#wangaratta

Bruce is like, “The Australian accent and vernacular is fascinating.”

And he goes down an etymology rabbit-hole learning Australian slang and sitting in the Batcave trying to pronounce “naur” and say, “Gissa durry bra,” in case he ever needs to infiltrate a gang from Mullumbimby.

In 2016, the Australian city of Wangaratta dealt with a hairy tumbleweed invasion. Nicknamed “hairy panic”, the weed Panicum effusum flourished under the dry conditions and a local farmer's field that was left unmanaged. – WTF Fun Facts

Miss Fisher Australia Tour (90)

Because of Hugo Johnstone-Burt’s movie filming schedule (San Andreas), Constable Hugh Collins had to be written off for a couple of episodes. I think the way the show writers worked Constable Martin in as his temporary replacement was really clever. We knew from the beginning that Mrs. Collins didn’t approve of Hugh seeing a Catholic girl, so it made sense for her to finally kick him out of the house after he set the wedding date in S3E2 Murder and the Maiden. Also, the paradox of pursuing a modern woman was not an easy problem to solve. If Hugh had magically figured it out in a short period of time, it would not have been realistic. Last but not least, the introduction of Martin shined a new light on Dot. We always knew that she was “a morally upright and intelligent young woman”, but it carried more weight when the words came directly from Jack “Man of Honor” Robinson to the new constable.

Although Neville Martin dismissed Dot’s detective status and skills at first, he quickly learned that the pretty girl had a lot that he could learn from, and he even fell for her romantically. (Who could blame him, really?) She gently yet firmly let him down and made it very clear that her heart remained true to Hugh’s whether he decided to come back or not. Martin was reduced to tears and asked the Inspector for an immediate transfer back to Wangaratta. It was too bad for the young man, but I am sure we were all very happy to hear that.

I was surprised to find out from Wikipedia that Martin’s hometown was approximately 250 km (160 miles) from Melbourne. They couldn’t find a constable from other stations in Melbourne to cover for Hugh? Anyhow, since the population was only about 2,500 at the turn of the 20th century, it was evidently a small town. I could picture how excited the keen constable must have been when he got the transfer notice to the big city. Unfortunately, his return journey would be filled with sorrow.

If you are curious where the name Wangaratta came from, it was derived from an indigenous language and meaning "nesting place of cormorants" or "meeting of the waters”, which was quite fitting as the city is located at the junction of the Ovens and King rivers. In terms of tourist attractions, there is a website called visitwangaratta.com.au that could guide you through things to do around town from food and wine, sport, art, lifestyle and multicultural events to the famous Murray to Mountains Rail Trail for cycling and walking.

I don't write much about the place I grew up. When I've tried in the past, it always comes out either too jokey and minimising, or too grim and sad. It either comes across as big-city sneering at the small town, or trying way too hard to not be that. It’s always just a bit of a mess.