John Saul Turner known, as’ Old Jack’, died on the 15th of February 1896 aged between 54 and 57 years, 2 miles southeast of Cement Creek at Mount Margaret. He was found on the 16th of February 1896 and later buried by WP McCormack and Police Constable Lionel Bradley from Menzies. He was a prospector […]
The Diggers Song – by Barcroft Boake
05/04/2025 By Leave a Comment
Barcroft Henry Thomas Boake (26 March 1866 – 2 May 1892) was an Australian Stockman and poet who wrote primarily within the ‘bush poetry’ tradition. He was active for only a few years before his suicide at the young age of 26. He belived that ‘bush life’ was the only life worth living. Boake was […]
Tommy’s Hut –
22/03/2025 By 2 Comments
Victorian Express 7 April 1893, page 3 TOMMY’S HUT From The Sydney Bulletin There’s a clearing in the ranges on the old bush road to Yea, Where a shanty once was running in the old and lawless way; It was here the splitters rallied, and the drifting traveller soaked, And the drover, halting, tallied, and […]
In Defence of the Bush – by Banjo Paterson
01/03/2025 By 1 Comment
In Defence of the Bush by Banjo Paterson So you’re back from up the country, Mister Townsman, where you went, And you’re cursing all the business in a bitter discontent; Well, we grieve to disappoint you, and it makes us sad to hear That it wasn’t cool and shady — and there wasn’t plenty beer, […]
The Billy Can – a swagmans friend
08/02/2025 By Leave a Comment
The Quart-Pot and Billy-Can No utensil is so generally used in the bush as the billy-can; none is more widely distributed, none better known in Australia. It is cheap, light, useful, and a burden to no man. It goes with every traveller, it figures in comedy and tragedy and has been the repository of the […]
