The first week of May, 1993, near the frontier town of Gulgong, NSW, Australia, on the Morning View property of potter, Janet Mansfield, an event took place which could be unique in the annals of ceramic history. Nearly 300 potters gathered together at this spot, about half a day’s drive inland from Sydney, for Fire-Up Gulgong. Billed as ‘A Practical Wood Firing Experience’, it was that and much more. To an outsider it must have looked like a cross between a refugee camp and Woodstock (Woodstoke?) – multi-coloured tents, wood fired showers, dunnies with a view, music, dancing, local wine and home-made food, convivial campfires – it was as much about camaraderie and mateship as pottery.