Gnome Among the Gumtrees

The fancy truffles were from Manjimup - land of tall trees and green fields. 

On the way to Manjimup is another mythical place...

Gnomesville.
(Seriously it's on the map. Google it.)

The Legend of Gnomesville.

"Vicki Campbell is a Ferguson valley local who lived on the north western side of the roundabout with her husband Kevin. Both played a fundamental part in the early years of Gnomesville. Vicki recalls her early life with many gnomes around her parents farm.

The story starts when she saw new surveying pegs and found out that the old couple on the south side were to have some of their land annexed for a new T junction. There was much concern about this T junction, not only from the land to be taken but also from the T being at the bottom of a hill.

A public meeting with the Shire and landholders outlined the objections and a decision was made to consider a roundabout. Eventually this came to pass but tensions still remained.

At this time the first gnome appeared. No one put it there. Vicki is quite clear about this. This was the gnome of legend. It was first seen in the hollowed out old tree next to the roundabout. In her childhood Vicki had parked her bicycle here to catch the school bus.

As in the legend, it wasn’t long before other gnomes joined in this silent protest. But the gnomes were not the type to take things too seriously. Some times they would entertain both themselves and spectators with cricket and football matches. The West Coast Eagles football team was the one to beat in those days. They used to play on the roundabout but they were evicted from there.

Within a few months there were perhaps 20 gnomes. Over the years, perhaps 30 of Vicki’s gnomes have come to stay in Gnomesville. And now...

There are thousands.

 I didn't even know there were that many gnomes in this country, let alone in one place.

And they've come from far and wide, each with their own story. 

Over hill and dale...

 

...or in caravans...

...with the few rogue gnomes being put in their place...

 ...before reaching their new home among the gumtrees....

It's gnome sweet gnome.