On the north side of Gundagai, five miles out from the town’s centre, there stands a monument, dedicated to Australia’s pioneers. The monument consists of a dog sitting on a tucker box, made from bronze, which is placed atop two granite blocks.[1]
The story of the dog on the tucker box comes from a famous poetical telling of an incident (possibly a true story), wherein a dog sits on a bullock-driver’s tucker box a few miles outside of Gundagai. With a variation in mileage, referring to either five miles or nine miles, the main line is famous in Australia.
The dog sat on the tucker box five miles from Gundagai.
The dog sat on the tucker box nine miles from Gundagai.
However, there exists more than one poem which uses that famous line.
The Jack Moses poem
The poem “Nine Miles from Gundagai” was written by Jack Moses (1861-1945), who was a travelling wine salesman and bush poet.
The earliest-known version of the poem appeared in The Gundagai Times, on 25 November 1919.[2]
I’ve done my share of shearing sheep
And droving and all that,
And bogged a bullock team as well
On a Murrumbidgee flat.
I’ve seen the bullock stretch and strain,
And blink his bleary eye,
And the dog sat on the tucker box,
Five miles from Gundagai.I’ve been jilted, jarred and crossed in love,
And sand-bagged in the dark,
And if a mountain fell on me
I’d treat it as a lark.
It’s when you’ve got your bullocks bogged,
That’s the time you flog and cry,
And the dog sits on the tucker box,
Five miles from Gundagai.We’ve all got our little troubles,
In life’s hard thorny way,
Some strike them in a motor car
And others in a dray.
But when your dog and bullocks strike
It ain’t no apple pie,
And the dog sits on the tucker box,
Five miles from Guudagai.But that’s all past and dead and gone,
And I’ve sold the team for meat,
And perhaps some day where I was bogged
There’ll be an asphalt street.
The dog, ah well, he got a bait
And thought he’d like to die,
So I buried him in the tucker box,
Five miles from Gundagai.
In the 1919 newspaper, the incident was written as taking place five miles outside of Gundagai; however, in all of the other versions of that poem the phrase “nine miles” was used. In an interview, Moses said that the wording had always been “nine miles”, so therefore either his recollection was wrong, or the newspaper staff (in 1919) made a transcription error, or someone at the newspaper decided that “five miles” sounded better than “nine miles”, and changed the wording without consulting the writer (which, in times past, was known to occur on occasion; and sometimes still happens in modern times).[3]
The version published in Beyond the City Gates (1923), the first book produced by Jack Moses, included the “nine miles” distance.[4]
I’ve seen the bullock stretch and strain,
And blink his bleary eye,
And the dog sit on the tucker box
Nine miles from Gundagai.… And the dog sits on the tucker box,
Nine miles from Gundagai.
But why should a dog sitting on a box of food have any significance? After all, there’s no big deal about a dog sitting on a box. Unless, of course, there’s a hidden meaning to the poem.
So, what is the (alleged) real meaning of the poem?
Well, amongst Gundagai locals, bushmen, and “those in the know”, it is widely understood that the “real” wording is scatological. The Gundagai Independent wrote in 1945: “Ask almost any youth-about-town about the dog from Gundagai, and you will probably be greeted with a knowing grin, that suggests that the subject is not one for polite discussion, and more fit for the shearing shed and the travellers’ camp fire.” The “hidden” wording is “And the dog shat on the tucker box nine miles from Gundagai”; it has even said by some that that “the dog shat in the tucker box” (emphasis added). Either way, it makes the story of the poem much more memorable, even though more distasteful (or more humorous, depending on your frame of mind).[6]
The “Billy Noake” poem
A second poem regarding the “dog on the tucker box” exists, with its origins dating back to at least 1920.
This poem is very different to that written by Jack Moses, although it does use a nearly identical version of the famous line (albeit with the “five miles” wording): “the dog —— in the tucker box five miles from Gundagai”. The missing part (censored) indicates a low-brow version of the poem, implying that “the dog shat in the tucker box”.
According to one source, the verse was based upon a true incident which occurred five miles outside of Gundagai, at Five Mile Creek (also known as Splitter’s Creek, and previously called Sugar O’Brien’s Creek). A bullock-driver, named Billy Noake, was camped at the five-mile point; one of the leading bullocks was being stubborn, and wouldn’t come up to have a yoke placed upon him; so, in a fit of bad temper, Noake hit the bullock on the head with the yoke, and the misplaced blow smashed the bullock’s eye (presumably, this was an accident; the last thing a bullock-driver needs is to have a bullock with one eye, let alone one in enormous pain); and then, on top of all that, his dog “sat” on his tucker box. A rhyme was subsequently made up about the incident. According to a speech given by a local, Tom Woodbridge, in 1938, the five-mile point (beside the creek) would be the correct location of the incident, as the nine-mile point lacked water and would therefore be an unlikely camping spot; this opinion, regarding the correct camping spot, was confirmed by The Gundagai Independent in 1945.[7]
Billy Noake, he broke the yoke,
Knocked out the leader’s eye,
And the dog sat on the tucker box
Five miles from Gundagai.
