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"The Bush Song" |
| Welcome to the Bush Song Newsletter. A source of information for people interested in Bush Poetry, Bush Music, competitions and events all done in the interest of preserving the heritage and culture of Australia. |
In This Issue: February 2005
Editorial or "Ric's Ramblings"G'day and welcome to another edition of "The Bush Song". You are visitor number: We hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year. No doubt, like us, it was full on and hectic. It just seems the silly season takes over completely from the rest of your life and it ends up on hold for a month or so. Changes To The SiteThere have been some significant changes on the Australian Bush Poetry, Verse and Music site. The site has been finally upgraded to one that suits a 1024 x 768 format. This provides much more screen real estate and makes things less cramped. Furthermore, we have upgraded the Forum to a completely new format. We had been having problems with the old one for ages, mainly with people posting spam onto the forum which had to be removed every morning. The new forum provides a situation where people must register (which is free of course) if they are going to post a message. This removes the spam situation completely. Now we don't want you to be shy, so register and have a say in what's going on or post some of your poetry. Free Web Sites AvailableThe Central Goldfields Bush Poets (Verse & Song) have recently put up their own website at http://www.cgbushpoets.websyte.com.au/ . Websites are available at no charge for non profit groups and associations. If you are in a group, then perhaps you should consider setting up your own site. It's a great way to promote your group, advise meeting dates and locations. You can use the site in all your publicity and attract new members or audiences to your group. It is quite easy to write the site as the site owners provide an easy format so people who are not necessarily web writing literate can set up their own pages. For more information go to http://www.communityguide.com.au . Australia Day 2005One of my pet hates is the continuous creep of the American vernacular into our language. I get a shiver up my spine when I am called a "guy" and not a bloke. Those of you who have had emails from me will have seen the rider on my signature stating "I'm NOT a guy, I'm a BLOKE!!!". One of the poems I perform regularly is one by Noel Cutler (with his kind permission of course) entitled "Call Me Aussie Mate!". It's a great poem that addresses this very issue of language. Well now I have decided to take this all one step further and have ordered stubby holders printed with "I'm NOT a guy, I'm a BLOKE!!!". Keep an eye on the website for when these become available. Recently I was honoured to be asked to speak at an Australia Day ceremony about what it means to me to be an Aussie. Well you can be assured that the "guy" issue got a bit of a run, but overall I spoke about the things that draw us all together as Australians. Personally, I don't think there is any one greater thing than the song Waltzing Matilda. I was most fortunate to be able to obtain a copy of the late Johnny Johansen's poem "Song of a Nation" complete with the introduction that Johnny wrote to the poem. I read the introduction to the crowd and then performed the poem. It is a brilliant piece of work by Johnny, who was a good mate of mine, and I felt very priveleged to perform this great piece of his work on such an occasion. Visit to Mt GambierJude and I recently went on a day trip to Mount Gambier in South Australia and visited the Blue Lake. This was the reputed site of the famous leap by Adam Lindsay Gordon, one of our great old masters. Apart from our usual modern poet to be featured, we are going to feature this poet in this newsletter as well to provide a bit more information on him. Gordon was probably one of the lesser poets. Everyone seems to mention Henry Lawson and the Banjo straight away, but start to struggle when asked about others. Thanks to all our subscribers and contributors for supporting the site and the newsletter. Talk to you all again soon. Letters To The EditorThis space available for usage. Vacant at present as none have been received. Traditional Featured Poet - Adam Lindsay Gordon
