Literature Academy (NKSSP) Australia in Granville, celebrating the occasion of '209th Bhanu Jayanti'! It was truly an honor to have the opportunity to meet prominent personalities, writers, and artists during this program. Noteworthy individuals included Sujata Basnet (President NKSSP), Nanda Gurung (President NRNA Australia), Bishnu Ghimire (Pathshala Nepalese Language School), Vishnu Ghimire (Sabdamala Nepalese Language School), Maheshor Sharma, Prakash Poudel, and Sontosh Timilsina.

A heartfelt congratulations to the organizing committee for their remarkable efforts in bringing together such a wonderful event. Their dedication and hard work truly made this celebration a memorable one and showcased the richness of Nepalese art, culture, and literature.

 

4. Meeting with Artelle Lenthall - Monday, 12 June 2023

I had a wonderful meeting with Artelle Lenthall recently! She's not only an amazing published author of children's picture books but also an experienced Primary School Teacher with over 25 years of valuable expertise. Her debut book, 'STAR,' was even published during the challenging times of COVID-19. Her perseverance and advice truly inspired me.

I'm truly impressed by the wealth of knowledge, advice, and guidance she offers to fellow children's writers through her blog, 'Journeygirl.' If you're interested, I highly recommend visiting her blog, Journeygirl | On The Road To Publication  https://journeygirlontheroadtopublication.com/ . It's an incredible resource!

It was a pleasure to meet another talented author who happens to live in Seven Hills, which is nearby in my local area.

 

Sydney Writers Festival - Sunday, 28 May 2023

I attended the Sydney Writers Festival (22-28 May 2023) focused on the theme "Stories for the Future" on Sunday, May 28th, 2023, at Carriageworks in Redfern. During my time there, I thoroughly enjoyed three diverse sessions: 1. Character Construction, 2. Epic Illustrator Battle, and 3. SMH Best Young Australian Novelists 2023.

Character Construction: Andrew Doddo and Kate Foster were discussing their creative process with Adrian Beck. Secrets shared by the authors were: 1. Write and enjoy the writing, 2. What are you thinking? - Write it down, 3. Live with the character and act like the character.

Epic Illustrator Battle: Live battle between the 2023 Illustrators champions of champions. Hosted by Adrian Beck.

Discussion with Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Australian Novelists 2023: Melanie Kembery, editor of Spectrum, led the discussion with the three winners Katerina Gibson (Women I Know), Jay Carmichael (Marlo), and George Haddad (Losing Face) about their works and writing process.

 

Article/review publication - Saturday, 27 May 2023

I have planned to review books written by Australia-based Nepalese writers. The sole aim of this initiative is to promote and encourage Nepalese writers and literature in Australia.

I have reviewed 'Sambedanako Aakar,' a poem collection written by Maheshar Sharma, which was published on the Nepal Live Today online paper. To check the review, please follow this link: 'Sambedanako Aakar': Poems of love, migration and reflection - Nepal Live Today Nepal Live Today

Reflection of the month:

In this personal journal entry, I documented my activities and initiatives to promote Nepalese literature and writers in the month of May to June 2023. The highlights include creating and uploading a narrated video of one of my books on YouTube, participating in meet and greet sessions with fellow writers, attending literary events such as the Sydney Writers Festival, and reviewing books written by Australia-based Nepalese writers. I also had productive discussions with Prakash Poudel, where we explored ideas for organizing a conversation session on a specific book, collecting books for libraries, and initiating an annual workshop on translation. Overall, these experiences have fueled my passion for promoting Nepalese literature and have given me optimism about achieving positive outcomes in the coming months.

Plan of Action:

Building on the momentum of my recent activities, I will focus on the following actions going forward:

1. YouTube Venture: I will continue to create narrated videos of my books and share them on YouTube to reach a wider audience and promote Nepalese literature. Additionally, I will work on translating my books into English to cater to English-speaking readers.

2. Collaboration and Networking: I will actively engage in meet and greet sessions, literary events, and online platforms to build rapport with fellow writers and expand my network. These interactions will provide opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mutual support.

3. Organizing Events: I will collaborate with Prakash Poudel and other relevant individuals to organize a conversation session on the book 'Bhutan to Blacktown' and an annual workshop on translation. These events will provide valuable insights and guidance to aspiring writers and translators.

4. Book Donations: I will coordinate with INLS members and writers across Australia to collect and donate books to libraries, specifically targeting Nepali language sections. This initiative will contribute to the development of a database of writers and books while supporting research and academic endeavors.

5. Reviewing and Promoting Nepalese Writers: I will continue reviewing books written by Australia-based Nepalese writers and actively promote their works through online platforms and publications. This will help raise awareness and appreciation for Nepalese literature within the Australian literary community.

By implementing these actions, I aim to make a meaningful contribution to the promotion of Nepalese literature and writers while fostering a supportive and thriving literary ecosystem.

The Bronze Fish at Tench Reserve: An Art and Connection

Saurav Kiran Shrestha

Anita took us on a 34-kilometer drive west from Blacktown to Tench Reserve in Penrith, where I eagerly awaited the installation of the "bronze fish" into a stone boulder. The bronze fish was my creation and a part of the Tench Reserve Public Art Program. Filled with excitement and curiosity, I stepped out of the car and made my way straight to the park. From the walkway, it was easy to spot the purposefully arranged stone boulders on the low ground, each adorned with specific designs. The scene was picturesque, with the evening golden light filtering through the foliage of the trees, and the serene blue Nepean River drifting silently in the background.