Various versions of the poem appeared over the years, with the bullocky having several names, such as “Billy Noake”, “Nobby Jack”, and “Old Baldy”.[8]
At midnight, as their aforetime mate sunk into slumber, he heard their distant voices raised in discordant song, carolling the refrain of an old bush ditty:—
Old Baldy broke the yoke,
Poked out the leader’s eye;
And the dog hid in the tucker-box,
Nine miles from Gundagai.
It appears that another verse was added to the poem, although the earliest-known appearance in print of the combined poem doesn’t occur until 1952. It also appeared on some (undated) Gundagai tourist ephemera.[9]
Good morning, mate, you are too late,
The shearing is all over,
Tie up your dog behind the log,
Come in and have some dover.For Nobby Jack has broke the yoke,
Poked out the leader’s eye,
And the dog —— in the tucker box,
Five miles from Gundagai.
The first part of that poem was taken from another song, which dates back to at least 1895 (without any mention of a dog on a tucker box). The section of that song which says “flash your Dover” was a reference to using one’s knife on some food (such as beef or damper), as Dover was a popular make of knife; to ask someone to “Come in and flash your Dover” was to invite them to partake of some food, to “pull out your knife and have something to eat”.[10]
A reference to the first part of the song was published in the Free Press (Norwood, SA) in 1895, in answer to a reader’s query:[11]
The song commencing
Good evenin’ mate, it’s gettin’ late,
The day’s work’s nearly over.
Tie up your dog, behind that log,
Come in and flash your Doveris not by Mrs. Hemans. It sounds more like Tommy Hudson.
An example of a variation of the same verse, from 1908:[12]
“Hullo, mate, it’s getting late,
The branding’s nearly over,
Tie up your dog
Behind the log,
And come and flash your Dover.”
Another example, from 1916:[13]
Good day, my mate,
You are rather late,
The shearing is all over,
Tie up your dog
Behind that log,
Come in and flash your “Dover.”
A XMAS CAROL.
Good morning, mate, you are too late,
The shearin’s quite complete,
Tie up your dog behind the log,
Get some of Jamieson’s Xmas. meat.J. F. JAMIESON
Butcher, Gundagai.
An example from 1933:[15]
Sir, — Your mention of “The Rim of Their Dovers” in a recent issue of your paper, recalls the first rhyme I learned, when a very small boy, on the Dawson River.
Come draw nigh mate: ’tis getting late.
The day is nearly over.
Tie up your dog to yonder log.
And come and flash your Dover.One of the ould lads working for my people used to quote it.
—Yours etc., “FONTENOY.”
An example from 1942:[16]
Good evening, mate, it’s getting late
The day is nearly over;
Tie up your dog behind the log
And come and flash your Dover.
The author of this poem is unknown; however, the earliest available published copy of it places the verse after the appearance of the Jack Moses poem. Both the first and second stanzas were published in newspapers in the 1920s, although they may not have been combined until much later, as the earlier example of the combination doesn’t appear until the 1950s.
“Bill the Bullocky” poem
There is a third “dog on the tucker box” poem, known by the title of “Bill the Bullocky”.
Like the “Good morning, mate” verse, this poem is quite different to that written by Jack Moses; however, it also incorporates the same famous line (albeit with the “five miles” wording): “the dog sat on the tucker box five miles from Gundagai.” The authorship of the poem has been credited to “Bowyang Yorke”.[17]
As I was coming down Conroy’s Gap
I heard a maiden cry,
“There goes Bill the Bullocky,
He’s bound for Gundagai.
A better poor old ——
Never cracked an honest crust;
A tougher poor old ——
Never drug a whip through dust.”His team got bogged at the Five-Mile Creek,
Bill lashed and swore and cried:
“If Nobby don’t get me out of this I’ll tattoo his —— hide.”
But Nobby strained, and broke the yoke,
And poked out the leader’s eye,
Then the dog sat on the tucker box,
Five miles from Gundagai.
