Issue 47 Aurora Magazine April 2022

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enchant DISCOVERER IAN RORKE The Secrets Behind the Denmark River Fairy Doors STORY DEANNA DAVENPORT | PHOTOS DEANNA DAVENPORT If you take a walk along the Denmark River and listen carefully, you may hear the tiny sounds of wing flutters and chitter-chatter. Or perhaps at night you might see the faint glow of fire light along the riverbank in the distance. However you discover their presence, all it takes is a little faith, trust and imagination to see the Denmark River Fairies. The calm waters of the river and surrounding bush along the Mokare Heritage Trail are said to be home to a group of the mystical creatures, and their residence in the area is evident by small wooden doors nestled amongst the bush. The fairy doors first started popping up in May 2021, with only a small number of fairies choosing the Denmark River to be their home. Almost a year later, more fairies have moved in and the river is now home to twenty tiny doors, each with their own unique design. The doors are mainly crafted from wood with a brightly painted coloured door to help fairy seekers match the door to its owner, and are commonly found at the base of trees or higher up the trunk. Newer dwellings might be made from small logs, complete with tiny windows and a chimney. Denmark resident and first discoverer of the Denmark River Fairies Ian Rorke was named the ‘foundation human’ by the fairies after he stumbled across them on a morning walk. “I’m a photographer and I was trying to capture a photo of a white egret along the river on a foggy morning in May,” he recounted. “And as I was walking around, I heard this tapping noise. I went to investigate and found these tiny little fairy craftspeople and they were building dwellings for other fairies because they really liked Denmark and wanted to move in. “So I got chatting with them.” Mr Rorke said he was given special permission by the fairies to make doors. “I look after the maintenance and communication for the fairies,” he said. The way he described it, the Elder fairies Foo and Dym bestowed upon him the gift of a hammer to carry out duties of maintenance on the doors and communication between humans and fairies. Since then, fairy doors have been popping up along both sides of OPPOSITE PAGE: Fairy door craftsperson Ian Rorke beside fairy Ginny’s door. 14 LOVE LOCAL
enchant the Denmark River in a rainbow of colours, sizes and designs. OPEN 7 DAYS Mr Rorke said the Elder fairies Foo and Dym have not moved in just yet but their dwelling should be installed very soon. The doors also come with an ancient inscription called ‘Ogham’ on the frames, which Mr Rorke described as well-wishes to those who read it. “The fairies, back in the third century, had a secret language which is called Ogham and they shared that with the Druids and that became known as the earliest Irish written language,” Mr Rorke said. A R T . G I F T S . G A R D E N huge range, local artisans, relaxed shopping “Some of the doors have Ogham written on them - just one word that bestows on the fairy seeker a well-wish like love, peace, hope, luck. And so, even though people can’t read the Ogham because it’s an ancient language, it’s there and it gives that wish to whoever is looking upon it.” The Denmark River Fairy Doors trail stretches all along the easter side of the river from South Coast Highway, down to the bridge near the caravan park then up again along the western side. The trail has become popular with families and people of all ages, particularly over the holiday period and Mr Rorke was pleased to see the fun and magic the fairy doors were bringing to people. “I’ve seen 80 and 90-year olds come and look for the doors,” he laughed. “It’s a beautiful walk and it’s for all ages. I see a lot of grandparents and parents bring the kids along and they just go looking for them and get all excited. They really enjoy being out in the open and looking for the fairy doors and they usually leave a little gift, like a flower or a small pile of sticks for firewood.” Mr Rorke says the gifts are always warmly welcomed, but he adds a reminder to only leave the fairies organic gifts as anything plastic can end up in the river. light towers As the trail grows with a new door each time a fairy moves in, Mr Rorke said he hopes to bring something special to the Denmark community involving the fairies in the coming months. So next time you take a stroll down the river, pause a moment to turn your eyes – and your imagination – to look for the tiny, mythical creatures flying about, making the Denmark River their home. BELOW CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Dwelling belonging to fairies Stuart and Jan. Fairy Holly’s yellow door. Fairy St John’s wooden door. Fairy Ron’s blue door. custom cut metal big range of river stone garden edging Call Ian - 0437 423 344 or Jane - 0427 448 481 2a/230 Chester Pass Rd, Albany designerdirtwa.com.au Follow us LOVE LOCAL 15
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Issue 47 Aurora Magazine April 2022

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