Dom Paulino
One could be forgiven for thinking that you were in another time or place, in a small town in Western Australia.

The anachronism of the monastic town of Nueva Norcia, has left a Spanish legacy to the people of Australia. In 1846, two Spanish Benedictine monks started a timeless and eternal journey which ended in a location 130 km north of Perth. They held a rare vision for their time, which was to establish a self supporting simple monastic educational and agricultural town while honouring the indigenous peoples. The late Queen Isabella II of Spain, among many other Europeans, sent priceless gifts to help establish this remote village in the hope and faith that in a faraway continent there would be a cultural legacy for humanity, despite the turmoil of their own time.

As time is progressing, this place in the "middle of nowhere" is now fast becoming a traveller's mecca for its inherent Spanish historic and cultural legacy of peace - a haven for those who need to get away. I met writers, retirees, travellers, and a couple of young people who wanted a safe place to stay. The young business woman said to me "In New Norcia we have everything we want; somewhere to rest, a swimming pool, tennis, golf (all in a sand environment) an amazing Spanish Gallery with works dating back centuries, and best of all no telephone or televison!!!". All this comes at a cost of a modest donation to the monastery of only $75 per night which includes self-serve breakfast, a generous lunch and dinner (with wine at both included) and ongoing events. My new friends came every 3 months. Another group at lunch laughed and said "We come here because we love anything Spanish!"

Elegant Dom Chris: Dom Chris showing off his monastic habit and finding friends for New Norcia.
During my visit I experienced a delicious Spanish feast sponsored by Spain's Embassy and Navarra which were celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Hilarian Eslava, one of Spain's greatest composers. An amazing choir from Western Australia University gave a special performance to an audience of over 70 people, with only 4 of us being Spanish.

The buildings of Nueva Norcia are standing proud, solitary and silent with a quality that would rival Parliament House in Sydney. A priceless collection of archives and artworks adorn stone walls surrounded by dry winds and sand of all colours and hues. In the surrounds live what remains of olive trees and old geraniums in pots, which spontaneously appear at the peripherals of my vision.

The European Space Agency uses New Norcia as a space station venue for information on Mars via a state-of-the-art radio telescope satellite dish on the property. If there is evidence of life in another planet, New Norcia "a most unlikely setting" will be the first to know. They look forward to the images from Mars in January. Monks and Scientists together have become a unified force in a remote Spanish town in the bush.

Unfortunately Nueva Norcia has lost an intimate part of its agriculture lifestyle. Once run by an order consisting of mainly Spanish immigrants, the last remaining Spaniard is a profoundly dignified, humble Spanish monk named Dom Paulino. He stands as a testament to the benefits of a peaceful reverence.

Sunrise on the Abbey Church
I woke up at daybreak and whilst having a coffee with the last of the vineyards in my sight, I was welcomed by the sun and the sound of passionate birds. Nearby, a crescendo of beautiful and soulful Gregorian chanting of a small but strong band of Benedictine monks began. Soon after, Dom Chris led me to meet the last of the Spanish Monks, Dom Paulino, who arrived in Australia to join the mission in 1927 at the age of 18.

Paulino's eyes sparkled.

I shall never forget his simplicity of "being". To me, he is simply Australia's greatest legacy from Spain. Set aside from all the great masterpieces of art and majestic buildings, Paulino Gutierrez still exudes the essence of Spain, and this gentleman monk shared some of his memories over the decades, which included miraculous overgrown vegetables, fresh fruit, olives, wine, port, bread, roasted Kangaroo tail and hard work. He enjoyed his breadmaking for over 50 years. When he could no longer walk the distance he rode a small quad-runner as an alternative method of transport.
Viva life! Viva!

Dom Paulino excitedly recounted the story of being reported to the police for shooting the scores of Australian pink galahs which were perpetually feasting on their fruit trees and vineyard. The police investigations resulted in Paulino receiving a license to capture and send the birds for international exchange. However, he also found another innovative use for them as galah paella.
Dom Paulino is innocent and steadfast with wisdom of the ancients. I promised him that one way or another he shall hear the Spanish bagpipes and I'm already planning my next visit.

Viva Espana, Viva Australia y Viva Nueva Norcia, but most of all I say to you! "Viva, Paulino!!!!!!!"