[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Firetail Finches Like little children out from school We come in bevies, primly gay; On sunlit lawn, in shadow cool With meek propriety we play And in and out about the grass We … [Read more...] about The Firetail Finches [poem by C. J. Dennis]
year1935
The Flame-Breasted Robin [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Flame-Breasted Robin Now upon the trellis sitting, Now along the fencetop flitting, Meekly modest in my attitudes and poses; ’Neath my breast incarnadine Can this midget heart of … [Read more...] about The Flame-Breasted Robin [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Spinebill Honeyeater [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Spinebill Honeyeater I come in blossom-time, Singing days and sunny days, Flitting like a fairy thro’ a nectar-laden land, Flashing o’er the underbrush; Happy days and honey days Hear … [Read more...] about The Spinebill Honeyeater [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Eastern Shrike-Tit [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Eastern Shrike-Tit I am brightly alert and exceedingly pert, And my livery’s easily seen; With a bright golden breast and a black-and-white crest, And a back of indefinite green. A … [Read more...] about The Eastern Shrike-Tit [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Wattle Bird [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Wattle Bird Where the blossom glows I follow, Sipping nectar as I go. Timbered hill and wooded hollow, Shore and scrub-land, these I know; Following the floral river Flowing down a … [Read more...] about The Wattle Bird [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Welcome Swallow [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Welcome Swallow They know me not to praise and love aright, Who only pause to mark my headlong flight — A swift and slender crescent wheeling by Athwart Spring’s softly amaranthine … [Read more...] about The Welcome Swallow [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Coachwhip Bird [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Coachwhip Bird Early on a soft spring morning As the dawn climbs up the sky, With its radiant light adorning Hill and tree-top, here am I, Urging on my phantom horses Where no road … [Read more...] about The Coachwhip Bird [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Wedge-tailed Eagle [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Wedge-tailed Eagle Scarce am I of the earth; But lord of the air am I, In the heights I had my birth, And my range is the broad blue sky. Soaring, ever a-wing, Swooping down to the … [Read more...] about The Wedge-tailed Eagle [poem by C. J. Dennis]
Blandishing the Birds [story by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This story by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] Blandishing the Birds The honourable company of bird-lovers, we are told, is rapidly increasing in numbers in all parts of the country; and while one delights to observe this growing interest … [Read more...] about Blandishing the Birds [story by C. J. Dennis]
Morning Glory [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] Morning Glory Singing morning has begun. Where the wooded ranges run To far summits, there the snow Lingers yet. But down below In the quiet, green-girt places, Where full many a swift … [Read more...] about Morning Glory [poem by C. J. Dennis]
Green Walls [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] Green Walls I love all gum-trees well. But, best of all, I love the tough old warriors that tower About these lawns, to make a great green wall And guard, like sentries, this exotic … [Read more...] about Green Walls [poem by C. J. Dennis]
Forest Sanctuary [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] Forest Sanctuary Seek you sorely, for a space, Respite from the world’s dull fretting? Come then to a secret place — Man’s entanglements forgetting — Deep within the forest dreaming, Deep … [Read more...] about Forest Sanctuary [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Way of the Vandal [story by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This story by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Way of the Vandal “Never kick a bird.” I was well on the way to middle-age before I became aware of that entirely humane maxim attributed to the dear old lady who sought to reprove a … [Read more...] about The Way of the Vandal [story by C. J. Dennis]
Dawn [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] Dawn Here in soft darkness where, the long watch thro’, Dreamless, my quiet garden slumbered well, Night’s soothing fingers, all adrip with dew, Crept in and out, to weave a mystic … [Read more...] about Dawn [poem by C. J. Dennis]
Foreword [to The Singing Garden, by J. McRae]
[Editor: This foreword by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] Foreword The versatile C. J. Dennis has done it again! And this time he veritably couldn’t help it! For, after revealing himself as a great lover of mankind by his sympathetic presentation … [Read more...] about Foreword [to The Singing Garden, by J. McRae]
The Singing Garden [by C. J. Dennis, 1935]
[Editor: This book by C. J. Dennis was published in 1935. The contents of the book are divided into four sections, one for each season; included in each section is a sub-section of poetry entitled “Songs of Bush Birds”.] The Singing Garden By C. J. … [Read more...] about The Singing Garden [by C. J. Dennis, 1935]
Swagging terms [28 February 1935]
[Editor: Some information about slang used by swagmen; from the “So They Say” column, published in The Queenslander, 28 February 1935.] Swagging terms For the many descriptive terms bush travellers have for carrying the swag, there are simple, and in most cases … [Read more...] about Swagging terms [28 February 1935]
The “Sundowner” [by Gladys Johns, 4 April 1935]
[Editor: Published in The Sydney Morning Herald, 4 April 1935.] The “Sundowner.” When I first saw him he was loitering in the shade of an old gum tree — his swag, his billy, and his dog. As I passed, I nodded in the friendly bush fashion. “Good-day,” he said. “Kind … [Read more...] about The “Sundowner” [by Gladys Johns, 4 April 1935]
What “Dryblower” said: The Aliens [poem by “Dryblower” Murphy, 17 November 1935]
[Editor: A poem by “Dryblower” Murphy, published in the “Verse and Worse” column in The Sunday Times, 17 November 1935.] What “Dryblower” said. The following poem, written by “Dryblower” a long way over 30 years ago, is as true to-day as then. The slow, insidious creep-in … [Read more...] about What “Dryblower” said: The Aliens [poem by “Dryblower” Murphy, 17 November 1935]
First overland telegraph [chapter 53 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton]
[Editor: This is chapter 53 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton. Published in The Sunday Mail, 30 June 1935.] The story of Australia — LIII First overland telegraph Prior to the year 1872 our only communication with Europe was by means of the Peninsular and … [Read more...] about First overland telegraph [chapter 53 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton]
The Eureka rebellion: Diggers take up arms against police and military [chapter 52 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton]
[Editor: This is chapter 52 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton. Published in The Sunday Mail, 23 June 1935.] The story of Australia — LII The Eureka rebellion Diggers take up arms against police and military The refusal of Governor Hotham to release the … [Read more...] about The Eureka rebellion: Diggers take up arms against police and military [chapter 52 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton]
Digger hunting on the goldfields [chapter 51 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton]
[Editor: This is chapter 51 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton. Published in The Sunday Mail, 16 June 1935.] The story of Australia. — LI Digger hunting on the goldfields During the three years which passed since the discovery of gold in 1851 the … [Read more...] about Digger hunting on the goldfields [chapter 51 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton]
The Ballarat gold rush of 1851 [chapter 50 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton]
[Editor: This is chapter 50 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton. Published in The Sunday Mail, 9 June 1935.] The story of Australia — L. The Ballarat gold rush of 1851 At the beginning of 1851 Victoria was merely a pastoral settlement, with a population of … [Read more...] about The Ballarat gold rush of 1851 [chapter 50 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton]
Discovery of gold [chapter 49 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton]
[Editor: This is chapter 49 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton. Published in The Sunday Mail, 2 June 1935, p. 29.] The story of Australia — XLIX Discovery of gold The year 1851 is especially memorable in the annals of Australia, as it marks the discovery … [Read more...] about Discovery of gold [chapter 49 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton]
First settlement on the Brisbane River [chapter 48 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton]
[Editor: This is chapter 48 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton. Published in The Sunday Mail, 26 May 1935.] The story of Australia — XLVIII. First settlement on the Brisbane River John Oxley’s report of his explorations, in which he recommended Moreton Bay … [Read more...] about First settlement on the Brisbane River [chapter 48 of “The story of Australia” by Martin Hambleton]