Gary de Piazzi

About the Author

Gary Colombo De Piazzi lives in Perth, Western Australia and holds degrees in education and industrial design. After eleven years teaching Design and Technology he undertook a career change and became a commercial vegetable grower embracing Biological Farming (a combination of organic and conventional methods). Since 1995 he has been studying complementary modalities: Reiki, Crystal Healing, Energy Dowsing, Divining, Earth Healing and Hands on Healing. He is currently studying Alpha Alignment, which aligns the Physical, Mental and Spiritual aspects of a person with their true, divine purpose.

Gary was only slightly interested in poetry when he was at school, often made more tedious by having to memorize meaningless verses. In 2002 he met someone who wrote poetry as a means of resolving issues he was having with his divorce. In 2003 Gary was experiencing similar relationship issues and decided to write poetry as a means of purging his thoughts. The relief that he experienced convinced him to continue writing.

His poetry is as it comes with an emphasis on Nature and the lessons we can learn from it. His philosophy is:

To write words profound.

In few words, change a thought,

shift a perception.

In few words, eloquently used,

change a life.

Gary has a close connection with nature and is confident in the ultimate survival of the planet. The survival of humanity, however, remains in our hands and relies on the choices we make.

View my poetry at Allpoetry:
http://allpoetry.com/GC_De_Piazzi

Book Introduction

The book, “The Pinnacles, A Natural Experience,” contains photographs that show the Pinnacles Desert of Western Australia in its many aspects and moods. It transcends beyond a mere collection of photographs in that its key purpose is to awaken the reader’s awareness, through poetry, to explore nature at differing levels. These experiences can range from simply being awed by a spectacular vista to making contact, connecting, interacting and finally integrating with nature. Through these experiences, a deeper and more meaningful appreciation of nature’s contribution to our lives is encouraged and the voice of the natural world with its implicit message of love, wisdom and balance can be acknowledged.

The book is available from the following retailers:

Planet Books, Mt Lawley
Kalbarri Visitors Centre
Sunset Coast Souvenirs, Hillarys Boat Harbour

Guildford Visitors Centre

Aspects of Kings Park

The Bodhi Tree Bookstore and Cafe
Dymocks – Joondalup, Karrinyup & Garden City

Ledge Point Caravan Park

Caltex Cataby Roadhouse

Pinnacles Caravan Park, Cervantes

Cervantes Best Western Motel

Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre

or by contacting the author directly -
garydepiazzi@bigpond.com

Book Review

The PINNACLES A Natural Experience

Gary Colombo De Piazzi

ISBN 978-0-9805443-0-5

RRP $24.95

Reviewed by Maureen Sexton

This inspiring book brings a message of hope to the reader – that even though we are surrounded by environmental and ecological disasters and destruction, perhaps we humans can have a future on this amazing planet.

Through the use of photography, poems, poetic prose and scientific information, De Piazzi takes us on a journey to the Pinnacles, an area of the Nambung National Park in Western Australia, where limestone pinnacles stand tall in contrast to the surrounding sandy dunes and low scrub. However this is not a quick tourist visit to take a few holiday snaps, this is an in-depth searching into our inter-connectedness with nature and what that means to all our senses. His poetry, haiku and poetic prose evoke feelings and emotions; solid scientific information gives us the geological formation of the area; and crisp, vivid photography gives us not only a visual extravaganza, but also heightens our senses – stirs something deep inside us, that awakens our sixth sense, a sense that many of us have all but forgotten.

De Piazzi captures a vast spectrum of colours through stunning photos taken at all times of day and night, offering a shifting landscape of light and shadow, always accentuated by his powerful words. There is a mist shrouded group of pinnacle mounds with the words alongside “On life’s river /Fog and mist may shroud your course/Trust steers your true path.”

An early photo shows what looks like a moonscape, with words that reflect the uncertainty of driving toward something so beautiful and eerie “astounded and stupefied I just drive”, reflecting that uncertainty we often feel when faced with our own inner voice calling us back to nature. As De Piazzi reminds us “We are born of nature … humanity is a part of nature and not apart from nature.”

De Piazzi acknowledges the ancients and the dreamtime, and amid photos of the “soft … halo” of wind and cloud around these “strange formations’, he talks of Indigenous people who walk “through this strange place where spirits peer from stone, where one is never alone.”

