The Spoken Word in Bush Poetry

[Gary Harding]

It was an interesting and ambitious exercise to produce the (pictured below) colourful, framed, promotional poster.

Such a very large poster was not available anywhere in Australia and certainly not with the archival inks that I preferred.
Thus it had to be sourced from a specialist printer overseas who does such jobs.

It was felt that there was only one suitable moulding for the frame that would complement the item properly. It turned out to have a long lead time to obtain. Glass is the special super-clear type.

The final monetary cost was several hundred dollars but the result is an impressive item that will (I hope) feature prominently in the section devoted to The Man From Snowy River (A B Paterson) in the proposed Australian Cultural Centre.

What better could one do for one's own country than create such a wonderful Centre for current and future generations??
What better way to invest the short and precious time one has on this earth?

"And down by Kosciusko where the pine-clad ridges raise
Their torn and rugged battlements on high,
Where the air is clear as crystal and the white stars fairly blaze
At midnight in the cold and frosty sky.
And where around The Overflow the reed beds sweep and sway
To the breezes, and the rolling plains are wide,
The man from Snowy River is a household word today,
And the stockmen tell the story of his ride."

[Catherine Lee]

Oh, this is wonderful, Gary - an expensive and lengthy process but so worthwhile to have this very special framed poster. I loved that movie, and this will help to ensure that it - and of course the famous poem - is never forgotten by future generations. Job well done indeed!

[Gary Harding]

Thank you Catherine for your genuine interest and huge encouragement. It is a bit like adding more fuel into the tank to keep things running for me! and that is needed! Very moving.

Pictured below is also the CD with that same title.

It originally came out on cassette tape (timed with the movie?) and then luckily was re-issued on CD... for listening in the car?

For those like myself who enjoy Leonard Teale's recitations (probably everyone who reads this series of posts) it has what I think are some "new" tracks on it that are not included on the previous vinyl.

Brumby's Run
The Mountain Squatter
Under The Shadow of Kiley's Hill

Such items will be featured in the Man From Snowy River presentation,

**One thing that is now becoming a serious problem is having the space to store material produced for the wonderful Australian Cultural Centre. Space is about to run out upon completion of the Settler's Hut. For example the magnificent 1/10 scale Queenslander House made in 1935 that simply must be considered as a mind-blowing National Treasure is being forced to be stored in the third garage. Far from optimal! When you love your country as I do, such things are heart-breaking.
Sometimes you get to a point where you think... who really cares and loses sleep about all of this?? I mean REALLY cares.
Are there any true Australians not occupied on screens or busy making yet more money to nobly and bravely step up to the plate for The Australian Cultural Centre?? Their own country.

I am beginning to suspect not.. but then you just cannot think that way, can you?.. you simply can't.

You just get on with the job 24/7.... no pointless whinging or cynicism. You get on with it somehow for the sake of the end result...and devil take the hindmost.

[Catherine Lee]

You’re welcome, Gary – and yes indeed you do just keep on going, especially when you have the type of passion and drive for this sort of thing which you seem to have in spades. I suspect that to NOT ‘get on with it somehow’ would probably make you feel very unhappy. It is a challenge well worth the effort (although I can certainly understand how you must wonder at times!) …I still have some sheet music from the score of this movie; it seems so long ago now that it screened – probably because it was!

[Gary Harding]

Thank you Catherine!!

Your comment about having the original sheet music, immediately captured my attention and it inspired me to also get a copy of it!
In doing so, I discovered an original, four-page, Rare(!) copy of the film's Press Sheet ... fantastic...so I grabbed that item as well!

I had not heard of a "press sheet" before but :

"Australian Press Sheets provide important historical information on movies, particularly for those that were filmed in Australia.
They often comprised a single page, sometimes printed on both sides but occasionally four or more pages. They would generally include a synopsis of the film and cast plus information about posters and newspaper advertising. They have been neglected over the years and were usually thrown away after use... but it would be good to see an historical archive of all Australian press sheets"


Just for interest.... the attached photo shows the near-completed 1/10 water tank I made that will go with the model Settler's Hut. The corrugated surface was obtained by wetting and then reverse-rolling corrugated cardboard around a piece of 6" PVC sewer pipe. Tank stand is made from some leftover teak that has the right colouring. Amazingly it all worked together and looks very realistic. Still needs its traditional sprinkling of fake rust added, finishing off etc. and a bucket placed near it. (Horse was bought for $20 at the local dime store and probably will be saved for a Banjo Paterson diorama. It is a beauty!)

Tank could have been 3-D printed but would not have looked as natural. It is fairly precise and fiddly work to make this stuff.
The ant-caps will follow eventually when I have saved up more spaghetti cans. The bottoms can be cut out, formed and painted to make the tiny ant caps.

Catherine you are a true gem because in this case your interest in the Project has led to the addition of another couple of important items!.. so if you (and anyone else of course!) have any good ideas or thoughts, please let me know! Nothing is too way out. It can lead to other things....

