Four poets met on Wednesday morning, 21st October, 2026 at Milsons Point station: Carol Reynolds, Vanessa Proctor, Nick O’Connor and myself. While waiting outside the station for everyone to arrive, a woman approached and asked if we were with the sketch group. I replied that we are haiku poets who sketch with words.
We walked to nearby Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden, overlooking Lavender Bay, Luna Park and the Harbour Bridge. Fortunately, the weather was pleasant. There were many opportunities to gather word images as we each explored the garden’s richly vegetated terraces, winding paths and steep steps. We admired some magnificent old fig trees. The garden is also filled with whimsy, with many rusty relics such as a wheelbarrow, a trike, and a sewing machine, and an eclectic array of rescued seating. The brush turkeys and other smaller birds entertained us.
After wandering for about an hour, we re-grouped under one of the spreading figs to share some draft poems and discuss aspects of our craft.
At the conclusion of the gathering three of us returned to the station along the harbour, where the whimsy continued in several small statues along the Comic Walk, the smiling face of Luna Park and the newly re-furbished North Sydney Olympic Pool, with its art deco frog decorations.
Leanne Mumford
Convenor, Gadigal Ginkō
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