Jack Moses claimed that his version of the poem was written in 1888, although there is no hard proof of its existence until 1919 (although a 1912 newspaper mentions him reciting a poem on the subject). However, a newspaper report from 1918 mentions that Moses was the author of a new poem about the Dog on the Tucker Box, which explicitly implies that there was a previous version. It appears likely that there was an original poem on the subject, and that Moses penned his talented contribution later on (but the matter is open to debate).
As a means of raising money for the local hospital, a group of Gundagai citizens commissioned a statue of the Dog on the Tucker Box, as a monument to the pioneers (the statue was placed five miles from Gundagai, at the camping ground of the old-time bullock-drivers, the pioneers of the Australian haulage industry). The statue was officially unveiled on Monday 28 November 1932 by the then Prime Minister of Australia, Joseph Lyons. The statue subsequently became a major tourist attraction for the town of Gundagai.
Two lists are included here:
1) Articles about the Dog on the Tucker Box
2) Postcards with photos of the Dog on the Tucker Box
See also: “The dog on the tucker box (Gundagai)”
An IAC article about the history of the Dog on the Tucker Box poem and the associated famous statue (five miles from Gundagai).
Articles about the Dog on the Tucker Box:
Various articles relating to the Dog on the Tucker Box (regarding the song and/or the statue).
(Arranged in chronological order.)
The earliest known publication of the Jack Moses version of the Dog on the Tucker Box poem.
Nine Miles from Gundagai: The Dog and the Tucker Box [poem by Jack Moses, 1923]
The poem “Nine Miles from Gundagai” by Jack Moses, from his book Beyond the City Gates: Australian Story & Verse (1923).
The emblem of our big week: Monument where the dog sat [11 August 1932]
An article in The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai, NSW) which gives the “Bill the Bullocky” version of the Dog on the Tucker Box poem. The article calls for a statue to be erected in Gundagai, to be unveiled during the “Back to Gundagai Week” celebrations, as a means of attracting tourism and funding the local hospital.
The Dog on the Tucker Box [“Bill the Bullocky” poem, 16 May 1935]
An article which gives the “Bill the Bullocky” version of the Dog on the Tucker Box poem, sourced from a Gundagai postcard.
Along the Hume Highway: Gundagai’s historical attraction: Canberra’s alluring beauties [by “Tasman”, 8 February 1936]
An article, much of which is about the Dog on the Tucker Box statue. It gives the “Bill the Bullocky” version of the Dog on the Tucker Box poem.
Gundagai’s dog is gilt-edged investment: How digger’s brain-wave saved hospital [31 July 1937]
An article about the Dog on the Tucker Box statue and the funding of the Gundagai Hospital from the related tourism and selling of souvenirs.
An article about the Dog on the Tucker Box poem and statue, with some photos of Jack Moses and part of his version of the poem. Included are photos of the Dog on the Tucker Box memorials at the five mile and nine mile points outside of Gundagai.
Gundagai’s mysterious dog: Origin of “The Tucker Box” story unknown [7 April 1938]
An article about the Dog on the Tucker Box poem and statue. It reprints an article by J. G. Castleton, “A wonderful dog”, sourced from the Digest of World Reading, with information from an interview with Jack Moses, musings on the origins of the poem, and gives the “Bill the Bullocky” version.
The truth concerning another dog and the tucker box poem [1 February 1945]
An article which claims that the “Bill the Bullocky” version of the Dog on the Tucker Box poem was written in 1935.
Creator of Dog on Tucker Box: Jack Moses dead [11 July 1945]
An obituary of Jack Moses, writer of the poem “Nine Miles from Gundagai”.
Jack Moses dead: Well-known country show identity [13 July 1945]
An obituary of Jack Moses, writer of the poem “Nine Miles from Gundagai”.
Dog on Tucker Box verses [17 June 1952]
An article which gives three versions of the Dog on the Tucker Box poem.
Postcards with photos of the Dog on the Tucker Box:
(Arranged in chronological order.)
An unused postcard which incorporates a photo of the Pioneer Monument (Gundagai, NSW), as well as some history regarding the statue. The postcard is undated, although it is believed to be from the 1940s.
“Pioneer’s Monument,” Gundagai, N.S.W. [postcard, circa 1940s]
An unused postcard which incorporates a photo of the Pioneer Monument (Gundagai, NSW). The postcard is undated, although it is believed to be from the 1940s.
Pioneer’s Monument, Gundagai, NSW [postcard, circa 1950s]
An unused postcard which incorporates a photo of the Pioneer Monument (Gundagai, NSW), as well as some information regarding the statue. The postcard is undated, although it is believed to be from the 1950s.
A used postcard which incorporates a photo of the Pioneer Monument (Gundagai, NSW), as well as some history regarding the statue. The postcard is undated, although it is believed to be from the 1950s.
Pioneers Monument. Gundagai. N.S.W. [postcard, 20 February 1958]
A used postcard which incorporates a photo of the Pioneer Monument (Gundagai, NSW). The postcard is dated 20 February 1958 (sent to the USA).
Pioneers Monument, 5 miles from Gundagai [postcard, 1959]
A used postcard which incorporates a photo of the Pioneer Monument (Gundagai, NSW). The postcard is postmarked 13 January 1959.
By unknown bush bard [postcard of the Pioneers Monument, Gundagai, with poem, circa 1960s]
A used postcard which incorporates a photo of the Pioneer Monument (Gundagai, NSW) and the “Good morning mate” version of the Dog on the Tucker Box poem. The postcard is undated, although it is believed to be from the 1960s.
Updated 5 February 2023
Leave a Reply