The Spoken Word in Bush Poetry

[Gary Harding]

Updating a Prior Post

The Meeting and tour with John Barounis MP went very well! I believe he basically understood what he was seeing and we got on famously.

"The Queensland Government has no money" he started off by saying... thinking my aim was to put the bite on him. I was quickly able to say we do not accept Government money for reasons I was only too happy to explain. And did so later.

We agreed on a next step which should happen soon. Whether this tour can be declared "a success" of course depends if it leads anywhere useful.

Are there any People of Means in Australia who are also Patriots with a real, as opposed to a loudly proclaimed love of their country???

With philanthropy, one mostly writes an arms-length cheque and prays. By contrast, here every dollar will be well spent, accounted for and 80% secured by land and building. A true Legacy too.

So far the answer is a resounding NO! No such person exists.

Wouldn't the people who fought for their country, with some sacrificing their lives in horrific circumstances, be so proud of Australia and Australians for that? It is my belief that the measure of the person is not the boasted size of their bank account, that's nonsense, but what they can do for their country. How they apply their own massive financial resources to benefit the country that gave them so much. They are the Real Men or Women.

Those who turn their back are.. well, exactly what they are. This is Australia's only chance.. nobody else could do it... so One loses their Culture and National Identity, or not. One chance at it. Who cares anyway?

.. but we press on regardless... to the end.. for Australia

[Gary Harding]

I have previously outlined the popular New Idea and The Australian Women's Weekly magazines, with an emphasis on the terrific old editions.

The third magazine was The Australian Home Journal.

Again, I find the older editions particularly fascinating, as do visitors here.

Below is a selection of twelve Australian Home Journals from my Collection, all dated in the 1940's. They have their original patterns included too.

An interesting motto is at the top of a couple of them : "They Fail Who Do Not Strive"

What great magazines these were in those times when television etc was not available.

One might imagine that world not too long ago when radio (Old Time Radio, previously mentioned. Dad and Dave etc) was king and when quality magazines with their diverse content formed such a cornerstone of life.

It is history certainly, but above all it is Australian Culture. Luckily these can eventually be reproduced for visitors to browse which is important in terms of having "interactive" displays.

Gathering material not for the sake of "having" or "collecting" but with the specific purpose of putting it in front of the public so they can marvel at the culture of their own country. For future generations to have an understanding of the cultural foundations of Australia and to be a bit... dare I say it... Patriotic!!?

I would love to have some from the 1930's era... I keep looking.

All the best, Gary

[Gary Harding]

Presentation for parliamentary visitors.

The Project name was later amended to The Australian Cultural Centre in order to more correctly reflect its contents. By titling it The Banjo Paterson Cultural Centre (in his honour), we reasoned that people would have possibly thought it was all about bush poetry and avoided it. Not being "poetry" fans.

Australia has a fabulous culture of its own. A true National Identity which is being deliberately eroded and overwritten. And apart from the occasional, well-paid, talking-head on tv, nobody apparently genuinely cares. All one sees is words... speeches at exclusive dinners... indignation by people who are paid to be indignant.
And I am cynical because I have written to these self-proclaimed nationalistic crusaders on TV... and not even received a reply. So much for them.

Who knows the fact that there are ten Chinese Cultural Centres in Australia? And not one Australian Cultural Centre?!! I told someone that and they refused point blank to believe me. There is comfort in denial, I suppose. It is very scary if one stops to think about it, but the consequences of that "looking the other way" are borne by future generations ... so who cares. Live for the day.

"I knew it was wrong but what could I do? I am just one person." Echoes of the end of WW2?

Why not take the time as "one person" to do something... at least raise your hand in objection...or better still support this Project here, and on FB...and if not, then surely one must share the national guilt. Be "one out".. be brave. You are giving a hand up to Bush Poetry at the same time.

The saving Vision is right here and only here. Exclusively. Henry Lawson would definitely applaud. He wrote about The Men Who Made Australia (1901). What about The Men Who Lost Australia (2025).. today?

Nobody else in Australia could undertake this patriotic project.. have the technical ability, Collection and knowledge base to attack it. The guts and determination.

Lose this vital project... fail to actively support it....and one loses one's country. Full stop.