Ginger Mick and Lennie

[Maureen K Clifford]

Accompanied by his horse, Ginger Mick, 9 year old Lennie Gwyther undertook a 1,000-kilometre (620 mile) journey to watch the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. He celebrated his 10th birthday whilst he was journeying home.

Ginger Mick was named after Lenny's father's favourite character from C.J Dennis' book The Moods of Ginger Mick. Was Ginger Mick a brumby – well we will never know for sure but it is not an unreasonable assumption

Ginger Mick and Lennie … Maureen Clifford The #ScribblyBarkPoet


Most Aussie know of ‘Ginger Mick’ a soldier famed in rhyme
by C J Dennis none the less – a poet of the time
but few out there know Ginger Mick was also a boy’s horse,
a loyal, faithful companion who had brumby genes of course.
The young blokes name was Lennie and he lived on his dad’s farm
with Ginger Mick his pony, who had heaps of equine charm
and when Lennie's dad broke his leg, this young bloke carried on
with ploughing, harvesting and such for he was fit and strong.



Lennies one great ambition was to see the Harbour Bridge
that joined two shores of Sydney – was it really ridgey-didge?
He’d seen it in the papers and to him it looked so huge
that he kind of half suspected just a touch of subterfuge.
When Dad came home from hospital just so proud of his son,
he wanted to reward him for the hard work he had done.
Len told him of his dream to go to Sydney and he showed
his dad the route he’d follow, travelling on country roads.



A kid of nine with heaps of sense, bush smart and self-reliant -
a deranged tramp gave them a scare but both were quite defiant.
They rode through heavy fog and rain, by bushfires undeterred.
Young Len shared his dads courage - Ginger Mick led brumby herds .
Between them they’d a dose of smarts, and with Sydney in sight
bubbling excitement in both hearts they made it there all right.
They were amongst the first in town to cross that silver bridge …
Gave a salute to the GG … and giggled – just a smidge.



And then to add to his delight at Sydney Cricket Ground,
young Lennie met Don Bradman a cricketer of renown,
who gave him a signed cricket bat – Well who could ask for more?
Len was in seventh heaven now, what more could be in store?
He headed Ginger Mick for home, that trusty caring steed
who had traversed the tough terrain with ease, the brumby breed
are well known for their hardiness, loyalty and devotion.
South Leongatha waited now - a huge welcome in motion.



From mid-march to the tenth of June Lennie and Ginger travelled,
sleeping at night beneath the stars, using roads rough and gravelled
which turned to mud when fierce rains fell, to dust when hot sun
dried them
but as each day passed quickly by Sydney fell far behind them.
Eight hundred people waited to greet them in Leongatha
The cheers were quite resounding, and the air was full of chatter,
His mum and dad were proud as punch – they’d bought Ginger Mick apples
So grateful for the part he’d played overcoming all battles.



‘twas a joyful celebration worthy of a hero brave
And Len’s young mates were envious of the journey he had made.
What a yarn to tell to his own kids in later years for sure,
And to play a part in history …. Recalled for evermore.
So there was a happy ending – Ginger Mick lived on for years
to the age of twenty-seven with never a moments fear
he’d be cast aside. He lived his days on the home farm called Gwyther.
Seventy-eight in human terms, but it’s doubtful horses cypher.


Young Len made it to seventy, and a grand full life had he
Though it’s doubtful if anything surpassed this famed memory.
In two thousand and seventeen their grand feat was celebrated
honouring two Aussies proud and strong – for too long underrated.

6.9.2023
beaut clip as well ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgIZuMVx44U

[Shelley Hansen]

Fabulous story, Maureen! This one had passed me by, so I'm really glad you brought it to light.

[Catherine Lee]

Always enjoy your historic poems based on real people and places, Maureen - a most enjoyable way to learn things!

[Maureen K Clifford]

Thank you Shelley and Catherine - you know me - always up for a good yarn ... but I am delighted you liked it and I was amazed at this young blokes story when I lucked upon it. Definitely felt it needed to get a bit of replay