A copy of the poem, allegedly taken from an old issue of The Gundagai Times, was exhibited in Gundagai, and was the basis for the poem’s authenticity; however, it was revealed in 1945 that the poem was written about ten years prior (in 1935, approximately), and then dummied up to make it look like it originated many years beforehand. The originators of the counterfeit poem were Oscar Aubrey Collins (the Gundagai newsagent) and Tom Kinnane, who used part of the pre-existing poem and then added to it; the page was set up by James Vaughan, who was an old-time typesetter. The poem was then printed on souvenirs for tourists, with the funds raised going to the Gundagai District Hospital. An article in The Gundagai Independent, on 16 July 1945, stated that the fake newspaper page was printed on the blank side of a newspaper sheet dated 20 June 1859, so as to make it look authentic.[18]
That particular “jingle-jangle” was put together about ten years ago by two local residents, who came to the assistance of a former local enterprising business man in framing the lines. The “poem” was then set in old type at the “Times” printing office, and printed on the reverse side of a paper which bore the date 1864. That paper was then proclaimed as an original, and exhibited in a glassed frame.
The first known appearance of the “Conroy’s Gap” version of the “Bill the Bullocky” poem in a newspaper was in the “Out among the People” section of The Advertiser (Adelaide), on 16 May 1935, which reported that the verse was being printed on postcards (with a royalty going to the Gundagai District Hospital), with a claim that the poem was written on 20 June 1859. Subsequently, the poem appeared in various other newspapers.[19]
A different version of the poem was published in 1934 (just the first stanza, without any mention of “Bill the Bullocky”), in The Herald (Melbourne), along with a claim that the poem dated back to 1886.[20]
As I was going up Cooney’s Hill
I heard the people say:
‘That young man will reach Gundagai
All on the second day.’
But I broke old Nobby’s yoke,
Put out the leader’s eye,
And camped at Sugar O’Brien’s Creek
Nine miles from Gundagai.
Yet another version of the poem uses the location Talbingo Hill (The Bulletin,1956).[21]
Considering the dating of the “Conroy’s Gap” and the “Cooney’s Hill” versions, it appears that a creation date of approximately 1934-1935 for the poem would be a credible estimation.
The year of the counterfeit newspaper page, which included the poem, has been given both as 1859 and 1864. Without access to the original piece of newspaper fakery, a definite date cannot be stated. However, the date of 20 June 1859 may be more likely, since that was the definitive date given by a local newspaper (The Gundagai Independent).[22]
The “Bill the Bullocky” poem was widely published on postcards and on matchbox holders in the town of Gundagai. With the poem thus being widely publicised, the associated souvenir knick-knacks did a roaring trade amongst tourists and travellers who used the Hume Highway to go from Melbourne to Sydney (in earlier years Gundagai was a stopping-point for interstate traffic; however, the modern interstate freeway bypasses the town). Various pieces of ephemera incorporating the dog on the tucker box were sold — cups and saucers, commemorative spoons, matchbox holders, mugs, plates, postcards, and tea-towels, with 20% of the sales of all items incorporating photographs of the monument going to the Gundagai Hospital; on top of that, the money thrown in the wishing pond (at the monument) also went to the hospital. The town profited handsomely from the influx of tourism money — which was directly spent with local businesses, as well as indirectly funding the town’s health care infrastructure. Therefore, at the time, “Bill the Bullocky” was an important poem for the town of Gundagai.[23]
Who wrote the first “dog on the tucker box” poem?
In an interview with Pix magazine in 1938, Jack Moses claimed that he wrote his version of the poem 50 years beforehand (i.e. in 1888). An article in the The Forbes Advocate, published in 1923, says that Moses wrote the poem 35 years prior (in 1888), so Moses was consistent with his claim. A 1912 newspaper report on the town show at Adelong (south of Gundagai) mentions Moses reciting a “dog on the tucker box” poem; although it called it “Five Miles from Gundagai”, so which version of the poem was being recited is unknown.[24]
During the evening “the only Moses” entertained the gathering with some of his choicest selections, his “Five Miles from Gundagai” being the pick of the bunch.”
Hard evidence exists that a poem about “the dog on the tucker box” existed at least as far back as 1901, as there is a newspaper report from that year which mentions it. The editor of the Forbes Times gave his opinion that the poem was the main reason why Gundagai was so widely known, which indicates that the poem had been around for some time.[25]
Gundagai is known to fame chiefly by a bush ode entitled “Three miles from Gundagai.” The story is a rather indefinite one about a “bullocky,” “a dawg,” and a “tucker box,” and the poem goes on to expound on the number of remarkably funny incidents which happened at that particular spot “Three miles from Gundagai.”
