Eucalypts of Narrogin - Art, Science and Story
Pilot Project: Year One
Starting this project
Very important: we applied for a permit to allow us to collect plant samples.
Native flora (including flowers, seeds, whole plants, timber and firewood) is protected in Western Australia.
Flora Licence Regulation 61- Take flora from Crown land for non-commercial purposes (ie. research, education, art and hobby, specimen lodgement)
Regulation 4 Authority Form-To take flora in CALM Act lands (for example national park, nature reserve)
​See https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/licences-and-permits/flora
We also obtained permission from Narrogin Shire to collect samples from Shire land for this project, and from private land owners where applicable.
​
1. Eucalypt dye is substantive - no mordant is needed to bind dye to fibre, but we were interested in what colour differences would be demonstrated by mordants before dyeing, and modifying fibres after dye bath.
We began by trialling a range of mordants and strengths. Here is our final dye process.
​
2. Tannin experiments
Traditionally, cellulose was treated with a tannin before mordants to add depth of colour and light fastness. As we were keen to use locally grown tannin obtained from acacia gall, we started with a tannin dip before all other mordants.
An early lightbulb moment was deciding to test local acacias.
See what we decided as a result.
​
3. Choice of materials
Protein and cellulose fibres take up dye quite differently. We were keen to use merino wool fabric as well as silk and cotton. Our initial experiments were using etamine wool fabric, which was expensive and fragile. As we sought other wool samples, we learnt about the demise of the wool processing industry in Australia. Finally, we decided to use merino wool yarn, as this would be readily accessible. Have a look at the amazing difference in colour depending on just which yarn you choose.
​
​​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
All Australian merino wool
4. Choosing our target trees
We started with trees in our town area but rapidly realised that many of these were not local.
Looking at maps around us revealed that Narrogin was in the middle of several bioregions of great significance in the eucalypt world. A 50 kilometre radius included major reserves such as Dryandra, Foxes Lair, Dongolocking, Tutanning, Jaloran, Wedin, Lavender, Yilliminning, North Wagin. This area encompasses the beginnings of four river systems, the Blackwood, Hotham, Avon and Warren. This, along with some interesting geological formations, means that the area is quite diverse botanically. And of course, we are part of the amazing richness of the Wheatbelt Woodlands.
​
​Our list of trees developed from consultation with Peter White and Malcolm French.