GORDON, ADAM LINDSAY (1833-1870),Gordon was born at Fayal in the Azores on 19 October 1833. His father, Captain Adam Durnford Gordon, had married his first cousin, Harriet Gordon, and both were descended from Adam of Gordon of the ballad, and were connected with other distinguished men of the intervening 500 years. Captain Gordon was then staying at the Azores for the sake of his wife's health. They were back in England living at Cheltenham in 1840, and in 1841 Gordon went to Cheltenham College. He was there for only about a year. Subsequently he was sent to a school kept by the Rev. Samuel Ollis Garrard in Gloucestershire. In 1848 he went to the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. There he appears to have been good at sports, but not studious and certainly undisciplined. In June 1851 his father was requested to withdraw him and the young man, he was nearly 18, was again admitted a pupil at Cheltenham College. He was not there for long, he appears to have left in the middle of 1852, but the story that he was expelled from Cheltenham is without foundation. He lived for some time with an uncle at Worcester, and was a private pupil of the headmaster of the Worcester Royal Grammar School. He began to lead a wild and aimless life, contracted debts, and was a great anxiety to his father, who at last decided that his son should go to Australia and make a fresh start. Gordon had fallen in love with a girl of 17, Jane Bridges, who was able to tell the story 60 years afterwards to his biographers. He did not declare his love until he came to say good-bye to her before leaving for Australia on 7 August 1853. "With characteristic recklessness he offered to sacrifice the passage he had taken to Australia, and all his father's plans for giving him a fresh start in life, if she would tell him not to go, or promise to be his wife, or even give him some hope." This Miss Bridges could not do, though she liked the shy handsome boy and remembered him with affection to the end of a long life. It was the one romance of Gordon's life. That Gordon realized his conduct had fallen much below what it might have been can be seen in his poems ... "To my Sister", written three days before he left England, and "Early Adieux", evidently written about the same time. He was just over 20 when he arrived at Adelaide on 14 November 1853. He immediately obtained a position in the South Australian mounted police and was stationed at Mount Gambier and Penola. On 4 November 1855 he resigned from the force and took up horse breaking in the south-eastern district of South Australia. The interest in horse racing, which he had shown as a youth in England, was continued in Australia, and in a letter written in November 1854 he mentioned that he had a horse for the steeplechase at the next meeting. In 1857 he met the Rev. Julian Tenison Woods (q.v.) who lent him books and talked poetry with him. He then had the reputation of being "a good steady lad and a splendid horseman". In this year his father died and he also lost his mother about two years later. From her estate he received about £7000 towards the end of 1861. He was making a reputation as a rider over hurdles, and several times either won or was placed in local hurdle races and steeplechases. On 20 October 1862 he married Margaret Park, then a girl of 17. In March 1864 he bought a cottage, Dingley Dell, near Port MacDonnell, and in this same year, inspired by six engravings after Noel Paton illustrating "The Dowie Dens 0' Yarrow", Gordon wrote a poem "The Feud", of which 30 copies were printed at Mount Gambier. On 11 January 1865 he received a deputation asking him to stand for parliament and was eventually elected by three votes to the house of assembly. He spoke several times but had no talent for speaking in public, and he resigned his seat on 20 November 1866. He was contributing verse to the Australasian and Bell's Life in Victoria and doing a fair amount of riding. He bought some land in Western Australia, but returned from a visit to it early in 1867 and went to live at Mount Gambier. On 10 June 1867 he published Ashtaroth, a Dramatic Lyric, and on the nineteenth of the same month Sea Spray and Smoke Drift. In November he rented Craig's livery stables at Ballarat, but he had no head for business and the venture was a failure. In March 1868 he had a serious accident, a horse smashing his head against a gatepost of his own yard. His daughter, born on 3 May 1867, died at the age of 11 months, his financial difficulties were increasing, and he fell into very low spirits. In spite of short sight he was becoming very well known as a gentleman rider, and on 10 October 1868 actually won three races in one day at the Melbourne Hunt Club steeplechase meeting. He rode with great patience and judgment, but his want of good sight was always a handicap. He began riding for money but was not fortunate and had more than one serious fall. He sold his business and left Ballarat in October 1868 and came to Melbourne. He