There are other indicators of the poem’s early existence. A 1906 newspaper mentions someone giving a recitation of “The dog sat on the tucker box” at a meeting of the Independent Order of Rechabites (a temperance organisation), and a 1913 newspaper referred to a yarn “about the tucker box five miles from Gundagai”.[26]
However, a 1918 news item, which appeared in the Cowra Free Press (and which was reprinted in various other newspapers), referred to “Jack Moses, the man who wrote the new version of “The Dog Sat on the Tucker Box”” (emphasis added), which implies that a different version of the poetic story existed by that stage. Without any solid proof either way, the true origin of the poem lies either in guesswork or blind faith in Moses’ assertion that he wrote the piece back in 1888.[27]
Nonetheless, The Gundagai Independent was emphatic that Jack Moses did not write the original “Dog on the Tucker Box” verse, although it credited him with helping to keep the legend alive. Indeed, it appears likely that there was an original poem on the subject, and that Moses penned his talented contribution later on. However, the matter is open to conjecture. Whatever the origin of the poem may be, it is a fact that the several versions of the poem have all contributed to Australia’s folk traditions.[28]
Another version of “Nine Miles from Gundagai”
Yet another “dog on the tucker box” poem exists; the earliest-known publication of this one is from 1923.[29]
I’m used to punchin’ bullock teams
Across the hills and plains,
I’ve teamed out back this forty years
In blazin’ droughts and rains.
I’ve lived a heap o’ troubles down
Without er bloomin’ lie,
But I carn’t ferget what happened me
Nine miles from Gundagai.’Twas gettin’ dark, the team got bogged,
The axle snapped in two,
I lost me matches and me pipe,
So what was I ter do?
The rain came on, ’twas bitter cold,
And hungry too was I,
And the dorg; he sat in the tucker box
Nine miles from Gundagai.Some blokes I knows ’as stacks o’ luck,
No matter ’ow they fall,
But there was I, “Lor’ luv a duck!”
No blessed luck at all.
I couldn’t make a pot o’ tea
Nor get me trousers dry,
And the dorg sit in the tucker box
Nine miles from Gundagai.I can fergive the blinkin’ team,
I can fergive th’ rain,
I can fergive the dark and cold
And go through it again,
I can fergive me rotten luck,
But hang me till I die
I carnt fergive that plurry dorg
Nine miles from Gundagai.
However, according to the newspaper columnist Bill Bowyang (a literary pseudonym of Alexander Vindex), he heard this same version recited by bushmen over 30 years beforehand (approximately 1893); but whether his memory was reliable or not is another matter.[30]
The statue of the dog on the tucker box
In 1932 a stone statue was built of the dog on the tucker box, to commemorate Australian pioneers. The statue was placed five miles from Gundagai, at a spot which was the camping ground of the old-time bullock-drivers (pioneers of the Australian haulage industry). The placement of the statue corresponded with the five-mile point mentioned in the “Bill the Bullocky” poem. There was some discussion as to whether the statue should be placed at the nine-mile point, as per the poem by Jack Moses, but it was decided to place it at the historically-known camping ground of the bullockies at the five-mile mark.[31]
Despite a lack of financial support from the local council (only a minority of councillors voted to give some funding), the “Back to Gundagai Week” organising committee was able to raise enough funds to pay for the statue.[32]
The statue includes a plaque commemorating its unveiling by the then Prime Minister, Joseph Lyons.
A tribute to our Pioneers.
Unveiled by
The Rt. Hon. J. A. Lyons, P.C.
Prime Minister of the
Commonwealth.
28 – 11 – 1932.
The stone base of the statue incorporates a plaque with a brief poem of four lines. A competition was held in 1932 to attract literary contributions, to find some fitting words to put on the monument, with the desired verse “epitomising the courage and hardships of pioneers who blazed the trail into the N.S.W. interior”. A prize of £5/5/ (five pounds and five shillings) was offered by the “Back to Gundagai Week” organising committee, and a further £2/2/ was added by The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) newspaper, making a total of seven pounds and seven shillings (all up, seven guineas) as a cash prize for the winner. Part of the competition rules was that the winning lines would become the property of the Gundagai District Hospital, thus enabling the hospital to use them for fundraising purposes. The competition attracted 2632 entries, with the winning composition being that received from Brian Fitzpatrick, of Cremorne (Sydney). The verse was subsequently added to the monument.[34]
Earth’s self upholds this monument
To conquerors who won her when
Wooing was dangerous, and now
Are gathered unto her again.
The dog on tucker box statue, a tribute to Australia’s pioneers, is a major tourist attraction for the town of Gundagai. It now has a “wishing pond” built around it, with the proceeds of the money thrown in by wishers going to the Gundagai Hospital.
Pioneers Wishing Pool
Throw in a coin & wish
All proceeds go to the
Gundagai Hospital.
