The Spoken Word in Bush Poetry

[Gary Harding]

You are more than welcome Catherine

When I consider whether it is worthwhile continuing to add to this thread, it is mostly your support that keeps me going!

When I like anything .. for example if I observe good ballad poetry.. then I will try and say so.

I suppose it is like being entertained as a guest in someone's home. Does one turn around, close the door and leave without thanking the host? A simple act of appreciation.

If you take something away from this thread... i.e. enter here and learn, or just enjoy it and return.. then what is the proper protocol? I know what my parents taught me... and it is nice that you see things the same way; have come from the same "school"!

So thank you again Catherine for your encouragement.
I notice that I have not posted about the model of Captain Cook's hearty ship The Endeavour, graciously donated to me. Honestly there are some wonderful people in the world, and in trying to establish The Australian Cultural Centre, I have met a few.

We might make that next! Gary

[Gary Harding]

Captain James Cook RN and The Endeavour

Extraordinary kindness and generosity is uncommon for us to experience in pursuing this Project. However one recent example of it is the contribution of this hand-made model of HM Bark Endeavour (Captain James Cook RN commanding).

It was gifted to us by Mr. David Kelsey of Historic Connections. Shown below temporarily retained in its protective packaging. Some of the rigging needs attention but very minor.
This wonderful gesture was totally unexpected and moving!

Captain James Cook and Endeavour first landed on the east coast of Australia, April 29, 1770 at Botany Bay, south of Sydney.
The story of the brave and talented seaman Captain James Cook, Endeavour, the intrepid crew and their part in Australia's foundation is a topic that we proudly present.

It is History perhaps, rather than Culture.. but then language is a foundation of a nation's culture and if not for Endeavour and Captain Cook we might be all speaking Chinese, although some may argue that is inevidable.

My mother's maiden name was Cook and so James was doubtless a relative. Great, great uncle Jim?

Anyway, a special toast to David Kelsey of Historic Connections for his generous contribution to Australia and to future generations.

Many thanks, David Kelsey!

[Gary Harding]

A Story.. The Australian Cultural Centre Project.

I had pretty much given up on politicians both State and Federal.
Any time I had approached them.. countless times and not looking for money (not accepted from government).. ostensibly as a courtesy to let them know about the only Australian Cultural Centre being developed, the result was either no reply or having it rudely thrown back in my face. No exception. Slapped down. Not even a token "I wish you well". The rudeness and contempt from them in some cases was unbelievable. I was seen as a threat, not a friend.

Disgraceful.

I was not and am not that much of a fool as to believe they had any heartfelt love of their country. Not a bit. It is of course, all talk .. spoken and typed... shallow. I have even been told this by an ex-politician mate.

What I wanted was not them but access to their connections. Being referred along. If there was one connection of financial means and moral fortitude and courage who really loved their country and not just the dollar. Was there???

OK Here is an example.. one of many disgraceful true stories about politicians.

Senator Ralph Babet

Back in early January, I established contact with Suellen Wrightson who then was Chief of Staff for Sen Ralph Babet (Vic) of what is still listed as The United Australia Party.
She telephoned me and we had a good discussion of about 40mins. In the course of conversation she said that Ralph had received a Christmas card from Gina Rinehart. Ah, ha I thought!! Perfect. A possible contact? The result was that I was invited to send project information to Sen. Babet. Great I thought. Here at last is a .. dare I say.. Patriot!! Sounds good, at least. Sounds. Australia.. preserving its National Identity.. all that.. on the same page. Not alone in Australia any more. A kindred spirit... BUT not to be!!! Just words. Sham. Just talk as always which is their specialty.

Now Sen Babet grandstands about Patriotism. He declares himself Australia's biggest patriot. In fact Suellen went on to help form the Trumpet of Patriots Party shortly after that and stood for election as their leader at the last federal election. (They failed miserably, I am happy to say).

Anyway much work produced a beautifully assembled package in a plastic box. Fabulous. Very Professional. Lovely covering letter.. packed in a plastic container for safety and sent Express Post. Weight 4.2kg. It arrived with them 31st January.
After nearly 3 months of nothing I contacted them and the girl said "Yes we have it, I will see if I can get some action going!" Hope springs eternal.

Nothing.