All help is genuinely appreciated! Gary

[Catherine Lee]

Wow, that’s so great, Gary – an original Press Sheet?! Fantastic! I hadn’t heard of those before either, so this is very interesting. It’s a shame that so many appear to have been thrown away.
Your water tank looks wonderful. This involves so much fiddly work as you say, but it is so worth it to see the results and you must be very pleased with it. You did well to pick up that lovely horse so cheaply.
Thanks for your kind words - I’m so glad I mentioned that sheet music now!

[Gary Harding]

Thank you Catherine...yes, the tank stand did look good. However I was never completely happy with it.

This (pictured) alternative stand was produced mostly by gathering driftwood pieces from the beach. These were then processed through the hobby-bandsaw.

It aims to be more authentic so imperfections such as the occasional marine woodworm hole, bark edge or knot were retained. The grey weathered look of driftwood was perfect for the stumps.

I am hoping that I am right in thinking this might be a better approach? Does it look more authentic perhaps?

Also pictured is the test piece produced showing the external planking for hut cladding. (overlapped 2.5mm x 25mm balsa strips). Many homemade stain recipes were tried from coffee onward.

The front door (pictured) is made from teak strips left over from a major boat project and it emphasises the natural timbers available to the Australian settler. Windows are balsa... very fiddly.

I think there is some "poetic licence". Ideally the Hut should not be a weathered grey edifice. Instead it involves the use of colour to place emphasis. A balancing act between being genuine on one hand and being visually stimulating on the other.
Incorporating interior and exterior lighting will be a challenge. Good lighting can make a big difference. Maybe even a bit of sound from mini-speakers?

I can see how Modelling as a hobby can become obsessive! but this work is all done with a specific end use in mind. To inform visitors about Australia.

The actual structure (the major part) including awning and front verandah is complete. I will post more on this interesting exercise as it makes steady progress.... Gary

[Gary Harding]

I think that many folk here who enjoy ballads must be similarly enamoured with the Old Settler's Homes.
Those tumbledown places often with just a shell remaining seem to possess A Ghostly Spirit, don't they? ... as if they had seen so much and could tell so many stories?

Other than those that are beautifully restored, there are lots of photos of them around with their rusty roof, chimney, water tank and dilapidated front verandah... and resident critters too no doubt.
The model we are constructing also has an attached wash-house. And yes, it will have a 1:10 scale model, detached traditional thunderbox as my neighbour likes to call it.

The photo below shows a painting done by a relative (now passed away) in Brisbane, from a photograph I believe.

The great poets loved those abandoned places. Homes, pubs or shearing sheds. Like artists with their brushes.. Lawson, John O'Brien and Jim Grahame come to mind....used words instead to paint their own pictures.

I even had a go myself years ago but it is nothing particularly worthy of anything. Just a bit of fun.

The Old Homestead

The rain tumbles in and the wind whistles through.
The moths flutter in through the door.
The legions of lizards that live in the wall,
File out through the hole in the floor.

The rug on the sofa that warmed tiny feet
Is harbouring possums and rats.
The spot where the fire blazed cheery and bright,
Is home to a family of cats.

Itinerant mice play in cupboard and drawer.
A snake entertains in the stove.
The spider-filled letterbox signposts the path,
Where once the fine carriages drove.

Above where the rafters hang grimly and torn,
The bats circle round in a swarm.
A window-frame sags on its hinges dismayed,
And swings back and forth in a storm.

The yard has surrendered to thistle and thorn.
Now flatweeds and flowers compete.
The harvester rusts in the paddock below,
Where rippled the ripening wheat.

Long gone is the time when the magpie in song
Would chorus the homestead with mirth.
The fences abandoned to ruin and rack,
Stand stark like the bones of the earth.

Far flung are the children; their parents have gone.
Twin headstones on weather-worn ground,
Embracing the treasures of memories fond,
They sleep with them under the mound.

It's sad I suppose that the place has succumbed
And lies rotting out and decayed.
A testament found not in college or book,
A theatre to scenes that were played.

What stories were told amid company gay,
What tales locked in time-polished wood.
The secrets are kept by the occupants now,
And they would not tell if they could.

[Gary Harding]

For those ABPA Members who are interested in following our regular magazine articles..... the latest Beacon Magazine is now online, Edition 27

https://thebeacon.com.au/magazine-publications/

This article discusses the culture of Australian Home Sewing and in particular, the Singer Treadle Sewing Machine.

It is really, really nice to have fellow members add to and comment on these thread posts. So thank you again, especially to Shelley and Catherine (who was once again one of the judges in the Blackened Billy Verse Award).

[Maureen K Clifford]

Have taken the liberty of pinching your poem 'The Old Homestead' for inclusion on the ARP page.

Just a thought and doubtless you have already explored it - I wondered about 2 things ... the wonderful collection of artifacts you have gathered and the difficulty of coming up with sponsorship to ever get the project up and running.

Are there any Government grants available - or any grants for that matter that might assist with this project? Such as these perhaps ... https://www.awe.gov.au/parks-heritage/h ... nd-funding

Would a Historical Village perhaps be interested in turning over a building to house the display?????? I have noted that several Historical Villages have done similar - not necessarily with displays such as you have gathered together but things such as craft and woodworking, blacksmithing, machinery etc etc. Could there be an avenue there to explore perhaps?