The old hands called it “TOORAL”, (outback Bourke)

And who’s to say, that they were wrong?

AAH- but the” toffee nosed” & “Cockeys”,

All sang to a different song!

For they raised their “pinky fingers”,

Pronouncing it – TOO-RAL-EE

But I don’t give a Tinker’s cuss,

Since it ne’er belonged to me!

Well, whilst in town, I walked about,

Not far from the “Port Of Bourke” Hotel,

Where Publican “Lachie” & his charming wife,

Looked after me very well ;

Down to the wharf I ambled,

To observe the Darling flow,

And I allowed my mind to wander,

Recalling “Steam Days” of long ago…

When the Paddlers carried wool & cargo,

To far off distant Towns,

Whilst the fortunes of our brave Pioneers,

Had their share, of “UPS & DOWNS!”

Proud Bourke is full with history,

Of Poets, Pastoralists & poor,

Be sure you yarn with Locals,

‘Cause  there’s definitely a whole lot more-

But my particular interest was Lawson,

“HENNERY”, the Bard of renown,

Sent west from Sydney with a five pound note

AND that… was quickly blown!

Our Henry had his failings

But he made endearing & “true blue” Mates-

He trekked two-thirty clicks …to Hungerford,

Further north, where you open the Queensland gates!

He trudged with his pal Jim Gordon, in the height of summer,

In a searing drought as well,

All the time, collecting stories,

That through his yarns would later tell!

NOW, it’s well over one hundred years,

Since Henry stayed, thence wandered wide-

But I’ll not hear of his denigration,

Nay, no derision, shall I abide!

For the spirit of the OUTBACK, that he captured,

Remains true, alive &  well..

With “MATESHIP” overstated,

TOORAL(E) & OUTBACK BOURKE … STILL HAS TRUE CHARM TO SELL!

Robert McMillan – 

Copyright: Remembrance

Day November 11, 2017.

‘BRAVEHEART’