Now it would have taken Senator Babet 30seconds max to open this clear plastic box. Perhaps over morning coffee, and 1 min to read the nice covering letter. Then a few minutes to token flip over the information book, even if only to admire the pretty pictures. No need to read of course, or (dare I say it) do anything, just admire the colours.

But after 4 months of the package being with them, not a thing. 4 months!!! So I requested that it be returned, which it was, and with far greater speed and attention than it was ever afforded before that. No covering letter of course. One less monkey off their shoulder.

That is how Senators treat people who have dedicated nearly 10 years full time, slim personal financial resources, and given absolute dedication to their country. Not even a few minutes to look at what they have achieved. It is absolutely disgraceful.. and the lot of them should be ashamed, if they had any shame, which of course they haven't.

So much for Senator Babet and his grandstanding about patriotism... and his mates. Sheer nonsense and cruel to boot.
That is the Patriotic Senator.. and all his fake Patriotic mates.

Ah, you get used to it! But it never fails to hurt, just the same. When you love your country so much.

.......

I reflect more often recently on what will happen to all this material when I shuffle off the planet. The people (as expressed by their elected representatives) could not care less in their paroxysms of joy about creating a tribal, weak, polyglot society. Those poor Anzacs. What they are doing to the country they died for.

The wealthy people who have the power to maintain a smidgen of Australia's national identity have not a shred of patriotism and turn their backs while declaring how Australian they are. Government institutions have also turned their backs (except perhaps NFSA) and will never ever be allowed to have it. Or collectors looking for a bargain.. and I was one of them once. Acres of brilliant stuff. Handwritten verse by Paterson is my cherished item.

Multiply that so many times over. Not just items but brilliant displays.

In the end there seems to be one and only one option for it all, and that gesture in response breaks my heart.

[Maureen K Clifford]

I read your comment with sadness Gary, because I share your vision and abhor the lack of respect that our countries history receives from its pollies. Sad to say IMO Australia has never been proud of its origins and repeatedly as history proves, tries to sweep many memories under the carpet, especially those that do not show us in a good light and God knows there are many of those.

Your comment -

When I like anything .. for example if I observe good ballad poetry.. then I will try and say so. I suppose it is like being entertained as a guest in someone's home. Does one turn around, close the door and leave without thanking the host? A simple act of appreciation.

made me smile. I feel the same way about our 'welcome to country' ceremonies and get so bloody pissed off with those people who say "I was born here - I don't need to be welcomed to my own country." AAARGH. Your Mum would be proud of you Sunshine.

When we go visit with friends, do our friends not show good manners and welcome us to their home? How would we feel about them if we were just ignored? Perhaps future visits would not be as frequent. I for one love seeing the WTC ceremony - so what if it was a 'thing' supposedly started only 40 years ago by Ernie Dingo and Richard Walley - or was it (more to the point) something that due to public media, was only made apparent 40 years ago. Our Aboriginal people have made their guests welcome for centuries at Corroborees, trading groups etc, social structures that facilitated trade and exchange between groups. Perhaps they even made that rellie of yours Jimmy Cook welcome,

I also personally love that local councils, clubs, schools etc etc are publicly acknowledging the traditional owners at their events, meetings etc even if Peter Dutton and other pollies don't ..... as in "I'd like to acknowledge the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation who are the traditional custodians of the land..."

I was taught by my Mum that a smile and good manners cost nothing - reckon your Mum may have taught you the same ... my old Dad taught me not to let the bastards get you down, you keep on standing up for what you know is the right thing to do.


One day your dream will come to fruition and a sponsor will be found who shares your vision. Just as a matter of interest did you know that Sam Hughes - The Travelling Jackeroo who completed a three and half year charity run last August, travelling 27,250 kilometres across Australia in a 1957 model Chamberlain tractor, and raising over $260,000 for his three chosen charities is currently working on a mobile museum? The museum will focus on the Aussie battlers – on the people who built the country including our truckies and the transport industry, and Sam plans to take it to Ag shows and schools around Australia. Sam has already purchased a 10.5 metre trailer and a Scania 113 prime mover to pull it ...... perhaps this is something that you could both benefit from.

[Gary Harding]

Thanks Maureen... I am just having a bit of a whinge.

I thought that this humiliating episode with Sen Ralph Babet should not be allowed to pass with no response. That it should at least be put on record somewhere... to no particular purpose except to say "This is who this bloke really is... he and his politician mates". "Government". He got my hopes up a bit, only to reveal himself for what he was. A fake patriot. Another one of them. All the same, so it's sad.. and humorous too in a way.

