It is about 11 pm on a Tuesday/Wednesday in Byron Bay, and as the last sounds of guitars and singing in the Jungle Hut in the Arts Factory campground die away, everyone makes for the mainland, eager to grab a seat and one of the last fresh mugs on the fluffy blue towel, right next to the water boilers and the coffee machine.

Duncan has already prepared everything, from fresh coffee to hot chocolate, Milo, green, black, and chai tea, and of course, his legendary milk powder. He is now busy explaining to new people that: “Yes, drinks are for free”, just help yourselves. There is only one condition: “Could you rinse your mug after you’ve finished and bring it back so others can use it? That would be lovely!”

Now that everyone is settled with a hot drink in their hands and Gary on their laps, making themselves comfy on barstools, couches and beanbags, a general search for one dollar coins begins, so they can be traded for some of the beloved cookies with Smarties, white chocolate macadamia nut, or even chocolate-coconut-cherry ones.

Cookie night has started and with it, the most interesting part of the night, where people – sober or drunk – exchange their views on all the world and his brother, play pool and/or simply have a good time.

As it is getting morning, people crumble and chat along and more and more partygoers return from the bars in town and stop for a hot chocolate before they finally go to bed or down one or two coffees to keep them going all night.

At 4 o’ clock, when the last cookie is eaten and the common room is empty, apart from the occasionally snoring person on the sofa, Duncan packs his stuff away and like everyone else, looks forward to the next cookie night at the Arts Factory.

Julz