had succeeded in straightening his financial affairs and was more cheerful. He made a little money out of his racing and became a member of the Yorick Club, where he was friendly with Marcus Clarke (q.v.), George Gordon McCrae (q.v.), and a little later Henry Kendall (q.v.). On 12 March 1870 Gordon had a bad fall while riding in a steeplechase at Flemington. His head was injured and he never completely recovered. He had for some time been endeavouring to show that he was heir to the estate of Esslemont in Scotland, but there was a flaw in the entail, and in June he learnt that his claim must be abandoned. He had seen his last book, Bush Ballads and Galloping Rhymes, through the press, and it was published on 23 June 1870. Gordon on that day met Kendall who showed him the proof of the favourable review he had written for the Australasian. But Gordon had just asked his publishers what he owed them for printing the book, and realized that he had no money to pay them and no prospects. He went home to his cottage at Brighton carrying a package of cartridges for his rifle. Next morning he rose early, walked into the tea-tree scrub and shot himself. His wife went back to South Australia, married again, and lived until November 1919. In October 1870 a stone was placed over his grave at Brighton by his friends, and in 1932 a statue to his memory by Paul Montfort was unveiled near parliament house, Melbourne. In May 1934 his bust was placed in Westminster Abbey. Gordon was tall and handsome (see portrait prefixed to The Laureate of the Centaurs). But he stooped and held himself badly, partly on account of his short sight. He was shy, sensitive and, even before he was overwhelmed with troubles, inclined to be moody. After his head was injured at Ballarat he was never the same man again, and subsequent accidents aggravated his condition. Any suggestion that drink was a contributing cause may be disregarded. (Sir) Frank Madden who was with him the day before his death said that he was then absolutely sober, "he never cared for it (drink) and so far as I know seldom took it at all". The Rev. Tenison Woods in his "Personal Reminiscences" said "Those who did not know Gordon attributed his suicide to drink, but I repeat he was most temperate and disliked the company of drinking men". His tragic death drew much attention to his work and especially in Melbourne the appreciation of it became overdone. This led to a revulsion of feeling among better judges and for a time it was underrated in some quarters. Much of his verse is careless and banal, there are passages in Ashtaroth for instance that are almost unbelievably bad, but at his best he is a poet of importance, who on occasions wrote some magnificent lines. Douglas Sladen, a life-long admirer, in his Adam Lindsay Gordon, The Westminster Abbey Memorial Volume has made a selection of 27 poems which occupy about 90 pages. Without subscribing to every poem selected it may be said that Gordon is most adequately represented in a sheaf of this kind. His most sustained effort, the "Rhyme of Joyous Garde", has some glorious stanzas, and on it and some 20 other poems Gordon's fame may be allowed to rest. References: Information from The Dictionary of Australian Biography by Percival Serle
The image at right is the monument erected to commemorate Gordon's Leap. Below the monument is a marker which reads:- The marker goes on to say more, but it is covered in his biography above. Gordon was often deeply depressed and it was This is one of my favourite poems of Adam Lindsay Gordon. It is entitled:- "The Sick Stockrider"Hold hard, Ned! Lift me down once more, and lay me in the shade. 'Twas merry in the glowing morn, among the gleaming grass, Aye! we had a glorious gallop after "Starlight" and his gang, We led the hunt throughout, Ned, on the chestnut and the grey, In these hours when life is ebbing, how those days when life was young Aye! nearly all our comrades of the old colonial school, There was Hughes, who got in trouble through that business with the cards, Ah! those days and nights we squandered at the Logans' in the glen -- I've had my share of pastime, and I've done my share of toil, The deep blue skies wax dusky, and the tall green trees grow dim, Modern Featured Poet - Glenny Palmer
