divining Y

Divine inspiration to solve water shortage?

By Anna Vidot

Who do you call if you want to find water on your property? A scientist? Or a water diviner?

Winston Woods from Sorell in southern Tasmania has been divining water on farms around Tasmania since the 1970s.

He says it's a gift, and he wants to use it to help farmers find water on their land.

"I just wander around, drive around with me car, me van. People invite me to have a look on their places to see if I can find water. I can feel the energy in my vehicle. So then I get out with my forky stick, do a 360 turn around, and I can usually pick it up within about 400, 500 metres of the vehicle," he said.

"I can feel it in me body, it comes through my body. I can't walk in front of a TV. The TV goes all blurry."

One of those who has faith in Winston's ability is David Downie, the deputy mayor of the Northern Midlands Council.

He says all avenues should be explored in the search for water solutions.

"Council has tried to find water within the town boundary of Ross and we've failed. Perhaps if we had've spoken to Winston before we bored, we may have come up with a better site that would have provided a better result from the boring experience," he said.