[Editor: This Certificate of Discharge, for Frederick Raymond Stewart, is dated 5 June 1942, during the Second World War (1939-1945).] Certificate of Discharge, for Frederick Raymond Stewart, 1942 [Front of certificate] [Handwritten and stamped text, in … [Read more...] about Certificate of Discharge, for Frederick Raymond Stewart, 1942 [Second World War military document]
correction or change made per readers' comments
Leave or Duty Ration Book [issued to Charles Fell, January 1919]
[Editor: This military ration book, issued to Charles Fell, was issued for use during January 1919, just after the end of the First World War (1914-1918).] Leave or Duty Ration Book [Ration book, front cover] [Handwritten text, in … [Read more...] about Leave or Duty Ration Book [issued to Charles Fell, January 1919]
HMAS Canberra, Christmas card [circa 1929-1941]
[Editor: This Christmas card, with a photo of HMAS Canberra, and bearing the HMAS Canberra badge, includes the British flag (Union Jack) and the Australian flag (blue ensign). The card is undated, but was presumably printed between 1929-1941.] [HMAS Canberra, Christmas … [Read more...] about HMAS Canberra, Christmas card [circa 1929-1941]
Group of Australian soldiers [First World War postcard, with photo of four Australian soldiers]
[Editor: This postcard, which incorporates a photo of a group of Australian soldiers, is from the era of the First World War (1914-1918). The card was written by Walter Frank Rose. The postcard is undated.] Group of Australian soldiers [Front of … [Read more...] about Group of Australian soldiers [First World War postcard, with photo of four Australian soldiers]
“Christians awake!” [First World War postcard, sent by Charles Fell to his girlfriend, 28 June 1917]
[Editor: This postcard was sent by a soldier to his girlfriend, during the First World War (1914-1918). The postcard is dated 28 June 1917.] [Front of postcard] “Christians awake!” “Le rappel à la réalite!” [Reverse of postcard] POST … [Read more...] about “Christians awake!” [First World War postcard, sent by Charles Fell to his girlfriend, 28 June 1917]
Bells and Hobbles [poem by E. J. Brady]
[Editor: This poem by E. J. Brady was published in Bells and Hobbles (1911).] Bells and Hobbles. When our feet are in the stirrups, And our hands are to the reins, When the cities lie behind us And before us spread the plains, There’s a song of night and morning That … [Read more...] about Bells and Hobbles [poem by E. J. Brady]
The Snagger’s Lament [poem by T. C. Luke, 15 March 1893]
[Editor: This poem, by T. C. Luke, was published in The Shearers’ and General Laborers’ Record (Newport, Vic.), 15 March 1893.] The Snagger’s Lament. I’m only a snagger, you know me, I thought I would tackle the game; I reckoned some fast man would show me The path … [Read more...] about The Snagger’s Lament [poem by T. C. Luke, 15 March 1893]
A Queensland back block story in verse [“Lambing Down His Cheque” poem, 15 March 1893]
[Editor: This poem was published in The Shearers’ and General Laborers’ Record (Newport, Vic.), 15 March 1893.] A Queensland back block story in verse. No resident of Australian towns or cities for any length of time, however ignorant of the customs of the Australian … [Read more...] about A Queensland back block story in verse [“Lambing Down His Cheque” poem, 15 March 1893]
Lollipops: A cause of juvenile crime [poem, The Bulletin, 21 August 1886]
[Editor: This untitled poem, about lollipops being alleged to be a cause of juvenile crime, appeared in the “Pepper and salt” column published in The Bulletin (Sydney, NSW), 21 August 1886. It is a parody of some verse by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (an English poetess), with her … [Read more...] about Lollipops: A cause of juvenile crime [poem, The Bulletin, 21 August 1886]
Letters be Happy Together [poem, 8 July 1886]
[Editor: This poem was published in Melbourne Punch (Melbourne, Vic.), 8 July 1886.] Letters be Happy Together. An M.L.A. we’ll often find The people’s N. M. E., An M.L.A. is sometimes found A man of N. R. G. An M. L. A. is always found To grab the L. S. D. … [Read more...] about Letters be Happy Together [poem, 8 July 1886]
The Satin Bower Bird [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).] The Satin Bower Bird Spare a bloom of blue, lady, To adorn a bower. A violet will do, lady — Any azure flower. Since we hold a dance to-day, We would make our ball-room gay, Where the … [Read more...] about The Satin Bower Bird [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The birth of Ned Kelly
