ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

EXCUSE ME! IT'S THE GIDYEA

The annual migrat'ry trek of southern folk each year,
escaping chilly winter months, they mostly seem to fear,
sees four wheel drives and caravans of ev'ry shape and size
roll slowly northward searching out the sunshine they all prize.

The backtrack to the outback takes folk up The Kidman Way,
through legendary, scenic, towns enticing them to stay
a day or two while searching out historic tales of old,
while making friendships many hold more precious than fine gold.

Queensland's Matilda Highway carries folk still further north,
through Cunnamulla, Charleville and as they sally forth
enjoy the flora's many scents that nature does provide;
that's all except the gidyea tree; it stops them in their stride.

Especially when summer rains have been abnorm'ly kind,
resulting in a pungent smell that plays upon the mind.
Most couples can't ignore it as the odour is quite strong
and usually the female says, "Hey love there's something wrong!"

The other half then stops the car; he hates to be henpecked,
concluding maybe it's the gas and ev'rything is checked.
But, no, the bottle's quite secure, so carries on his way,
perplexed as to the odours source, much to his wife's dismay.

Some females though will drive along content to show restraint,
acknowledging the woeful smell, but making no complaint.
The sideways glances and the pout reveal they sense the source,
though put off by their other half's contempt to show remorse.

But some blokes are all in the know and when their mate reacts
they quickly set the matter straight by stating them the facts.
"Excuse me! It's the gidyea love; might strong up here this year."
"Oh, I know that," some then reply. "I'm not that silly dear."

The Matilda highway has become old hat to Chris and myself these days as each year we've performed our show 'Laughter and Tears From The Bush' in many of the towns it links together. "What's that terrible smell as you drive along?" is a question often asked by the many that traverse between Augathella and Barcaldine. The gas bottles and the husband are usually the first suspects, but in time they learn - it's just the gidyea.

© Merv Webster

From the book Excuse Me! It's the Gidyea!

Also known as stinking wattle or the alternative spelling of gidgee.
The first home Sheryl and I owned had a park next to it, the local tree huggers wanted to plant some trees on it. I was happy enough with that, but when they put gidgee up as their choice, I burred up about that and they then selected a less smelly tree.

G'day Ross.

We often saw folk travelling from Charleville to Barcaldine and stopped on the side of the road and checking to see if the gas bottles were leaking. Which brought a little smile to the face.

We used to cook two dampers each night for the campers at the Homestead and loved cooking with gidyea coals.

Always took a snig chain and pulled the stumps out rather than trying to cut dead timber. Man it's hard on chainsaws.


Merv.

But doesn't it burn well Merv. I spent two years in Cunnamulla. Wish I could say I remember the smell but I can not. Enjoyed the poem.
Wazza

I can't recall ever smelling the gidyea - but really enjoyed this poem Merv!

G'day Wazza.

Great coals to cook on mate and you can time a damper with precision.

Had many a good night sharing the damper and billy tea with all the folk in the park before we did our show.



Merv.

G'day Catherine.

The years we spent performing along the Matilda Hiway left many good memories and lots of opportunities to introduce folk to bush poetry.

So many heading north to miss the southern winter and being at Charleville and Barcaldine gave us many a night with them all.

Appreciate your sharing it with us.



Merv.