Ian – Dubbo in Two Chapters

Ian – Dubbo in Two Chapters

Shared at Dubbo Slide Night

1. Describe the photo.
It’s a photo of me beside a campfire somewhere between Dubbo and Trangie. The sky’s dimming, there’s a swag behind me, and I’m sort of slouched—resting, thinking. I was on a solo camping trip, one of those quiet getaways that sort of arrives when you need it most.

2. What do you feel when you look at the photo?
It takes me straight back to that moment of stillness. It was peaceful, yes—but also thoughtful. I was doing a lot of reflecting at the time. I’d moved back to Dubbo after many years away. The first time I lived here, back in the ’90s, I worked in corrections and didn’t really feel connected. It felt like I only saw the surface of the town—never quite settled. But returning later, to support my family and work in mental health, something shifted. I started to really see the community, the generosity, the people behind the place.

3. Why did you choose to share this photo?
Because it captures the turning point—when Dubbo finally felt like home. That night by the fire wasn’t just a break from work; it was when I realised the second version of Dubbo I’d found was deeper, richer, and full of meaning. Sharing this photo felt like a way to honour that quiet transformation. It’s not a dramatic picture, but for me, it marks the moment everything started to feel different—in my work, in myself, and in how I see this place.