The Homestead

[thestoryteller]

THE HOMESTEAD

In central outback Queensland where
vast grasslands do extend,
The Landsb'rough Highway from the South
abruptly meets its end.
And here it meets the Capricorn
which runs from east to west;
just happens there’s a township there ...
Barcaldine - Queensland’s best.

For those who'd like a place to doss
I'll give you all the drum,
the HOMESTEAD with its cotton trees,
acacias, figs and gums,
is just the place to pitch a tent
or park your home on wheels.
But then ag'en a cabin site
might be to your appeal.

Your hosts are Dawn and Kingsley Head
who love the old bush ways.
They'll make you feel quite welcome there,
you'll all enjoy your stay.
There's billy tea and damper mates
and time to make new friends
around a fire of gidyea coals
as each day meets its end.

Perhaps one day we'll meet you there
and share a pint of tea,
as Chris and I perform our show
of yarns - bush poetry.
'Til then be sure to tell your friends
that if they're trek'in west,
just doss down at the HOMESTEAD mates,
at Barcy , it’s the best.

Merv Webster

From the book You're Joking! Milk in Billy Tea!


On our 1998 tour of outback Queensland, which took in the Drover’s Yesteryear Festival at Camooweal, Chris, Dad and myself performed our show 'Laughter & Tears From the Bush' at the Homestead Caravan Park at Barcaldine. A friendship grew with the new owners, Kingsley and Dawn Head, and we would often make The Homestead a regular place to perform our show. On one of our visits, while sitting under one of the cotton trees, I penned this verse.