TWO LOST SISTERS OF WALLOON

[Maureen K Clifford]

I am sure Kym will be saddened to read this as the trophy she won last year at the Ipswich Poetry Feast was a replica of the original statue.

Disgusting to think that the beautiful statue depicting this event that was located in a small park at Walloon has been desecrated by vandals, with the larger sister having been stolen, after being seperated from her sister by use of an angle grinder to cut off the hands and feet. This is akin to vandalizing a grave as the monument was erected in memory of two little girls who were drowned there - immortalized as 'The Babies of Walloon' by Henry Lawson.

What the hell the person who stole her thinks he/she can do with it is beyond me because the cast piece will be instantly recognizable. Needless to say the Ipswich City Council and Mayor Paul Pisasale is less than impressed by this thoughtless act.....the copper statue initially cost over $50,000.00 - now there is a possibility that it's replacement will be a stone carving, rather than the beautiful blue weathered copper.

The children at the local school just across from the park and the people of Ipswich are devastated by the loss of the iconic statue. Located in Henry Lawson Park just outside of Ipswich the park has always been a popular spot for locals as well as visitors to the city.

A reward of $4000 has been offered for information. Anyone with any information on last week's theft and vandalism should contact the police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.






TWO LOST SISTERS OF WALLOON.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO4YG2RefCA


We were camping near the water when my thoughts strayed to the daughters
who were lost here many years ago a sad, sad tale but true.
For 'tis said they found the lilies on the water to be pretty
and they thought to pick the lilies, as children are wont to do..

On an errand to get butter from the homestead of the farmer
who lived down the road from their home. Not so very far away.
His farm was unattended and they couldn't buy the butter
so returned home, past the waterhole, the last place they would play.

Little Kate and sister Bridget coming from a family errand
passed the green lagoon and ventured out into the waters cool.
They would pick the pretty flowers as a present for their Mother,
for this gift they knew she’d value as she would a precious jewel.

Little Kate fell in the water, her foot trapped amongst the lily
stems hidden beneath the murky depths. She was quite unaware.
The older sister Bridget struggled all alone to save her sibling
but alas she could not raise her, and she also perished there.

When the searchers came they found them. Two small angels now in heaven,
floating lifeless on the water ... lilies festooning their hair;
and a simple wicker basket full of blossoms blue and pretty
floated gently on the waters beside the small tragic pair..

On the bank lay Katie's Rag doll, with a pink and pretty pinny,
ribboned bonnet on her head over her yellow woollen hair.
Limp and lifeless like its owner, rag face devoid of expression,
beside a hoop of metal , cast aside without a care.

At night I sometimes fancy, when I hear the curlews calling
that two wraith like figures gather on the banks of the Lagoon.
In the haunting cries of curlews I hear the voice of children
where the moon shines softly down upon the babies of Walloon.

Maureen Clifford edited 10/12 ©

[Neville Briggs]

Thanks for the poem Maureen.

Scrap copper is worth good money unfortunately, phone wires and electrical cable go missing all the time, sometimes they take kilometres of the stuff.

[Maureen K Clifford]

Perhaps that was why it was stolen although in that case you would think they would have just cut the 4 feet off at the ankles (same number of cuts) and taken them both.

My immediate thought was they would have to melt it down for it to be of any use to them - but still doesn't explain why only one went. It had to have been a premeditated act with presumably a generator to run the angle grinder - don't think they make them battery powered do they?

[Bob Pacey]

They are grubs maureen, no other word for them,


Sign of our disrespectful times

Bob

[Neville Briggs]

I think there are rechargeable battery powered grinders Maureen. Maybe they ran out of power, or broke a disc, or got disturbed.
I think it would be fair if they were required to pay for restoration.

[Maureen K Clifford]

Got to catch them first Neville - there is a big reward on offer if someone dobs them in.

[Heather]

We had brass plaques taken from several graves (Brothers from the local Catholic College) in the Kilmore Cemetery a couple of years ago. Theory was they were taken for their metal value. It's a pretty low thing to do. I hope they catch them Maureen.

Heather

[Maureen K Clifford]

So do I Heather - the town is pretty upset by it. Stealing plaques from graves is even lower

[Maureen K Clifford]

After the poetry feast at Ipswich - a new statue - recast from the original mould was re erected in the park at Walloon on the 20/10/12 this time protected by some hich tech security gadgets.

Recently discovered relatives of the Broderick family were in attendance who up until a few months ago had been completely in ignorance of both the Henry Lawson poem or the Ipswich connection to it.

The original water hole where the little girls drowned has been relocated and heritage listed and a road planned to go right through it has been diverted thanks to the Ipswich City Council and some fine work by Councillor David Pahlke. The two original cast iron grave markers of the little girls have also been found and kept in safe keeping - and will shortly be replaced in the Ipswich Cemetery

The original statue or the person/s who stole it have never been traced.

Overall a happy ending.

Cheers

Maureen