As a young woman I was in little theatre, singing, and dancing, and also studied at art school. I married young and had 3 daughters, and adopted a baby boy. My first marriage ended after 20 years. (I’m a stayer, not a sprinter.) I have since added 2 step-children to my brood, and am now Grandmother to 15. (I think it was the hormone powder in the chook food!) I have a career background in writing sales training material, and in training and motivating specialty sales people. I was Sales Manager for a large furniture company, responsible for figures for 11 stores with 25 staff . When I re-married, my husband Alan and I established a furniture business, which we ran for 7 years. In my early forties, we chucked it all in, sacked all the kids, and bought a caravan with “The Wandering Wordsmith” painted all over it, and headed for the outback. In 1994 we attended a bush poetry concert in Beaudesert, where I discovered that I was not the only person left still writing ballads…KINDRED SPIRITS…what JOY! The great Bob Miller took me under his wing and took me to Tamworth’s “Fireside Festival”, where I met more of these strange creatures known as “Bush Poets”. I was in Heaven! In 1995 I won the inaugural “Australian Ladies Bush Poetry Championship”. I repeated my win in 1996 and was therefore the first Australian female featured performer at the 1997 “Cowboy Poetry Gathering” in Elko, Nevada, USA, and at the “Autrey Museum Of Western Heritage” in Los Angeles. I was Reserve Champion at the Winton championships in 1997 and 1998. I received the “Australia Day Cultural Award” in 1997, for “Services to Bush Poetry, and the Promotion of the Australian Identity”. This identity is something I encourage all poets to strive to protect, by using our powerful craft. After studying my craft, I received a number of literary awards including the “Henry Lawson Society” (NSW) and was runner up in the “Blackened Billy” awards in 1997, and won that competition in 2001. I was featured on television in “Brisbane Extra”, and “Totally Wild”, and appeared on “Australian Story”. I now enjoy teaching and presenting my works tailored to individual groups, such as youth organizations, suicide prevention, depression support groups, corporate and political functions, etc. I conduct adult and children’s workshops, and judge /compere/ perform in Australia and overseas. I have been published by Pan McMillan, and the ABC, and have produced 2 poetry books, 2 CD’s and 2 cassette tapes of my work, along with an instructional booklet. I am intensely interested in seeing people reach their potential, and in conveying the asset that poetry is, to personal development. I am keen to pass on the support and knowledge that many Bush Poets have given to me during my time within this marvellous group of creative people. My husband Alan supports my creativity, and I support his 4x2’s, as we continue to try and build our 2 bedroom cottage, which has only taken up the last 12 years. He operates a small Jumping Castle business, and in our “spare” time, we enjoy our ever expanding family, and our little property, “Fairymeade” in Cedar Vale near Beaudesert, Queensland. To find out more about Glenny, her books, CDs and cassettes or to talk to her about performances or workshops, contact her at
43-49 Samantha Rd Cedar Vale Q 4285 A Poem From GlennyWhile working in Perth, WA., there was an uproar about crows pinching rubber windscreen wipers from cars in the town of Bentley. For a week or so the local journalist printed in the paper, all and sundry’s wacky suggestions to fix the problem. Below is my take on it, as written in Rod and Kerry Lee’s lounge room. (There was a Federal election looming at the time.) “Aaark Raven Mad” © 2004 Glenny PalmerAll the crows from South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland too, They never would have known it if this journo had kept quiet, They descended into Bentley, windscreen wipers were the go, Cro-Magnon ate the first one, and Old Crow she had a feed, Chro-mosome got drunk and spent the night locked in a cell, The people painted one crow white to scare the rest away, Now, One Tooth Ted the truckie tied his Pit Bull to the bonnet, All in all the town had gone stark raven flamin’ mad, So they called on Johnny Howard to assist them in their plight, So they said their prayers and asked for a solution from the stars, He came up with the answer in a flash, he said, “Hey man So now around in Bentley life has settled down again, Would you like to be a featured poet?I am very keen to hear from other bush poets who would like to feature in the newsletter. It's a great way to become known to a wider audience than you maybe already and an opportunity to promote yourself, your work and your products. Simply email me a photo, a biography and one poem to appear in the newsletter. Events & CompetitionsRather than post all details of events and competitions in the newsletter, please go to the pages on the site at www.johnstaufferbooks.com . You can also have a look at the Bush Verse Contacts page on