Last year at this time I tried to work out the meaning of "friends".
As was remarked to me.. we certainly know how to separate the levels of friendship in our own hearts and minds. After all. they are the ones still hanging in there with us.
I find it useful to reflect on what has been achieved in 2025.
A Major, Major Project has just been finalised. 18 months of solid work.
It is Confidential but I hope to be able to disclose it soon.
Anyway, a big thank you to all those beautiful people who are still along with me for the ride.
I scratched my head to think of something Original and Poetic to serve as a present from me to all Readers.
So ...below is a timely bush ballad... written by myself some years ago.
I hope Readers have enjoyed this year's offerings.
As Henry Lawson said :
Our hearts are filled with kindness and forgiveness sublime,
For no one knows where one may be next merry Christmas time.
Have an excellent Christmas of profound joy and happiness, and then off we go for another fun year of exploring Australia
All aboard.
Gary
A BUSH CHRISTMAS .. by Gary Harding
Peter Casey with his family kept a lonely outback farm.
He would slave from dawn to sunset to survive.
All his darling little children were the jewels of his life,
And their ages ranged from eldest down to five.
Sometimes seasons would be kindly or perhaps his luck was good,
Then when Christmas came they’d decorate the tree.
But this Christmas he was ruined by the drought that baked the land,
So he gathered all his children at his knee.
He explained that Father Christmas might forget to come that year,
For their home was hidden many miles away.
But their faith could not be shaken nor their expectation dimmed.
Peter knew their hearts would break on Christmas Day.
But in keeping with tradition still they put their stockings up,
With a children's silent prayer attached to each.
They would not be filled that evening; Father Christmas couldn't come.
Being poor had put their presents out of reach.
It was shortly after midnight, or it might have been before
When a barking dog meant something was amiss,
But its warning went unheeded for they all were fast asleep,
Tiny heads had been anointed with a kiss.
And though Peter didn't know it he'd a visitor that night
Who had parked his transportation on the rise
And worked silently by moonlight; magic kept them all asleep.
In the morning they were woken in surprise.
For the stockings that were empty now were bulging at the seam,
And the bush-boys mouths were gaping at the sight,
While the maidens felt the stockings just in case it was a dream,
And their happy faces shone in sheer delight!
Peter murmured “Well I never.." as he stared in disbelief.
"How on earth.." he said and rubbed his sleepy chin,
And a host of like expressions that reflected his dismay,
Then his words were lost beneath the merry din.
There were coloured shirts and trousers and some lace-up shoes as well.
There was underwear to see them through till spring.
Little knickknacks that were treasures like a pocket-knife or brooch,
And for each the children found a ball of string!
On the table was a platter that was spread with tucker grand.
Tasty johnny-cakes and pies and fancy stuff.
In the centre was a pudding iced with sugar dipped in jam,
While beside it stood a damper and a duff.
Never yet was there such feasting; not since Christmases began
And that’s really going back for quite a while.
All the wonder that was Christmas weaved enchantment in the bush,
Painting gratitude and rapture in each smile.
Peter scratched his head and puzzled as he tried to find a clue,
For he knew not how this Christmas came to be.
But an instant revelation would have struck him in a trice,
If he'd seen the melting snow beneath his tree.
The Spoken Word in Bush Poetry
-
Gary Harding
- Posts: 740
- Joined: Sat Oct 12, 2013 3:26 pm
- Location: Hervey Bay, Qld (ex Victorian)
- Contact:
-
Gary Harding
- Posts: 740
- Joined: Sat Oct 12, 2013 3:26 pm
- Location: Hervey Bay, Qld (ex Victorian)
- Contact:
Re: The Spoken Word in Bush Poetry
On March 26th, 2023 I posted here about the artist Jan Scheltema (1861 - 1941). Three other posts also referred to him and his "Bullock Team In The Canungra Forest" painting.
I posted then : "Wouldn't it be something to have one of his original works on your wall at home?", never dreaming that it could ever happen.
However, I am delighted to say that I have made a fortunate acquisition by Jan Scheltema (see below)
An Oil on Board, 48x73cm. Framed.
It shows a resting Bullock Team in the foreground while the bullocky (presumably) has a discussion with a fellow outside a hut or shanty.
Remembering the bullockies for what they did for Australia, and the hard-working beasts too. Enshrining them, as the bush poets did, for future generations. Art culture as well.
The modulated howl of the storm-wind here this evening seems to bear a striking resemblance to the lowing of the bullocks as I post this. Spooky?.. or perhaps not.
This painting really reminds me of Henry Lawson's poem The Shanty On The Rise.