The story about the dog on tucker box is one which has entertained and amused many Australians. To combine that tale with a salute, in monument form, to the pioneers of Australia’s country roads was a great idea. It is recommended to anyone, who intends to drive along the Hume Highway near Gundagai, to stop for a short break at 37 Annie Pyers Drive”, Gundagai, to visit the statue and have a look around. It’s well worth the time to experience a famous piece of Australian iconography.
Further reading
How history was made: “The Dog Sat on the Tucker Box” [poem by Jack Moses, 25 November 1919]
Nine Miles from Gundagai: The Dog and the Tucker Box [poem by Jack Moses, 1923]
The emblem of our big week: Monument where the dog sat [11 August 1932]
The Dog on the Tucker Box [“Bill the Bullocky” poem, 16 May 1935]
Along the Hume Highway: Gundagai’s historical attraction: Canberra’s alluring beauties [by “Tasman”), 8 February 1936]
Gundagai’s dog is gilt-edged investment: How digger’s brain-wave saved hospital [31 July 1937]
The man who wrote “Nine Miles from Gundagai” [29 January 1938]
Gundagai’s mysterious dog: Origin of “The Tucker Box” story unknown [7 April 1938]
The truth concerning another dog and the tucker box poem [1 February 1945]
Creator of Dog on Tucker Box: Jack Moses dead [11 July 1945]
Jack Moses dead: Well-known country show identity [13 July 1945]
Dog on Tucker Box verses [17 June 1952]
References
[1] “Along the Hume Highway: Gundagai’s historical attraction: Canberra’s alluring beauties”, The Advocate (Devonport, Tas.), 8 February 1936, p. 4 [bronze; granite blocks]
For those who are not aware of what a “tucker box” is, it is a box in which food is stored (along with associated items, such as cutlery, plates, mugs, napkins, etc.). It is variously spelt as “tucker box”, “tucker-box”, and “tuckerbox”.
See: “Gundagai’s mysterious dog: Death of Jack Moses revives controversy” (section: “The Five Mile”), The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai, NSW), 16 July 1945, p. 3
[2] “How history was made: “The Dog Sat on the Tucker Box””, The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (Gundagai, NSW), 25 November 1919, p. 2 [poem entitled “The Dog Sat on the Tucker Box”]
The poem was published in various publications, including:
The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (Gundagai, NSW), 15 October 1920, p. 2 [no title given; included as part of an article]
The Crookwell Gazette (Crookwell, NSW), 24 November 1920, p. 3 [poem entitled “The Dog and the Tucker Box”]
The Burrowa News (Burrowa, NSW), 31 December 1920, p. 3 [poem entitled “The Dog and the Tucker Box”]
The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (Gundagai, NSW), 12 April 1921, p. 2 [poem entitled “Nine Miles from Gundagai: The Dog and the Tucker Box”]
“The Albury Banner, and Wodonga Express” (Albury, NSW), 3 February 1922, p. 12 [poem entitled “Nine Miles from Gundagai”]
“The Western Champion and Parkes and District Representative” (Parkes, NSW), 30 March 1922, p. 23
“Nine Miles from Gundagai: The Dog and the Tucker Box”, in: Jack Moses, Beyond the City Gates: Australian Story & Verse, Sydney: Austral Publishing Co., 1923, pp. 26-27
[3] “How history was made: “The Dog Sat on the Tucker Box””, The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (Gundagai, NSW), 25 November 1919, p. 2
“The man who wrote “Nine Miles from Gundagai””, Pix (Sydney, NSW), 29 January 1938, p. 33
[4] “Nine Miles from Gundagai: The Dog and the Tucker Box”, in: Jack Moses, Beyond the City Gates: Australian Story & Verse, Sydney: Austral Publishing Co., 1923, pp. 26-27
[5] “The man who wrote “Nine Miles from Gundagai””, Pix (Sydney, NSW), 29 January 1938, p. 33 [includes a photo of the wooden statue at the nine mile point from Gundagai]
Richard White, “The true story of Gundagai’s dog on the Tuckerbox: Tourists, truth, and the insouciance of souvenirs”, Berghahn Journals (Berghahn Books) (published in: Journeys, vol. 17, no. 2, December 2016, pp. 115-136; see p. 120) [says “In 1926 a crude metal dog on the tuckerbox was attached to a fence post”; as this was made of metal, this may be a different small statue]
[6] “Gundagai’s mysterious dog: Death of Jack Moses revives controversy” (section: “The Five Mile”), The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai, NSW), 16 July 1945, p. 3
Richard White, “The true story of Gundagai’s dog on the Tuckerbox: Tourists, truth, and the insouciance of souvenirs”, Berghahn Journals (Berghahn Books) (published in: Journeys, vol. 17, no. 2, December 2016, pp. 115-136; see p. 121) [says of the poem “The fact that it became so popular despite being blandly nonsensical suggests that there was a widespread recognition that there was more to the story than the act of sedately sitting.”]
