The young galahs of Eungella

[Maureen K Clifford]

THE YOUNG GALAHS OF EUNGELLA



Made of concrete and marble – it stands tall and pearly white
erect and at attention, every day and every night.
Twenty three are remembered and their names are there to see,
Finch Hatton’s sons and Netherdales. Each one died gallantly.

In memory of soldiers upon the stone they did write.
The Southern side for the Great War, sixteen blokes young and bright.
The Western side commemorates those lost in World War Two,
another seven local lads who did what they must do.

You read the names that are inscribed and history tells true
that most barely lasted a year ( a couple lasted two);
before the enemy bullets fired into their yielding flesh
at Ypres, Pozieres, The Somme, gave them eternal rest.

And Christmas time for Tommie’s folks would never be the same
for he was killed in action on the night that Santa came.
Though every family who lost a man would be affected
for them Christmases held a taint. Joy and death now connected.

And now the fields of war are flung far wider as we see.
Egypt, Tobruk ,New Guinea, Borneo and Germany.
One missing in a battle fought above in German skies;
another lost at Sandakan – midst dysentery and flies.

Each year their townsfolk honours them and every Anzac Day
flowers cluster round the marble plinth in a brilliant display
of colour – reds and whites and blue, flag colours of our nation.
Our countries wattle green and gold honours their dedication.

I think their spirits have returned from where their bodies rest
to Eungella – the land of clouds – the place they were known best.
When Wompoo pigeons hide and call from their rainforest trees
I fancy I hear young galahs voices upon the breeze.

Maureen Clifford © 07/12

Footnote - Eungella is an Aboriginal word meaning the land of clouds and is pronounced as young galah. It is approx 70 kilometres inland from Mackay. The call of the Wampoo pigeon has been described as sounding like a man saying 'wallop the blues'. Pretty appropriate with a state of origin game being played tonight

[Heather]

Sadly, every town has a memorial like this one Maureen. Nicely done.

Heather

[Neville Briggs]

We'll soon have a few names to put on the Afghanistan memorial, Maureen.

[Maureen K Clifford]

Sadly Neville I know you are right - and nothing is ever solved, long term