The Shanty On The Rise
When the caravans of wool-teams climbed the ranges from the West,
On a spur among the mountains stood `The Bullock-drivers' Rest';
It was built of bark and saplings, and was rather rough inside,
But 'twas good enough for bushmen in the careless days that died -
Just a quiet little shanty kept by `Something-in-Disguise',
As the bushmen called the landlord of the Shanty on the Rise.
City swells who "do the Royal" would have called the Shanty low,
But 'twas better far and purer than some toney pubs I know;
For the patrons of the Shanty had the principles of men,
And the spieler, if he struck it, wasn't welcome there again.
You could smoke and drink in quiet, yarn, or else soliloquise,
With a decent lot of fellows in the Shanty on the Rise.
'Twas the bullock-driver's haven when his team was on the road,
And the waggon-wheels were groaning as they ploughed beneath the load;
And I mind how weary teamsters struggled on while it was light,
Just to camp within a cooey of the Shanty for the night;
And I think the very bullocks raised their heads and fixed their eyes
On the candle in the window of the Shanty on the Rise.
....... etc
I suppose the Shanty vanished from the ranges long ago,
And the girls are mostly married to the chaps I used to know;
My old chums are in the distance - some have crossed the border-line,
But in fancy still their glasses chink against the rim of mine.
And, upon the very centre of the greenest spot that lies
In my fondest recollection, stands the Shanty on the Rise.
So this is quite a joyful addition. A celebration of this aspect of fabulous Australia.
Something once deemed impossible and out of reach for me has only just become a reality.
And through The Australian Cultural Centre Project, it will be made to benefit all generations of Australians.
I posted then : "Wouldn't it be something to have one of his original works on your wall at home?", never dreaming that it could ever happen.
However, I am delighted to say that I have made a fortunate acquisition by Jan Scheltema (see below)
An Oil on Board, 48x73cm. Framed.
It shows a resting Bullock Team in the foreground while the bullocky (presumably) has a discussion with a fellow outside a hut or shanty.
Remembering the bullockies for what they did for Australia, and the hard-working beasts too. Enshrining them, as the bush poets did, for future generations. Art culture as well.
The modulated howl of the storm-wind here this evening seems to bear a striking resemblance to the lowing of the bullocks as I post this. Spooky?.. or perhaps not.
This painting really reminds me of Henry Lawson's poem The Shanty On The Rise.
The Shanty On The Rise
When the caravans of wool-teams climbed the ranges from the West,
On a spur among the mountains stood `The Bullock-drivers' Rest';
It was built of bark and saplings, and was rather rough inside,
But 'twas good enough for bushmen in the careless days that died -
Just a quiet little shanty kept by `Something-in-Disguise',
As the bushmen called the landlord of the Shanty on the Rise.
City swells who "do the Royal" would have called the Shanty low,
But 'twas better far and purer than some toney pubs I know;
For the patrons of the Shanty had the principles of men,
And the spieler, if he struck it, wasn't welcome there again.
You could smoke and drink in quiet, yarn, or else soliloquise,
With a decent lot of fellows in the Shanty on the Rise.
'Twas the bullock-driver's haven when his team was on the road,
And the waggon-wheels were groaning as they ploughed beneath the load;
And I mind how weary teamsters struggled on while it was light,
Just to camp within a cooey of the Shanty for the night;
And I think the very bullocks raised their heads and fixed their eyes
On the candle in the window of the Shanty on the Rise.
....... etc
I suppose the Shanty vanished from the ranges long ago,
And the girls are mostly married to the chaps I used to know;
My old chums are in the distance - some have crossed the border-line,
But in fancy still their glasses chink against the rim of mine.
And, upon the very centre of the greenest spot that lies
In my fondest recollection, stands the Shanty on the Rise.
So this is quite a joyful addition. A celebration of this aspect of fabulous Australia.
Something once deemed impossible and out of reach for me has only just become a reality.
And through The Australian Cultural Centre Project, it will be made to benefit all generations of Australians.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
Gary Harding
- Posts: 740
- Joined: Sat Oct 12, 2013 3:26 pm
- Location: Hervey Bay, Qld (ex Victorian)
- Contact:
Re: The Spoken Word in Bush Poetry
A Brief Book Review
I was fortunate to recently obtain a copy of a new book written and published by well-known bush poet David Judge entitled:
“A Sense of Place ̶ A Septuagenarian’s Recollections in Rhyme”.
David’s name should be familiar to many Readers as he is consistently listed among the top competition award recipients.
Prior to receiving the book, I found myself expecting a relatively slim publication that included a selection of David’s acclaimed poetry. Such a book in itself would have been a fair accomplishment for him, while for me it would be a further and useful addition to my library.
HOWEVER, this publication turned out to be something far more! It has proved to be a lesson for me in not making assumptions.
In the first instance, I was impressed by the effort and the expense that must have gone into producing this remarkable 200-page (!!) publication that included relevant photos interspersed between poems and anecdotes.