This is a gentle book that takes us into a mysterious world and begins to open our eyes and minds to something profound and magical. It will return later in our dreams and manifest itself in a new awareness and understanding that everything on this planet Earth is interconnected. It will remind us that we need to hear our inner voice of nature, to see and feel our interconnectedness. That is our hope of survival. “The survival of humanity … remains in our hands and relies on the choices we make.”

	Gary de Piazzi Festival Bio garydepiazzi@bigpond.com http://allpoetry.com/GC_De_Piazzi http://www.redbubble.com/people/gcdepiazzi/art	The PINNACLES Poetry, Photography and Prose Sample poem from the book: Listen As the sun slips into the cradle Of the sea, its final rays Pierce the dark clouds Illuminating them With an incandescent glow. Light spills over the horizon Spreads to the land below Bathing it with its final breath Before the silence of darkness Blankets all. In the silence, a voice Struggles to speak A voice born of the earth itself Primordial Once revered by multitudes But now, nevermore. For too long it has Lain smothered beneath the litter Of forests, the dust blown On the wind, the heavy Constructions of humanity. Urgently, it seeks to be heard But ears, congested By incessant clamouring Deafened by the raucous Clatter of machines Fail to hear. The voice of Gaia Cries on the wind In the tide Few hear it, fewer Listen, but cry it does. FESTIVAL BIO: Gary De Piazzi Though Gary De Piazzi has been writing poetry since 2003 his work can be considered embryonic and deals primarily with Nature and human relationships. Forced to memorise and recite verses, he found poetry a chore in his early school years and it wasn’t until a friend used poetry for its cathartic qualities, that he saw its potential. Most of De Piazzi’s early work relates to an exploration of his suppressed emotions and feelings as well as his sense of self. Whilst he has dabbled in various poetic forms and techniques De Piazzi’s preference is for free verse. He has had a number of poems published in various anthologies and is an active member on Allpoetry.com where he has received Gold, Silver and Bronze trophies as well as many Honourable Mentions for his work. Ever prepared to extend his poetry, he has participated in a number of workshops presented by the Peter Cowan Writers Centre Inc where he has been a member since 2004. In 2006 he became a member of WA Poets Inc. 2008 saw the self-publication of his book “The Pinnacles, a Natural Experience” which marries his love of photography and poetry. This book follows his personal journey in exploring and experiencing Nature at varying levels. He is currently involved in promoting and selling this book. Background Gary De Piazzi was born in Perth Western Australia in 1953 and grew up in a rural area on the outskirts of suburbia. In 1972 he was successful in gaining a Teaching Bursary and undertook twin qualifications: a Diploma of Teaching (1975) and an Associateship in Industrial Arts (1976). A Teachers’ Higher Certificate and a Bachelor of Education followed in 1984. In 1975 he was awarded the “Prize in Industrial Arts” from the Concrete and Concrete Products Association for his innovative street furniture and was runner up in the “Peter Sim Furniture Award” receiving his prize “for research and originality of design”. From 1976 – 1986 he was employed by the Dept. of Education teaching Industrial Arts subjects including: Woodwork, Metalwork, Technical Drawing, Home Maintenance, Design and Technology and Photography. In 1987 he underwent a career change and established a vegetable farm in Wanneroo, Western Australia where he successfully grew vegetables utilising the best of conventional and organic growing methods. In 1996 he supplemented this venture by establishing and operating a soil analysis laboratory specialising in quantifying readily available nutrients within the soil. He retired from both these ventures in 2003. Since 1995 he has been exploring his interests in complementary modalities in areas such as: divining, dowsing, crystal healing, Radionics, earth stone energetics, Earth Resonance, Earth Healing, Reiki, “Hands On” healing and Alpha Alignment. Throughout this period he has further appreciated and developed his connection with Nature. Gary De Piazzi currently lives on a semi rural property in Carramar, Western Australia with his wife, autistic son, two dogs and a cat.
