I grew up in Lithgow to the west of Sydney. My family were/are coal miners and always had coal on their hands and faces. When we went on holidays it would take up to 2 weeks to get clean in the ocean. My dad never showered at home when I was a kid because coal miners shower after their shift before they go home.

When I was 19 I moved back to Sydney after working in Italy for a year. At the time I had an old tiny perfume jar (mystery origin). I still have it and when I take a whiff it takes me back to that time. It smells cheap and spicy. It’s a very apt scent for that time in my life. I have a huge fondness for that smell, even though it’s not a sophisticated smell. It reminds me of the spirit of adventure and of challenging boundaries.

SCENT

Lemon Myrtle (grounding, delicate and beautiful), cheap and spicy mystery perfume, a bit of coal dust.

By

Hannah Octogram