Last August, I was feel burnt out and worn down. My body and soul were craving rest.

I reached out to the beautiful Phoebe and Dylan at The Corridor Project and asked if they had any space for me - and they made a way.

I was so grateful for that time. They fed and nurtured me and gave me space to sit and be still on Country. Phoebe walked me down to Gilari Bila (Lachlan River is its colonised name) and I sat, and sketched, and listened, and prayed, and breathed in deeply, and cried.

I thought of all the times I had sat in the river that wound around the base of our koro (village) in Fiji - how often I’d seen our river swell and rise during the wet season and also how sad dad had been one year to see the spring had dried up.

Villages don’t function well if the river isn’t well. And people often function in a better way once they’ve been down to the river.

That’s at least what I’ve witnessed and experienced and it was no different that day sitting by the Gilari Bila - watching her flow - over rock, around bends, through fallen tree trunks, burgeoning life within her.

Only days later at home, I would have one of the scariest experiences of my life thus far - passing out twice from severe cramping in the early hours of the morning, spasming pain throughout my body.

It’s still an ongoing part of my journey right now and I’m still trying to understand (with the help now of a neurologist and my other specialists) the underlying cause…but what I know is this: that often before undergoing challenging times for my body, I’ve been led to a space where God has “made me lie down in green pastures” and “led me beside quiet waters” and “restored my soul” (Psalm 23).

I had taken my guitar and my Tascam Portacapture with me on that visit to TCP and was able to write and record this song that afternoon, sitting by the fire. I laid down the guitar track and the lead vocals, and then some harmonies.

I made a little video when I got home from photos I’d taken over the few days I was at TCP. Maybe one day I’ll edit it properly but for now, it’s just a little reel that I can’t even find other than on FB.

I find myself singing this song over and over again months later. I thought it might be nice to have it here.

I’ll always hold that time away so dearly. Thanks again to Phoebe and Dylan for your hospitality and for giving creatives a restful and inspiring home away from home.

I hope you enjoy listening to my song Gilari Bila.

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