The date of Ned Kelly’s birth is not specifically known, as the records of his baptism have been lost. There are several theories as to the dating of his birth, which have been accepted by different authors. Herein are listed instances of the date of his birth as noted in various … [Read more...] about The birth of Ned Kelly
The state prisoners [letter from the Eureka Rebellion prisoners, 14 February 1855]
[Editor: This letter, from the Eureka Rebellion prisoners, was published in The Age (Melbourne, Vic.), 14 February 1855.] The state prisoners The following is the copy of a letter addressed by the state prisoners now awaiting their trial in the Melbourne Gaol to the … [Read more...] about The state prisoners [letter from the Eureka Rebellion prisoners, 14 February 1855]
Edwin Greenslade Murphy (“Dryblower”)
[Editor: This article provides biographical information about Edwin Greenslade Murphy (“Dryblower”); for various works by him, click here.] Edwin Greenslade Murphy, who wrote under the name of “Dryblower”, was a popular author and poet, especially in the state of Western … [Read more...] about Edwin Greenslade Murphy (“Dryblower”)
Chapter 77 [The Eureka Stockade, by Raffaello Carboni, 1855]
[Editor: This is a chapter from The Eureka Stockade by Raffaello Carboni. A glossary has been provided to explain various words and phrases that may be unfamiliar to modern readers.] LXXVII. Requiescant in pace. Lalor’s Report of the Killed and Wounded at the Eureka … [Read more...] about Chapter 77 [The Eureka Stockade, by Raffaello Carboni, 1855]
Down Under (“I Come From a Land Down Under”) [music video, sung by Men At Work]
The song “Down Under” was written by Colin Hay and Ron Strykert; it was performed by Men At Work and included on their album “Business as Usual” (1981). It was later released as a single (1982), which became a #1 hit. The popularity of the song was increased with the release of a … [Read more...] about Down Under (“I Come From a Land Down Under”) [music video, sung by Men At Work]
Ownerless [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses (1921).] Ownerless He comes when the gullies are wrapped in the gloaming And limelights are trained on the tops of the gums, To stand at the sliprails, awaiting the homing Of one … [Read more...] about Ownerless [poem by John O’Brien]
The Helping Hand [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] The Helping Hand When that hour comes when I shall sit alone, And ponder on the things that were, but are no more, The while the weird night-breeze’s dirge-like … [Read more...] about The Helping Hand [poem by John O’Brien]
Currajong [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Currajong Old Father Pat! They’ll tell you still with mingled love and pride Of stirring deeds that live and thrill the quiet country-side; And when they praise his … [Read more...] about Currajong [poem by John O’Brien]
An Old Master [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in Backblock Ballads and Other Verses (1913) and Backblock Ballads and Later Verses (1918).] An Old Master We were cartin’ laths and palin’s from the slopes of Mount St. Leonard, With our axles near the road-bed and the … [Read more...] about An Old Master [poem by C. J. Dennis]
How M’Ginnis Went Missing [poem by Banjo Paterson]
[Editor: This poem by “Banjo” Paterson was published in The Man from Snowy River and Other Verses, 1895; previously published in The Bulletin, 21 September 1889.] How M’Ginnis Went Missing Let us cease our idle chatter, Let the tears bedew our cheek, For a man from … [Read more...] about How M’Ginnis Went Missing [poem by Banjo Paterson]
Australian slang
A collection of Australian slang words and phrases. Some are in current widespread use, whilst others are not; some may be derived or taken from overseas slang, but most are unique to Australia. The expression of words in an Australian accent is known as “Strine” (which is how … [Read more...] about Australian slang
Folk music and bush music [videos]
Folk music has been described as music which has been passed around by word of mouth, being music which has survived by being embedded in the heart of the people. To this we could add what has been described as “contemporary folk music”, being music of a similar style to … [Read more...] about Folk music and bush music [videos]