ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

COLLARENEBRI

They walked in mobs from Queensland,
Out far as Cunnamulla,
Across the border, Lightning Ridge,
Then down past Moongulla.
No cotton crops were in back then,
Old locals tell the story,
Mitchell grass across the plain,
To keep the stock in glory.
Drover's camp and wagon,
Beside the Barwon River,
Stock moved slowly on and on,
For stations to deliver.
Charlie Williams worked his bore-drain team,
The shearers had their ways,
Roads were dusty-muddy tracks,
In the sheep and shearing days.
Those people knew hard times back then,
Through conditions battle by,
Floods and droughts that covered land,
around Collarenebri.
Each year the town would come alive,
On the Barwon- out the west,
Top rodeo's and campdrafts,
Brought in the country's best.
Earl brothers, Ken and Ernie,
Were pick-up men and mates,
Stumpy, Lance, Buck Timmins,
Were regarded riding greats.
There are some fondest memories,
That town could never die,
And this would be the history,
Of Collarenebri.



Duncan Williams. (september.2019)

Good one Duncan - good capture of some of the history of the old town

G/day Duncan.

We need to keep as many as possible of the old stories alive mate;
we've already lost so many of them.
There's no better way of doing this than to highlight them in verse.

Cheers

Terry

Good one Duncan,
Been through Collarenebri many times, but sadly like many of our country towns, it wasn't looking too flash last time I was there.
Cheers
Ron

Thank you. Maureen,Terry and Ron. cheers. Duncan.

Hi Duncan

As a coastal girl who loves the outback - I can really relate to this, despite my lack of droving and farming experience!

We travelled through this region late last year. It holds a fascination and an allure.

Cheers
Shelley