a) Examples of usages of, or references to, “shat on” (regarding the dog on the tucker box poem):
“Gundagai, NSW”, Aussie Towns
“Unconspicuous consumption”, The Old Foodie, 27 March 2008
“Gundagai – Places to See”, Traveller, 1 January 2009
Peter Moylan, “Expotition to the south, February 2010”, Peter & Lynne’s place, February 2010
Richard White, “The true story of Gundagai’s dog on the Tuckerbox: Tourists, truth, and the insouciance of souvenirs”, Berghahn Journals (Berghahn Books) (published in: Journeys, vol. 17, no. 2, December 2016, pp. 115-136; see p. 116)
b) Examples of usages of, or references to, “shat in” (regarding the dog on the tucker box poem):
“Nine Miles from Gundagai”, The Mudcat Café
“Five Miles from Gundagai”, Mainly Norfolk: English Folk and Other Good Music
“Jack Moses”, Warren Fahey’s Australian Folklore Unit
“A funny thing happened on the road to Gundagai”, Thru My Lens (John McCulloch), 18 August 2009
“John Greenway “Australian Folksongs and Ballads” LP 1959”, Australian Folk Music and Australian Folk Singers and Musicians, 28 November 2009
[7] “Some sidelights”, The Gundagai Independent and Pastoral, Agricultural, and Mining Advocate (Gundagai, NSW), 27 September 1920, p. 2
“The man from Gundagai”, Freeman’s Journal (Sydney, NSW), 28 October 1920, p. 83 [sic: p. 37] [a republication of the The Gundagai Independent article of 27 September 1920]
“Time goes by: But the dog will remain for ever”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai NSW), 3 October 1932, p. 2 [Sugar O’Brien’s Creek]
“Obituary: Mrs. M. A. Reardon”, The Gundagai Independent and Pastoral, Agricultural, and Mining Advocate (Gundagai, NSW), 15 December 1919, p. 2 [Sugar O’Brien’s Creek]
“Memories of old Gundagai: Recalled by Mr. T. A. Woodbridge: Gala Night at South Gundagai”, Gundagai Independent (Gundagai, NSW), 4 August 1938, p. 2 [Tom Woodbridge, Five Mile Creek, Splitter’s Creek, Sugar O’Brien’s Creek]
“Gundagai’s mysterious dog: Death of Jack Moses revives controversy”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai, NSW), 16 July 1945, p. 3
[8] Gordon Bennett, “The Boomerang of Destiny: A Tale of Outback” (Chapter XVII), The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW), 30 December 1922, p. 14 (Late Edition)
[9] “Dog on Tucker Box verses”, The Wingham Chronicle, and Manning River Observer , (Wingham, NSW), 17 June 1952, p. 4
See also: “Dog on Tucker Box verses”, Balonne Beacon (St. George, Qld.), 3 September 1953, p. 11
John Meredith and Patricia Francis, “Celebrated dog celebrated now: How many miles from Gundagai?”, The Bulletin (Sydney, NSW), 18 April 1956, p. 25 (column 5)
A “dover” is an alternate name for the European sole, a type of flat fish, also known as Dover sole; it can also refer to any other type of flat fish (dover is also known as flounder, halibut, and sole). However, in the proper context of the poem (“Come in and flash your Dover”), it refers to a knife.
See: Albert, “Types of flatfish: The complete guide”, Fishing Booker, 12 March 2021
“Sole (fish)”, Wikipedia
[10] “The Queen’s English in Australia”, The Age (Melbourne, Vic.), 22 June 1872, p. 6 [“pull out your knife and have something to eat”]
“Some social advice”, Evening News (Sydney, NSW), 20 March 1897, p. 1 of the “Evening News Supplement”
Ernest Favenc, “The Imperial Bushies”, Evening News (Sydney, NSW), 24 March 1900, p. 1 of the “Evening News Supplement”
Milroy, “Roundabout notes”, The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (Sydney, NSW), 31 May 1902, p. 1390
“The overlanders”, The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (Sydney, NSW), 18 March 1908, p. 713 (9th page of that issue)
“The man on the land: Peeps into pastoral history: Cornelia Creek: I”, The Register (Adelaide, SA), 8 April 1916, p. 10
“Northern notes: We are still pioneering”, The Age (Melbourne, Vic.), 29 August 1939, p. 12
“Aboriginalities”, The Bulletin (Sydney, NSW), 26 August 1942, p. 12 (column 2)
[11] “To correspondents”, Free Press (Norwood, SA), 18 May 1895, p. 4
[12] “The overlanders”, The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (Sydney, NSW), 18 March 1908, p. 713 (9th page of that issue)
[13] “The man on the land: Peeps into pastoral history: Cornelia Creek: I”, The Register (Adelaide, SA), 8 April 1916, p. 10
[14] “Santa Claus keeps on saying that”, The Gundagai Independent and Pastoral, Agricultural, and Mining Advocate (Gundagai, NSW), 10 December 1923, p. 2 [a group of small advertisements]
The same advertisement was also published in the same newspaper on 13 December 1923 (p. 2), 17 December 1923 (p. 2), and 20 December 1923 (p. 2).
