Earth Haven Poem by Francis Duggan

The Dandenong Ranges Nature lovers went north for the new year
To sample the natural life style and for a change in atmosphere
Miles distant from suburbia they went for a short break
To confest or Earth Haven if just for old time sake.

Just off of the Ovens highway out of Wangaratta Town
They pitched their tents in woodland in paddocks gray to brown
Close to the Ovens river by sunlit river pool
Where they would swim and relax and keep their bodies cool.

In Summer's warmest weather close to forty degrees
Some lay beside their canvas tents in the shade of the trees
Whilst others in the Confest Village did workshops and drank chai tea
And did their bit for self awareness and World harmony.

At the Earth Haven Confest you won't find any prude
Many women there they shed their clothes and walked around quite nude
Whilst many men did likewise their manhood on display
Un-inhibited by their nakedness in the bright heat of day.

Yes dress was only optional the choice was your's to make
And for some to shed all of their clothes in public too big a step to take
But in Confest you feel accepted for dress or lack of dress
And no matter what your age and body shape you are seen as equal none the less.

Vic Val and his partner Elizabeth from Emerald were there
Two nice and caring people they make a lovely pair
And Carol McCoy and Simon 'she is a load of fun'
Her laughter is infectious and some new friends she won.

Some times a former husband can prove quite a useful man
And Heather Evans left her two young boys in care of their father Stan
And headed for Wangaratta to join Denise and Shona C
The Dandenong Ranges new age people like one big happy family.

The Monbulk woman Margo with blond to foxy hair
And that well known Belgrave person the smiling Miss Trenair
And Dave Stewart and Moonlight Dancer seemed happy and content
A few days at Earth Haven 'twould seem was time well spent.

A short break from suburbia in a far more peaceful clime
For the very young and not so young and people in their prime
And Christine King the poetess in shade of gum sat penning rhyme
And Zephyr, Kim and family were having a great time.

A few days spent amongst Nature of cares and worries free
And Holly Lindenmayer was there though her I didn't see
I met some marvellous people there and many friendships made
Oh but the days were hot and humid and even warm in the shade

George Scmidt and Colin Still offered massage in the shade of Ovens bank
And I spoke to this South Australian bloke he said his name was Frank
He had driven all of the way from Murray Bridge and about that he could smile
He said he would travel twice as far for the journey well worth his while.

The Aboriginal elder Eddy Kneebone he told us the history
Of his tribe in north east Victoria and his kin and family
He had us in peals of laughter at the stories that he told
His people the first Australians and their history is old

But the Dandenong Ranges people were the people I best knew
And there were many of them there as I've mentioned just a few
And Lyn Forrest one who springs to mind her's a familiar face
Though there were many more I knew by sight and their names I cannot place.

Nubile and older females and young and older males
People from all parts of Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales
Of every shape and colour fair skinned and brown and black
And they all agreed on one thing they said they would be back.

Just off of the Ovens highway out of Wangaratta Town
They pitched their tents in woodland by paddock gray to brown
Close to the Ovens river by sunlit river pool
Where they would swim and relax and keep their bodies cool.