Just Coasting : the Confluence of Space, Place and Ecology
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Please do not remove this page Just coasting : the confluence of space, place and ecology Satchell, Kim https://researchportal.scu.edu.au/discovery/delivery/61SCU_INST:ResearchRepository/1267327900002368?l#1367465010002368 Satchell, K. (2018). Just coasting: the confluence of space, place and ecology [Southern Cross University]. https://researchportal.scu.edu.au/discovery/fulldisplay/alma991012822267102368/61SCU_INST:Research Repository Southern Cross University Research Portal: https://researchportal.scu.edu.au/discovery/search?vid=61SCU_INST:ResearchRepository [email protected] Open Downloaded On 2021/10/02 23:11:41 +1000 Please do not remove this page Just coasting: The confluence of space, place and ecology Kim Satchell Bachelor of Social Science (MA qual.) A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of Doctor of Philosophy School of Arts and Social Sciences Southern Cross University, 2018 Table of Contents Abstract i Statement of Candidate ii Acknowledgments iii List of Figures iv Prologue: Love in a changing climate 1 Section 1 Coasting: On the edge of the fold 7 Chapter 1 Oceania rising: A new ecology 17 Chapter 2 Inside~out: An ontology of blue 51 Chapter 3 Auto-choreography: Confessions of a soul-surfer 83 Section 2 Shrine: The place of perpetuity 114 Chapter 4 Shacking-up: The poetics of vernacular architecture 120 Chapter 5 Beachcombing: Oceanic reverie and liminality 154 Chapter 6 A field guide: Seven walks towards the transformation of everyday life 192 Chapter 7 Conclusion THIS: Oceanic life-worlding 232 References 255 Abstract: Human assaults on the environment are now the looming issues of the 21st Century. The exponential forces of population and technology are the epicentres of unprecedented historical advents that are occurring in the swelter of simultaneity and the emergence of the Anthropocene. The deeper concerns of biological diversity and environmental integrity seem to languish in the aftermath of a brutal and malignant efficiency bent on exploitation and vested interests. The work of this thesis unfolds providing potent metaphors and cogent perspectives to think through life-affirming responses to ecological crisis. The chapters respond to the critical questions of existence as meditations on air, water, food, shelter, recreation, outdoor living and multi-species relationships. What are the crucial practices appropriate for place-making / place-writing at this time? Can these creative non-fictions support shifts in consciousness and better treatment of the environment? What role might the environmental humanities play in communities of environmental practice? The specific context of living on the coast, amid surfing culture, situates this thesis at the confluence of space, place and ecology, as a speculative work of multi-species ethnography and coastal philosophy. The urgency for human responsibility requires significant transformations that connect creative practices with the everyday to promote a plausible environmental culture of the future. The purpose of new ecologies of living are to utilise the care-of-the-self to realise a broader place-sensitive ecology-of-care. On the edge of these folds still shimmer possibilities rising on the horizon of an awakening. i Statement of the Candidate This work has not been submitted for a higher degree to any other university or institution. This is the sole work of the candidate comprised of the original work not published in any other form unless cited. There is no conflict of interest or nor have there been any financial benefits accrued in the process of this work. The intention of the language is predicated upon a fundamental assumption upon gender neutrality although not always reflected in the literature. ii Acknowledgements There are a number of influential people who deserve acknowledgement as colleagues and many whom have become the dearest of friends in the background and evolution of this thesis. Firstly, my sincere thanks to Baden Offord who opened the way for my exploration of higher learning. As a tireless supporter and confidant, he provided the catalyst of encouragement that allowed me to gain some momentum in those early years. Deborah Bird Rose gave to me the wonderful gift of friendship, providing an exemplary model of scholarship and a generosity of spirit that has proved to be an invaluable mix of qualities in the face of the inevitable incongruities entailed in academic work. Kangaloon colleagues of the highest calibre offered their friendship and elevated conversations in some wonderful encounters of intellectual fellowship. Debbie Rose, Martin Harrison, Lorraine Shannon, Freya Mathews, Mark Tredennick, Peter Boyle, Kate Rigby, Kumi Kato, Linda Williams, James