[15] “Correspondence”, The Townsville Daily Bulletin (Townsville, Qld.), 9 December 1933, p. 12
[16] “Aboriginalities”, The Bulletin (Sydney, NSW), 26 August 1942, p. 12 (column 2)
[17] Vox, “Out among the People”, The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), 16 May 1935, p. 11
Gundagai’s dog is gilt-edged investment: How digger’s brain-wave saved hospital, Smith’s Weekly (Sydney, NSW), 31 July 1937, p. 13 [Bowyang Yorke]
“Bill the Bullocky”, The Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal, (Braidwood, NSW), 27 October 1939, p. 2 [Bowyang York]
[18] “The truth concerning another dog and the tucker box poem”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai, NSW), 1 February 1945, p. 4 [says fake was dated 1864]
“Gundagai’s mysterious dog: Death of Jack Moses revives controversy”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai, NSW), 16 July 1945, p. 3 [says fake was dated 20 June 1859; Mr O. A. Collins, Mr Tom Kinnane]
“Mr. O. A. Collins” (obituary), The Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga, NSW), 29 January 1940, p. 4 [Mr. Oscar Aubrey Collins]
“Family history research guide”, NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages (birth record: name: COLLINS OSCAR A; registration number: 20294/1890; father’s given name(s): JOHN; mother’s given name(s): LYDIA; district: BATHURST)
“The origin of dog on tucker box memorial”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai, NSW), 12 April 1951, p. 8 [James Vaughan]
[19] Vox, “Out among the People”, The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), 16 May 1935, p. 11
Vox, “Out among the People”, The Chronicle, (Adelaide, SA), 23 May 1935, p. 66 (column 5)
“Along the Hume Highway: Gundagai’s historical attraction: Canberra’s alluring beauties”, The Advocate (Devonport, Tas.), 8 February 1936, p. 4
J. G. Castleton, “A famous dog: Immortalised by Jack Moses: Teamsters and tucker-boxes”, Glen Innes Examiner (Glen Innes, NSW), 10 March 1938, p. 16
[20] The Rouseabout, “In town and out”, The Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), 29 January 1934, p. 8
[21] John Meredith and Patricia Francis, “Celebrated dog celebrated now: How many miles from Gundagai?”, The Bulletin (Sydney, NSW), 18 April 1956, p. 25 (column 5)
[22] “Along the Hume Highway: Gundagai’s historical attraction: Canberra’s alluring beauties”, The Advocate (Devonport, Tas.), 8 February 1936, p. 4 [1859 date]
“The truth concerning another dog and the tucker box poem”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai, NSW), 1 February 1945, p. 4 [1864 date]
“Gundagai’s mysterious dog: Death of Jack Moses revives controversy”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai, NSW), 16 July 1945, p. 3 [20 June 1859 date]
[23] “Along the Hume Highway: Gundagai’s historical attraction: Canberra’s alluring beauties”, The Advocate (Devonport, Tas.), 8 February 1936, p. 4 [20% to hospital]
Gundagai’s dog is gilt-edged investment: How digger’s brain-wave saved hospital, Smith’s Weekly (Sydney, NSW), 31 July 1937, p. 13 [20% to hospital]
““The Dog Sat on the Tucker Box”: Tradition is worth £500”, The Burrowa News (Boorrowa, NSW), 3 September 1948, p. 7 [souvenirs and wishing pond raising £500 per year for the hospital]
[24] “Personal”, The Forbes Advocate (Forbes, NSW), 24 August 1923, p. 4
“The man who wrote “Nine Miles from Gundagai””, Pix (Sydney, NSW), 29 January 1938, p. 33
“Adelong Show: A huge success”, The Gundagai Independent and Pastoral, Agricultural and Mining Advocate (Gundagai, NSW), 26 October 1912, p. 2
[25] “The Gundagai dose”, Forbes Times (Forbes, NSW), 22 June 1901, p. 3
[26] “District Correspondence: Metcalfe”, The Mount Alexander Mail (Castlemaine, Vic.), 18 August 1906, p. 2
“Send-off to Mr W. J. Grime”, The Southern Star (Bega, NSW), 13 December 1913, p. 2
[27] “Country Week”, Cowra Free Press (Cowra, NSW), 6 November 1918, p. 2
[28] “Gundagai’s mysterious dog: Death of Jack Moses revives controversy”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai, NSW), 16 July 1945, p. 3 [“It can be taken as a fact that no living person knows who wrote the original poem”]
