RESEARCH IN THE 'LONG PADDOCK'


In early days in times of drought, no feed for stock
system of tracks evolved called the 'Long Paddock
stretches from Far -North Queensland to Victoria, south
feeding many a farmer's stock their hungry mouth

The use of the Long Paddock is rapidly declining
our native animals' sun has once again began shining
researcher put "harps" along these grazing tracks
wanting to know what, where, how wildlife is coming back

No more hiding from those bleating, dumb woolly choppers
Many a bird said to caught insects and grasshoppers
those beasts with horns no more use this patch
more for us now, said the kangaroos to the wombats

Small birds, bats, about those "harps" they don't sing
we fly into them, hard to see, damaging our wing
we do try to fly either higher or really very low
otherwise for us, these "Long Paddocks" are a no-no

The main reason for the "Long Paddock" decimation
road trains, quicker, faster transport to new vegetation
in times of devastating floods, fires, long- term drought
not many farmers with cattle and sheep, are getting caught

Road-trains along higways, byways, day and night
putting legends of drovers and swagman to flight
no more boiling of billy, damper, stew, blazing campfire
forcing many of these colourful characters to retire

Yet another chapter in Aussie Folklore, heritage is lost
in age of computers, mighty dollar, the high cost
it sad, incomprehensible, perhaps a twist of fate
Pitt Street farmers say: " Prosper or perish mate"

SPURRING US ON TO GREATER THINGS . . .

Australia, sundrenched, parched, diversity and colour
even before discovery by the men of the Endeavour
since beginning of time, plagued by floods and fires
came the convicts, landed gentry, some real triers

Coming to better themselves in this great unknown land
some buildings, silent testimony to them, still stand
great hopes were raised, many dreams of riches shattered
tried to make the most of things to them that mattered

Some found gold, others from poor soil a hard living wrested
dreams and lives in easy street, hope, sorely tested
convicts, murderers, pious men, many different races
gamblers, drunkards, a sense of deja-vu on their faces

Answereing the call to arms, the adventurous, the brave
some returned as ANZACS, some buried in faraway grave
they made history, they never flinched, knew no fear
they stood up to be counted, for what they held dear

As we are here today, surely we have to stop and ponder
what's in store for the next generation, makes one wonder
let us be proud of our heritage, our land, our Aussie folklore
spurring us on to even greater things since the Endeavour