
Riversleigh Village Residents

Bridgette Hoatson never knew that it was her destiny to run the Little Red Apple Tearooms in the village when she came and found the cottage in the apple orchard. Her tearooms are a favourite meeting place for travellers who stop to chat about books and tell stories of their Lemurian Adventures in her Tea House. But, of course, she also offers classic apple cider and plenty of apple pie.

Now don’t you all be thinking that all the Lemurian Elders are elderly folk. Young Rosie Duncan came on one of the journeys and revealed wisdom beyond her years. She made Riversleigh Village home and runs the clothing exchange. You will find the most amazing bargains in Rosie’s store. In another life she worked for a big fashion house but, tired of the corporate life, a life that stripped her of spirit, Rosie came to Lemuria and now she has found the place she likes to call home.

Zinnia Edward’s hand crafted wooden horses are highly sought after. Her carousel horses can be found at the Duwamish Marina. Each horse has a ’spirit’ and becomes a spirit horse to any lucky individual who is able to acquire one. But like the Samuri sword maker, Zinnia will only permit those with artistic spirit to become a caretaker of one of her horses.

Bethany James reads Tarot and keeps the small apothecary in Riversleigh Village. She spends hours gathering herbs from the mountain sides and runs sessions making creative medicine bags. A mistress of all trades Bethany also runs the local film society and shows art films at the small retro theatre.

Gertrude Edwards runs the Three Little Pigs, a scrapbooking, visual art store to die for. Visit Gertrude and she will have any supplies that you need.

Jonas Shingles has run the Curiosity Shop, in the small Riversleigh Village, for fifty years. From rabbit traps to weathervanes and enamel bread bins, there is nothing Jonas cannot find for you thanks to his encyclopedic knowledge of the bewildering stock in his store. Travellers will find anything they need at Jonas’s place.

Artist, Bob Boyle and his partner Betty have a small studio at Riversleigh. They have been together for forty five years and provide Bed and Breakfast for travellers who want to spend time with them.

Archie and Edna Hair live in a small cottage called the Arches, by the Freestone Creek, where they have been for sixty years. Hoardes of visitors come to join Archie on one of his famous treasure hunts.

Will Reilly, who used to sail the seven Lemurian seas has been combing the beaches of the Isle of the Temple People for more years than he cares to remember. Little has changed since he was a lad. You can find him on the beach or in the local tavern at Riversleigh and he has many tales of the sea

Grace Harvey runs the music school and organises chamber music evenings that are a joy to all who attend.

Tom and Dorothy Hill run the local nursery, renowned for its exotic antique roses.


Heather, these folk, (images) are extraordinary, each with their own story. They are very interesting too, and no doubt we will learn more about them as their tales unfold. A real treat.
Wow! heather you’ve been super busy! I’m always amazed at all the people who inhabit your imagination. Thank you for this.
All these people to learn about and perhaps meet. This will provide hours of enjoyment, I’m sure.
Not quite as busy as it seems Sarah. I did these some time ago and am simply sorting and refiling things where I think that they need to be.
It would be wonderful if some of these people’s profiles were developed as you amble through the village. Most days I try to go down there, if only for tea in the tea rooms.
Thank you! First of all for sharing your art. Are portraits your favorite style of drawing? Second, it really helps me to write when I have a name and a little prompt. I know I’ll be returning to this area and the one about Riversleigh staff during this year. I feel like I’m part of a virtual holo-novel!
What a terrific concept!
Oh, what a wonderful series of images. I shall look forward to wandering through the village and meeting these amazing characters in person.
Your drawings just keep getting better, darling!
Wonderful collection of very interesting people populate Riversleigh. Wonder who I might meet as I amble through the Rose Garden?
This is wonderful! It’s great to get to know some of the people who live in the village.
Bethany James looks sad – she’s holding her stomache as women often do. I think she’s been psychic support for other people and needs to do something for herself. Maybe a class with Grace Harvey?
This would make an interesting story, Keira!
This is a great series of drawings Heather – Will Reilly is exceptional. Grace reminds me of Germaine Greer – and somehow I feel like I met Tom and Dorothy near the Lemurian Mines – but you know, “The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there.”
What a great little village, so many interesting characters, hobbies and things to do and enjoy and a cafe as well. Careful I might become a perminant customer while enjoying looking around the scrapbooking place. I look forward to being inspired. Susan Preston