[29] “Nine Miles from Gundagai”, The Gundagai Independent and Pastoral, Agricultural, and Mining Advocate (Gundagai, NSW), 8 March 1923, p. 3
[30] Bill Bowyang, “On the track”, The Townsville Daily Bulletin (Townsville, Qld.), 21 February 1935, p. 4 (column 3)
Hugh Anderson “Vennard, Alexander Vindex (1884–1947)”, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
[31] P. R. Kelly, “Where did the dog sit?”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai, NSW), 22 August 1932, p. 2 [P. R. Kelly was an organiser with the “Back to Gundagai Week” committee]
“Time goes by: But the dog will remain for ever”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai NSW), 3 October 1932, p. 2
[32] “Shire turns deaf ear to proposition: Will not give grant for monument: “The dog and the tucker box” question”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai, NSW), 12 September 1932, p. 2
“Will Cr. Tout call a special meeting? Is the Shire sitting back? And not supporting town?”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai, NSW), 17 November 1932, p. 2
[33] “Time goes by: But the dog will remain for ever”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai NSW), 3 October 1932, p. 2
“Thirty words may bring you seven guineas”, The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW), 7 October 1932, p. 10 (Late Edition)
“Big band of people will invade Gundagai: Railway picnic here during big week”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai NSW), 7 November 1932, p. 3 [New South Wales railway employees picnic]
“Gundagai carnival”, The Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga, NSW), 9 November 1932, p. 2 (First Edition) [New South Wales railway employees picnic]
““Back to Gundagai”: Holiday for schools”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai NSW), 10 November 1932, p. 2 [school holiday for local children]
“Gundagai’s tribute to Australia’s pioneers: Back to Gundagai and Pioneers’ Week, from November 23 to 30, 1932” [advertisement], The Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney, NSW), 9 November 1932, p. 2 (Late Edition)
“Topics of the town”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai NSW), 28 November 1932, p. 2 [races, dances, carnival, sideshows]
“The dog on the tucker box: Monument to pioneers”, The Sun (Sydney, NSW), 28 November 1932, p. 9 [estimate of 2000 attendees, 5000 at the day’s festivities]
“Monument to pioneers: Thousands feted at Gundagai”, The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW), 29 November 1932, p. 6 (Late Edition) [estimate of 5000 attendees]
“Gundagai honors the pioneers! Prime Minister unveils historic monument: Thousands of people gather at the Five-Mile”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai, NSW), 1 December 1932, p. 1 [estimate of 3000 attendees]
“Gundagai’s mysterious dog: Origin of “The Tucker Box” story unknown”, Gundagai Independent (Gundagai, NSW), 7 April 1938, p. 1
The photo of Prime Minister Lyons unveiling the Gundagai monument appeared in the Gundagai Independent on 1 December 1932 (p. 1), 7 April 1938 (p. 1), 16 July 1945 (p. 3), and 9 August1948 (p. 2).
[34] “In praise of the pioneers: Prize offered for a fitting verse”, The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW), 29 September 1932, p. 5 (Late Edition)
“Back to Gundagai”, The Mercury (Hobart, Tas.), 29 September 1932, p. 6
“Time goes by: But the dog will remain for ever”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai NSW), 3 October 1932, p. 2
“Along the Hume Highway: Gundagai’s historical attraction: Canberra’s alluring beauties”, The Advocate (Devonport, Tas.), 8 February 1936, p. 4
“Thirty words may bring you seven guineas”, The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW), 7 October 1932, p. 10 (Late Edition)
“Topics of the town”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai NSW), 24 October 1932, p. 2 [2632 entries]
“Sydney man wins verse competition”, The Gundagai Independent (Gundagai NSW), 27 October 1932, p. 2 [Brian Fitzpatrick]
“Trail-blazers of the West honored: Gundagai memorial inscription prize”, The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW), 1 November 1932, p. 9 (Late Edition) [Brian Fitzpatrick]
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