He also wrote two other books (non-fiction) ..
The Men of '38 and Other Pioneer Priests. One can usually pick up a copy from $40 - $60.
On Darlinghurst Hill...History of the Parish of The Sacred Heart, Darlinghurst. My own copy now packed away is a first edition and was notably published in 1952, the year of Father Pat's death. I like the way they say on the cover "Author of Around The Boree Log"
That would not mean much to many people today I suppose, but hopefully with quite a bit of Irish luck sent from Father Pat up above, we might just be able to proudly introduce his ballads to everybody, especially children, at the Australian Cultural Centre. His nice display is advanced.
Visitors to the Centre do not have to enjoy his writing.. it is an individual thing.. but we alone see our Duty as placing it in front of people en masse for the first time and in the best way that we can, and let them decide for themselves. It is about the poetry itself and the author's personal story supports that.
We have commenced working towards our aim of stunningly reproducing (using amazing modern technology) his remarkable and well-documented drive in 1911 to deliver the last rites to Jack Riley who was suggested by some as being the inspiration for the Man from Snowy River. This involves modelling (which we are getting quite good at), drone and GoogleEarth footage and some 3D printing of items like the 8hp Renault tourer car he drove.. but that is all yet another fascinating story for later.
We certainly do not mess around in our noble task of bringing real Australian Literature to Australians for the very first time... with no agendas, social interpretations, history re-writes, slanting or nasty politicisation that unsavoury governments invariably insist on. No wonder they do not want to even recognise us!!!
Contemptible, un-Australian ..and perhaps a tad sinister too? Anyway most of the work is done.... and we just need someone of means as a Partner who shares our patriotism and has a true passion for Australia... not grandstanding speeches, websites or talk-fests about Saving Australia... we are the real deal... and then we will have the best presentation of Australia and its Culture anywhere!! for posterity “We’ll all be rooned,” said Hanrahan,
In accents most forlorn,
Outside the church, ere Mass began,
One frosty Sunday morn.
The congregation stood about,
Coat-collars to the ears,
And talked of stock, and crops, and drought,
As it had done for years.
“It’s lookin' crook,” said Daniel Croke;
“Bedad, it’s cruke, me lad,
For never since the banks went broke
Has seasons been so bad.”
“It’s dry, all right,” said young O’Neil,
With which astute remark
He squatted down upon his heel
And chewed a piece of bark.
And so around the chorus ran
“It’s keepin’ dry, no doubt.”
“We’ll all be rooned,” said Hanrahan
“Before the year is out.”
Said Hanrahan (John O'Brien)
It is surprising how many of the older generation who see our special display of John O'Brien and his work, know this poem.