A Portrait: Of Place, Gratitude, and History

I don’t often explore portraiture, but something about Dunedoo local John Horne stirred an unexpected creative pull. I felt compelled to capture him - not just as a subject, but as a living symbol of the town’s heartbeat - and submit the portrait to Art Unlimited, a Dunedoo institution and one of regional Australia’s leading art competitions.

Most country towns have a “John Horne”: quietly devoted custodians who preserve local history with care, curiosity, and reverence. They watch over little museums stocked with humble yet meaningful artifacts, handwritten records, and memories that drift just beneath the surface. More than anything, they hold stories - rich, verbal histories that deserve to be heard, remembered, and passed on.

John has spent years documenting the lives and legacies of Dunedoo and Coolah, including the region’s Indigenous communities. His commitment is unassuming but monumental. This year, he was officially recognised for his dedication - a small spotlight on a lifetime of selfless service.

Dunedoo itself has become a place of unexpected connection for us. There’s something in the way the the community welcomes you - a quiet assurance, a shared sense of belonging. New friends of ours from Sydney, drawn into Dunedoo through mutual ties, feel it too. It’s not just a place to visit. It’s a place that makes you feel like you’ve arrived.

Together, we wanted to honour that bond, so they generously covered the printing costs of John’s portrait, I waived my usual commission, and we donated the work to the Dunedoo Historical Society and Museum — a gesture of gratitude for John’s tireless efforts to preserve its soul. It's our small way of giving back to the community.

John was able to visit Art Unlimited and see himself reflected in the exhibit — and I returned recently to formally hand the piece over to the museum with great pleasure.

Thank you, Dunedoo — for your kindness, your stories, and the way you continue to hold space for history, community, and home.