About the Author Gary Colombo De Piazzi lives in Perth, Western Australia and holds degrees in education and industrial design. After eleven years teaching Design and Technology he undertook a career change and became a commercial vegetable grower embracing Biological Farming (a combination of organic and conventional methods). Since 1995 he has been studying complementary modalities: Reiki, Crystal Healing, Energy Dowsing, Divining, Earth Healing and Hands on Healing. He is currently studying Alpha Alignment, which aligns the Physical, Mental and Spiritual aspects of a person with their true, divine purpose. Gary was only slightly interested in poetry when he was at school, often made more tedious by having to memorize meaningless verses. In 2002 he met someone who wrote poetry as a means of resolving issues he was having with his divorce. In 2003 Gary was experiencing similar relationship issues and decided to write poetry as a means of purging his thoughts. The relief that he experienced convinced him to continue writing. His poetry is as it comes with an emphasis on Nature and the lessons we can learn from it. His philosophy is: To write words profound. In few words, change a thought, shift a perception. In few words, eloquently used, change a life. Gary has a close connection with nature and is confident in the ultimate survival of the planet. The survival of humanity, however, remains in our hands and relies on the choices we make. View my poetry at Allpoetry: http://allpoetry.com/GC_De_Piazzi Book Introduction The book, “The Pinnacles, A Natural Experience,” contains photographs that show the Pinnacles Desert of Western Australia in its many aspects and moods. It transcends beyond a mere collection of photographs in that its key purpose is to awaken the reader’s awareness, through poetry, to explore nature at differing levels. These experiences can range from simply being awed by a spectacular vista to making contact, connecting, interacting and finally integrating with nature. Through these experiences, a deeper and more meaningful appreciation of nature’s contribution to our lives is encouraged and the voice of the natural world with its implicit message of love, wisdom and balance can be acknowledged. The book is available from the following retailers: Planet Books, Mt Lawley Kalbarri Visitors Centre Sunset Coast Souvenirs, Hillarys Boat Harbour Guildford Visitors Centre Aspects of Kings Park The Bodhi Tree Bookstore and Cafe Dymocks – Joondalup, Karrinyup & Garden City Ledge Point Caravan Park Caltex Cataby Roadhouse Pinnacles Caravan Park, Cervantes Cervantes Best Western Motel Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre or by contacting the author directly - garydepiazzi@bigpond.com Book Review The PINNACLES A Natural Experience Gary Colombo De Piazzi ISBN 978-0-9805443-0-5 RRP $24.95 Reviewed by Maureen Sexton This inspiring book brings a message of hope to the reader – that even though we are surrounded by environmental and ecological disasters and destruction, perhaps we humans can have a future on this amazing planet. Through the use of photography, poems, poetic prose and scientific information, De Piazzi takes us on a journey to the Pinnacles, an area of the Nambung National Park in Western Australia, where limestone pinnacles stand tall in contrast to the surrounding sandy dunes and low scrub. However this is not a quick tourist visit to take a few holiday snaps, this is an in-depth searching into our inter-connectedness with nature and what that means to all our senses. His poetry, haiku and poetic prose evoke feelings and emotions; solid scientific information gives us the geological formation of the area; and crisp, vivid photography gives us not only a visual extravaganza, but also heightens our senses – stirs something deep inside us, that awakens our sixth sense, a sense that many of us have all but forgotten. De Piazzi captures a vast spectrum of colours through stunning photos taken at all times of day and night, offering a shifting landscape of light and shadow, always accentuated by his powerful words. There is a mist shrouded group of pinnacle mounds with the words alongside “On life’s river /Fog and mist may shroud your course/Trust steers your true path.” An early photo shows what looks like a moonscape, with words that reflect the uncertainty of driving toward something so beautiful and eerie “astounded and stupefied I just drive”, reflecting that uncertainty we often feel when faced with our own inner voice calling us back to nature. As De Piazzi reminds us “We are born of nature … humanity is a part of nature and not apart from nature.” De Piazzi acknowledges the ancients and the dreamtime, and amid photos of the “soft … halo” of wind and cloud around these “strange formations’, he talks of Indigenous people who walk “through this strange place where spirits peer from stone, where one is never alone.” This is a gentle book that takes us into a mysterious world and begins to open our eyes and minds to something profound and magical. It will return later in our dreams and manifest itself in a new awareness and understanding that everything on this planet Earth is interconnected. It will remind us that we need to hear our inner voice of nature, to see and feel our interconnectedness. That is our hope of survival. “The survival of humanity … remains in our hands and relies on the choices we make.”