Certainly, writing and collating the material for this tome would have been quite daunting. The time allocated to writing the verse must have been significant as my own experience taught me that even a couple of lines can take hours before The Muse eventually appears.
People have differing poetic tastes insofar as what appeals to them. One size or style does not fit all. However, in this instance, David has achieved something quite unique and with broad appeal in the form of "Rhyming recollections" that utilise both traditional rhyme and meter in telling its story. Rhyme, it would seem, comes naturally to him and his words flow. He travels equally between drama and humour, all with a background of good, old-fashioned values.
With my own grounding in the works of the Master Balladists, I have adopted the traditional ballad structure of having the first letter of the first word of any new line capitalised. Thus, in terms of the modern style of writing bush verse I am likely regarded as a ‘dinosaur’ and yet I am able to well appreciate David’s writing and clever use of words. Make a start and it gets you in.
Considering the relatively short time that he has been writing ̶ which is basically since 2018 ̶ David has accumulated a significant number of competition achievements. The fact that he has consistently ranked highly with a range of judges over numerous competitions is a clear statement about the quality of his poetry!
I suggest that this is not a volume for one to tackle in a single sitting.
In particular, his PNG experiences fascinated me and I found myself wishing there was more. Additionally, with only a line or two dedicated to his contracting cerebral malaria, the reader is left wanting to read far more about this experience.
As a result, I feel that David’s life story might be expanded into a more detailed account, perhaps presented in the form of a non-fiction book. One could really settle into that and enjoy it, I am sure.
The Foreword to David’s book written by “K A” Nelson needs a mention because it is so accurate. In this, K A says, “I commend this poetic memoir to all poetry lovers; people who appreciate the genre, and those stepping towards poetry for the first time. It will appeal to and be appreciated by those with a sense of history and how it informs contemporary life in Australia”.
The scans below, although not inclusive of the remarkable photographs, offer the following:
1. The book’s front cover;
2. The start of David’s poetic dedication to “Banjo” Paterson;
3. A double-page scan where the LHS is the last part of a poem which also offers the reader a sample of David’s application of rhyme and meter.
̶ on the RHS is popular and accomplished, poetry judge Catherine Lee’s perceptive and accurate commentary in dealing with one of David’s poems, Convict Settlers. I feel this commentary can be equally applied to his other works.
I would not normally comment on books of bush verse written by today’s authors because perceptions differ. Plus my assessment is not claimed to be more valid than anybody else’s.
But this is a deserved Exception.
From an author with an astonishing record in competitions comes:
A Sense of Place ̶ A Septuagenarian’s Recollections in Rhyme.
Such a sizeable book certainly deserves an honourable mention and I’m sure that anybody who purchases a copy will not be disappointed.
($30 + $8.50 pp) info@davidjudge.au www.davidjudge.au
I was fortunate to recently obtain a copy of a new book written and published by well-known bush poet David Judge entitled:
“A Sense of Place ̶ A Septuagenarian’s Recollections in Rhyme”.
David’s name should be familiar to many Readers as he is consistently listed among the top competition award recipients.
Prior to receiving the book, I found myself expecting a relatively slim publication that included a selection of David’s acclaimed poetry. Such a book in itself would have been a fair accomplishment for him, while for me it would be a further and useful addition to my library.
HOWEVER, this publication turned out to be something far more! It has proved to be a lesson for me in not making assumptions.
In the first instance, I was impressed by the effort and the expense that must have gone into producing this remarkable 200-page (!!) publication that included relevant photos interspersed between poems and anecdotes.
Certainly, writing and collating the material for this tome would have been quite daunting. The time allocated to writing the verse must have been significant as my own experience taught me that even a couple of lines can take hours before The Muse eventually appears.
People have differing poetic tastes insofar as what appeals to them. One size or style does not fit all. However, in this instance, David has achieved something quite unique and with broad appeal in the form of "Rhyming recollections" that utilise both traditional rhyme and meter in telling its story. Rhyme, it would seem, comes naturally to him and his words flow. He travels equally between drama and humour, all with a background of good, old-fashioned values.
With my own grounding in the works of the Master Balladists, I have adopted the traditional ballad structure of having the first letter of the first word of any new line capitalised. Thus, in terms of the modern style of writing bush verse I am likely regarded as a ‘dinosaur’ and yet I am able to well appreciate David’s writing and clever use of words. Make a start and it gets you in.
Considering the relatively short time that he has been writing ̶ which is basically since 2018 ̶ David has accumulated a significant number of competition achievements. The fact that he has consistently ranked highly with a range of judges over numerous competitions is a clear statement about the quality of his poetry!
I suggest that this is not a volume for one to tackle in a single sitting.