the site for a listing of regular events in your area and what clubs you might like to join. If you know of a particular event, please simply post it on the Forum at the Bush Verse website and I will transfer it to the Events pages. There is now a special section on the Forum for Events, Competitions and the like. This is not only to give notice of events, but also to post results if you have been involved. Your Chance To WinThe "Bush Song" Poetry CompetitionWin what - you may well ask, and the answer is simply fame and glory. This issue's theme is the contribution of women to the building of our nation. Get your poems written and post it on the Forum at the Bush Verse site. All poems submitted will be judged by an anonymous bush poet (and I can assure you it isn't me) and the winner announced in the next edition of the newsletter. We have found an excellent judge for our little competitions. The name of the judge is A. Judi Cater. Our thanks must go to this anonymous person who is putting in the hard yards in pouring over the works to select winners. This wonderful person has even agreed to do critiques on the work submitted, which will be in a positive vein, to assist writers. If anyone wishes to contact A. Judi Cater, they can do so via [email protected] and I will pass it on to the judge. The winner of our December competition for writing a poem on an Australian Christmas is ......., surprise, surprise - Glenny Palmer who is also our Featured Poet for this month. Glenny won the competition with her poem "A Frog's View of Christmas".. Congratulations on a job well done and many thanks to all the other poets who submitted their work on the Message Board. Here is Glenny's winning poem:- “A FROG’S VIEW OF CHRISTMAS” © Glenny Palmer 2004 I’m a frog and by nature my job is to croak, So I yodeled and croaked ‘til my vocal chords strained, Then the more that I croaked, well the more that it rained, Now my skin is much greener, like new Brussels sprouts, They can play in the puddles and roll in the mud, But the Humans, (strange creatures, I can’t work them out), So this Christmas I think I’ll give Humans away, ‘Cause isn’t that what Christmas Day is meant for? And now for the official comments from our judge, A. Judi Cater who we thank very much for the time and trouble taken to peruse all the entries. "JUDGES COMMENTWINNING POEM OVERALL COMMENT To all entrants, my congratulations on your personal effort and your continued contribution to Australian Bush Poetry. A. Judi Cater We have now set up a separate section on the Forum for Bushsong Competition Entries. Please make sure you post your work there as it will make it a lot easier for our judge to access your work. Copyright Information© The entire content of this newsletter is Copyright of Bushsong and is not to be published or reproduced without permission. The copyright of any poems published in this newsletter remains that of the author and are also not to be published, reproduced or performed without the authors permission. Subscription InformationYou are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed via the Australian Bush Verse, Poety and Song website. If you no longer wish to receive newsletter, then please forward an email to [email protected] with the word Unsubscribe in the Topic area. |
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This image at left is one that is located in the old pump house museum at the Blue Lake in Mount Gambier. Apologies for the lens flare, but it was taken inside from below and the painting is covered with glass.
probably this that led him to taking his own life. The picture at right is of Gordon's grave at Brighton cemetery in Victoria. 
When I was born I was as light as a feather.....which really tickled my Mother's fancy. That was way back in 19@# in Clermont, central Queensland, to typical “Aussie Battler” parents. The larrikin inherent in the people of the post-war outback community, flourished in me, a freckle faced, carrot haired kid. My father was a poet in demand in the pubs and work campsites, while Mum was undoubtedly related to the original “Aunty Mame”. (Quite an actress.) Dad’s transient work as a plant operator eventually dictated a move to the “Big Smoke” (Brisbane), where my brother and sister and I could have a stable education. While Dad galloped around on bulldozers, we lived with Mum, and waited for the rain to periodically chase Dad home for a few weeks. It was the highlight of our lives when he appeared unannounced on our doorstep, as he would give us each a whole shilling to spend at the pictures! I spent most of my waking hours scheming to run away, back to the bush to Dad.