My 10-year-old daughter, Mumal and her friend, was thrilled to see the school of fish and eels fixed into the stones. Together, we rushed to find the fish with our initials on it, the one we could claim as our own. Eventually, Mumal was the one who discovered the fish with the initials "SKS" imprinted on its tail. She knew that the other side of the fish would bear the initials of her and mom Anita, which unfortunately remained unseen.

Seeing the final outcome of this project, a work I had never attempted before, was truly rewarding. I couldn't help but wonder if it was a mere coincidence or an unconscious desire to connect with the community and the land that I now call home, which drew me to this program. My involvement began with the Tench Reserve Public Art Workshops, which I attended on the afternoon of Saturday, August 6, 2022. Held at the Penrith Regional Gallery across the Nepean River from Tench Reserve, the workshops were led by Juan Pablo and Clary Akon. Over the course of the four-hour session, they presented the project, introduced us to the materials, tools, and techniques, demonstrated fish modeling using wax, and guided us as we started shaping our own fish with the wax.

It was fascinating to learn that the fish served not only as decorative elements in the park but also as a means of showcasing the Aboriginal history, culture, and the story of fish traps at the Nepean River and its surroundings. The Aboriginal Ngemba people refer to these fish traps as Ngunnhu. These intricate arrangements of river stones created ponds and channels that efficiently caught fish as they traveled downstream. Through the story of the fish trap, we gained a deeper understanding of Aboriginal food practices, food production, work, trade, and consumption in the Sydney region.

I also discovered that the fish I was modeling was called a flathead gudgeon, a species found in freshwater rivers. These fish generally grow to about 8 cm (3.2 in) in length and possess a large, flattened head with a wide mouth extending past the eyes, as well as two short dorsal fins. Their upper parts can be various shades of grey, brown, black, or yellowish, while their underparts tend to be yellowish. In spring, the female lays 500 to 1000 elongated eggs on a hard surface, which are then carefully guarded by the male.

After the workshop session, we were allowed to take our wax fish models home to complete the task. At home, I worked on my wax model while Mumal and Anita observed me, usually in the afternoons. It was a fun experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed working on it in the comfort of my own home.

The second session was scheduled for August 13, 2022. During the second session, the artist trainers taught us various techniques for adding details to our fish, such as scales, fins, and other distinguishing features.

The highlight of the session was stamping our initials onto the fish as a signature. This exciting moment marked the permanence of our presence, as our initials would forever be etched onto the fish and symbolically connected to the banks of the Nepean River. I felt it was important to establish and feel our existence in this new place we now call home, so I imprinted my initials, SKS, on one side of the fish, while Anita's initials, AS (Anita Shrestha), and Mumal's initials, MS (Mumal Shrestha), on the other side.

Afterwards, the wax fish models were handed over to the organizers. I extend my gratitude to Elissa Macpherson (the Business Operations Officer, Open Space Team, Infrastructure Policy, Department of Planning and Environment) for her support and constant communication throughout the process. She informed us that the modelling fishes would soon be collected from other participants and artists involved in the project, and that the wax models would be sent to Crawford Casting. There, a silicone mold would be made for the larger fish, while the small wax fish would be prepared for casting on trees.

In September 2022, Elissa sent an email notifying us that the boulders had been anchored and would be set in place in the coming days. CaveUrban would be responsible for positioning the fish onto the boulders. If available, we were given the opportunity to attend the site and assist Juan Pablo in finding the perfect location and position for our fish.

Though I'm uncertain if any participants were able to assist Juan with fish positioning, in October 2022, Elissa informed us that the project's progress had been delayed due to rain and a flood warning for the Nepean River, which resulted in the delay of the project activities. Additionally, due to major construction in the area, workshop participants were not allowed onto the worksite. An immersive walkway was being excavated next to the site, and heavy machinery was constantly moving about. It was advised that the walkway would enhance the art experience.

After a long interval, a visit to the foundry was scheduled for a small group on February 21, 2023. Despite the scorching Sydney heat, I made my way to Crawford's Casting in Strathfield wearing closed leather shoes, a long-sleeved cotton shirt, and non-synthetic pants. We were instructed not to touch anything and to assume that everything was hot. To respect the privacy of other artists' work, we were prohibited from taking photographs of their artwork.

Witnessing the inner workings of the foundry was truly awe-inspiring. I observed as they melted bronze and poured the scorching hot liquid metal into the casting tree, witnessing the emergence of the bronze fish from within. It was a breathtaking moment, incredibly satisfying to behold. I couldn't wait to return home and share those precious moments with Mumal and Anita. I took a few photos and videos of the process, capturing the magic.

Finally, in the third week of May, I received an email from Elissa, bringing news that I had been eagerly awaiting. Her email read as follows: "The Public Art at Tench Reserve, 'Story Trap,' is now completed. CaveUrban, with the help of all of you, has created a visually stunning piece of art that reflects the area's connection to the First Nations People of the Darug Nation and the Nepean River. The community fish now swim in schools, keeping Clary's large fish and eels company. The dappled light illuminates different areas of the art during the day, bringing the fish to life. I encourage you to visit Tench Reserve and search for your fish."

I wholeheartedly agreed with Elissa's sentiments. The school of fish truly resonated with me, and I had already made plans to revisit the site with more friends. I highly recommend visiting Tench Reserve, not just for the fish trap, but for the entire reserve park. It is an experience that is truly worthwhile.