Hatley, Mathew Churlew, Lousie Fowler-Smith and Janet Laurence. It has been my privilege to have been so closely associated with so many luminary figures. Clifton Evers and Rebecca Oliver shared with me the joys and frustrations of surf culture in the context of academic work and were both supportive on a professional and personal level at key moments in the process. Emily Potter is an academic whom I hold in the highest regard. Any contact with her work or personally in conversation, I found to be inspirational and uplifting. She exudes a quiet charm and confidence in her own worth that I found nourishing for my own aspirations. Her unflinching support and belief in my ability quietly accompanied me in the most arduous moments. Moya Costello came into play at the back end of the project as a supervisor showing enormous patience coupled with frank feedback and wise counsel at a critical juncture. I appreciated the personal commitment she showed to see me through. Finally, thanks to Lynda Hawryluk whose professionalism and poise steadied the ship at the right moment allowing me to bring the work to completion. iii List of figures Photos are the author’s own, except where noted. Figure 1 Self Portrait vi Figure 2 A babe in arms Oceanus Church Point 1960 photo: Arthur Satchell 2 Figure 3 Beside restful waters 6 Figure 4 Southerly comes to town 10 Figure 5 The woven fabric of the foreshore entangles the imagination in its clever designs 16 Figure 6 A pied oyster catcher warily regards an interruption to the daily round 20 Figure 7 The folds of the soul illuminated by water if you look long enough 28 Figure 8 Looming in the imagination 34 Figure 9 Everyday fertility rites 43 Figure 10 Sky bottle blue greens and cat’s paws 53 Figure 11 Fishing in the shade of the moon 62 Figure 12 Silken blue tones soften the mood 67 Figure 13 Afternoon delight in blue 80 Figure 14 Finless auto-choreography fingertip control photo: Nikki Schmidenberg 85 Figure 15 Byron Bay Surf Festival 2014 talking story photo: Taylor Miller 98 Figure 16 More ways than one to get hooked 109 Figure 17 Another happy birthday in July 112 Figure 18 Cosy hideaway with a view close to beach 118 Figure 19 Cubbies can be fun too photo: Tom Woods 121 Figure 20 Diminutive spaces have a certain appeal when they open out 130 Figure 21 A spell on Coramba 135 Figure 22 Dreams linger in the shadow play where foliage and fabric overlap 144 Figure 23 Sanctuary is thought as well 147 Figure 24 The seasoned beachcomber sharpens an acuity for the supermundane 155 Figure 25 Walking among the layering edges of fractal complexity 162 iv Figure 26 Wading tentatively into the enchantment of another’s life-world 170 Figure 27 Another fellow marooned by consumer culture and repurposed as a witness 175 Figure 28 Crafted from driftwood a dancing eagle totem 179 Figure 29 A young Orca washed ashore in heavy seas touches these adolescents 186 Figure 30 A banksia bends into the sort of thicket honey-eaters adore 195 Figure 31 A price piece of the headland puzzle 197 Figure 32 The closer you get the more detail becomes enlarged 199 Figure 33 Out and about polishing the silverware 202 Figure 34 Looking back at Emerald from back Sandy 204 Figure 35 A silhouette provides sharp relief for Diamond Head 205 Figure 36 The maze of rocks fallen from the cliff where the crypt allows passage 209 Figure 37 The front Emerald Beach Zen garden 210 Figure 38 On a sea so calm as this one 212 Figure 39 The masked philosopher photo: Justin Holland 214 Figure 40 A beachcomber’s conviviality 215 Figure 41 The entrance sentinel to the northern cove ideal for collecting 218 Figure 42 My beloved Witch’s Hat 222 Figure 43 An old salt dips a line fishing for a moment’s peace 225 Figure 44 Sometimes things occur inexplicably and need further inquiry and study 227 Figure 45 The Sphinx 228 Figure 46 The onto-poetics of the living world can use any forms 229 Figure 47 A bowl of water in a rockpool becomes a portal for prayer 230 Figure 48 Dolphins are the undisputed masters of the wave zone photo: Tom Woods 238 Figure 49 The amenity of the saddle seems as if purpose built as a viewing platform 239 Figure 50 On another day I would not dare walk down in there 245 Figure 51The bend in the track at the surf checkpoint where sometimes there is gold 246 Figure 52 A mob of galahs flying in formation 247 v Figure 1 Self Portrait You touch one thing deeply and everything is there Thich Nhat Hahn vi Prologue: Love in a changing climate Once in his life a man ought to give himself up to a particular landscape in his experience, to look at it from as many angles as he can, to wonder about it, to dwell upon it. He ought to imagine that he touches it with his hands at every season and listen to the sounds made upon it. He ought to imagine the creatures there and all the faintest motions of the wind.