I feel better for doing it. A bit selfish perhaps.. an indulgence on my part?.. but thank you for your forbearance. Ha!

Moving on...

Politician Story 2

Some time ago, there was a change of local member at the Qld State elections. So I thought for fun I would contact him, to no purpose other than showing off and practice presenting I suppose. A courtesy in a way too, though.

I contacted his assistant, a nice bloke of about 75, and he agreed to have a chat. We met at their satellite electoral office in Howard, which was hilarious. This was mid summer. The desk was right at the front of this spartan "office" which had no air-conditioning so the big front glass door was slid open and you were almost on the footpath. People passed by and you could say hello.
On top of that, the country commercial main-street in front was being re-surfaced and massive noisy machines were slowly trundling back and forth literally a few feet away. Periodically one had to stop talking as any conversation was drowned out. You could wave to the guys driving the machinery. The smell of the hot asphalt was tolerable.

Ah, nothing like a sophisticated meeting, nearly on the footpath, dealing with a project vital to Australia.

I really saw the funny side though. You had to laugh at the total absurdity of it all. Very, very funny.

Nothing heard for months... typical... and you pass it off. Normal brush off.

Anyway, yesterday morning I returned a missed call from the previous evening from an unknown number. A very heavily accented voice comes on and I think "ok, another phone scam" but the voice says something about being my local member and I think "no way".. but luckily something tells me, don't hang up. The penny dropped that it was possibly John Barounis MP (who was a Greek guy). Sorting that out, his secretary is going to arrange a meeting with us next week.. which will be here at my house.

Maryborough (the name of the electorate) is a heritage town. People are lovely and it is replete with Queenslander homes. The incredible model
Queenslander I have, made in Maryborough in 1935, will stun him... just for starters!

He reiterated that Olympic archery is going to be held here, and so the swimming display (sporting culture) should impress. I was in the Victorian State Swimming Team so the unique display of Fred Lane the first gold medalist for Australia in swimming, all his stuff bought at auction for $3,000 and converted into a display, should impress. My uniform. Dawn Fraser related display. He wants Olympic sport, he will get it.

It will be great fun.

I don't accept money from government (or anyone). Full stop. And equally I am shy of accepting government favours. What I want is a Partner of means who is on the same page. Who has a genuine, as compared to professed, patriotism. And who wants to get on with the job... to be appreciated and respected by future generations.
At least Mr. Barounis MP reached out.. a first.. and that is commendable. He wants something.. he is not coming solely for curiosity. So I have to figure out what I can get from him in return.

Who knows... I keep an open mind. We will see. Always interesting things happening. Thanks Maureen.

[Maureen K Clifford]

"Beware of Greeks bearing gifts" but he may bring his own trojan Horse who knows, don't throw the baby out with the bathwater and he did at least do you the courtesy of returning your call. Personally I have always found those people wit a Greek heritage to be extremely generous and kind people, so just maybe he might be the bloke to get things moving along for the project.

That house model is just wonderful - what a work of art. Just would have been every little girls dream back in the day although I seem to recall you saying it was along the lines of a builders demo model.

[Gary Harding]

EXHIBITS

These three photos indicate about half of what is on actual display downstairs. It is a bit awkward to try and show it all in three photos. Material for The Australian Cultural Centre Project.

Downstairs is really meant as a storage area but as demonstrated, it is also useful to partially explain the Australian Cultural Centre Project for the occasional visitor.

Various other work is under benches, on shelves or packed safely in cartons etc.

The huge bush poetry exhibit (Australian literature) for example is mostly stored. It consists of displays dealing with around 36 traditional bush poets of excellence who wrote superbly, comprehensibly and formatted their verse in the traditional way.

Taking small pieces of the jigsaw that is (or rather should truly be) Australia's cultural heritage and presenting them in a way that is interesting and entertaining is the objective. A pleasurable sensory experience. Music in particular lends itself to that.

This is the Real Australia, and when you try and work to put it all together under one massive roof as is the noble but possibly forlorn intention, you appreciate what those great Australians have done for their country over many years.

I stress this is a small sample only.

As can be seen, storage at least for larger items has run out. This presents us never with a Problem or even an Issue but.. a Challenge!!! and we are used to those!

It's all Good Fun.