In particular, his PNG experiences fascinated me and I found myself wishing there was more. Additionally, with only a line or two dedicated to his contracting cerebral malaria, the reader is left wanting to read far more about this experience.
As a result, I feel that David’s life story might be expanded into a more detailed account, perhaps presented in the form of a non-fiction book. One could really settle into that and enjoy it, I am sure.
The Foreword to David’s book written by “K A” Nelson needs a mention because it is so accurate. In this, K A says, “I commend this poetic memoir to all poetry lovers; people who appreciate the genre, and those stepping towards poetry for the first time. It will appeal to and be appreciated by those with a sense of history and how it informs contemporary life in Australia”.
The scans below, although not inclusive of the remarkable photographs, offer the following:
1. The book’s front cover;
2. The start of David’s poetic dedication to “Banjo” Paterson;
3. A double-page scan where the LHS is the last part of a poem which also offers the reader a sample of David’s application of rhyme and meter.
̶ on the RHS is popular and accomplished, poetry judge Catherine Lee’s perceptive and accurate commentary in dealing with one of David’s poems, Convict Settlers. I feel this commentary can be equally applied to his other works.
I would not normally comment on books of bush verse written by today’s authors because perceptions differ. Plus my assessment is not claimed to be more valid than anybody else’s.
But this is a deserved Exception.
From an author with an astonishing record in competitions comes:
A Sense of Place ̶ A Septuagenarian’s Recollections in Rhyme.
Such a sizeable book certainly deserves an honourable mention and I’m sure that anybody who purchases a copy will not be disappointed.
($30 + $8.50 pp) info@davidjudge.au www.davidjudge.au
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
Gary Harding
- Posts: 740
- Joined: Sat Oct 12, 2013 3:26 pm
- Location: Hervey Bay, Qld (ex Victorian)
- Contact:
Re: The Spoken Word in Bush Poetry
The Victa Company Part 2
The Victa Airtourer/Aircruiser.
Moving on from lawnmowers, Merv Richardson the founder of Victa wanted to get into Aviation.
A little known fact is that the Victa company also created Australia's first, volume-produced, light aircraft. The Victa Airtourer.
It is nice to highlight a few Australian inventions or examples of entrepreneurship because I believe that it engenders national pride and in its own way is "cultural".
It is another aspect of The Australian Cultural Centre.
This (very expensive) Victa company archive which I was fortunate to obtain is a repository of wonderful material on the Airtourer which in turn will be used to support an exposition on this Aussie Aircraft. Original photos, brochures and much more exciting aviation stuff.
Even the original report from the Test Pilot!
From all this material it was difficult to choose three pictures to include here.
I learned to fly and afterwards gain my aerobatic endorsement on the beloved Australian Victa Airtourer. (see photo) Such is the adventurous spirit of youth. So a photo of me with VH-MQL is included. This aircraft must have trained hundreds of pilots.
I would work on Saturday as the Operations Clerk at the flying school and be paid with one hour of free flying. Fun!
Victa... a fabulous Australian icon in both its famous Mower and Airtourer light aircraft.
The Victa Airtourer/Aircruiser.
Moving on from lawnmowers, Merv Richardson the founder of Victa wanted to get into Aviation.
A little known fact is that the Victa company also created Australia's first, volume-produced, light aircraft. The Victa Airtourer.
It is nice to highlight a few Australian inventions or examples of entrepreneurship because I believe that it engenders national pride and in its own way is "cultural".
It is another aspect of The Australian Cultural Centre.
This (very expensive) Victa company archive which I was fortunate to obtain is a repository of wonderful material on the Airtourer which in turn will be used to support an exposition on this Aussie Aircraft. Original photos, brochures and much more exciting aviation stuff.
Even the original report from the Test Pilot!
From all this material it was difficult to choose three pictures to include here.
I learned to fly and afterwards gain my aerobatic endorsement on the beloved Australian Victa Airtourer. (see photo) Such is the adventurous spirit of youth. So a photo of me with VH-MQL is included. This aircraft must have trained hundreds of pilots.
I would work on Saturday as the Operations Clerk at the flying school and be paid with one hour of free flying. Fun!
Victa... a fabulous Australian icon in both its famous Mower and Airtourer light aircraft.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
David Judge
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2021 9:55 pm
Re: The Spoken Word in Bush Poetry
Many thanks Gary for taking the time to write your insightful review of my poetic memoir. It has been an interesting journey in many ways from writing and formatting the content for self publication, selecting a reputable and affordable printer, pre-selling copies to assist with production costs, attending book fairs, being ignored by book publishers and retailers and to finally receiving reviews such as yours to make the experience so worthwhile. Self publishing has its challenges however initial sales have enabled me to support MND Victoria as part of my initial commitment to that most worthy cause. Kind Regards David