In 1995 the roundabout at the Wellington Mills, Ferguson and Lowden Roads was built to alleviate a traffic hazard which was mentioned in a mock Dardanup Council Meeting of year seven students at Dardanup Primary School. On the recommendation of these erstwhile students the Dardanup Shire Council then set the wheels in motion and built the roundabout. Needless to say, this decision did create public discussion as to the cost of such a roundabout in a deserted mill town.
The spin off was that an unknown resident of Wellington Mills (the prime suspects are Vicki Campbell or Kathleen Rees or Lisa Ferris) placed a gnome at the intersection to watch as the roundabout was built. Cheryl Rourke admits to placing the second gnome at the roundabout. The “fad” took off and under the cover of darkness many other gnomes were planted. Once the roundabout was finished there were two teams of gnomes playing a game of football in the centre of the roundabout! At the change in season there was a cricket match being contested.
The Gnomes have since moved to a safe little Hamlet just beside the roundabout and have happily existed there for many years. The Hamlet Gnomesville is maintained by the local Wellington Mills Community Association. Also many new gnomes are brought here by visiting tourists who return to plant a gnome and make a wish, which it is believed the little folk grant. The Gnomesville glade has been featured on many Australian travel shows, radio and in the press. It has been mentioned by international press, was featured on a tourism calendar and has been voted one of the 100 unique tourist destinations. There have been many celebrations of visiting clubs and groups and even one wedding at Gnomesville. There are well over 5000 gnomes now happily residing at Gnomesville.
And here is my LO...Notice the name on the big Gnome
I am sooo feeling strange, it has been sooo busy this week that I did not even get one picture in How I managed that, I have no idea! lol.
Soooo, I still have today to take pics, or I may have to break my rule, and use one from last week or the one before (there were lots of pics to choose from).
I will get a layout uploaded very soon!
Somewhere in all the madness lies the beauty within
Comment