AUS-VIC-NE-L Archives

Archiver > AUS-VIC-NE > 2000-05 > 0957671115


From: "Denise McMahon" <>
Subject: [AVNE]
Date: Sun, 7 May 2000 13:45:15 +1000


I thought people might appreciate the following found in my gg's scrap book -- anywhere between 1853 and 1900.

THE OLD PIONEERS
submitted by J.W.
Milawa


Beneath the pines in the cemetery ground,
The old pioneer is sleeping sound,
No records of the life he led;
His tombstone simply says he's dead,
No mention of his faithful wife,
Who struggled with him in his strife,
To found a home and settle down
And with success his labours crown.

>From early morn till late at night
Determinedly he waged the fight,
In clearing and by fencing in
The land he wrought so hard to win.
His house comprised of slabs and bark;
Through many a chink that after dark
The moon or stars came peeping in
To see tin plates and pannikin.

A couple they saw at the fire sat,
Having their regular evening chat,
Before they took themselves to bed,
Worn out and tired they laid their head,
And heard the wild dog's short,sharp bark,
The weird curlew and 'possum's squark.
Their need of rest had grown so deep
These noises ne'er distrubed their sleep.

His furniture was hard and bare
And harder still his usual fare--
Salt beef and bread; 'twas very rare
That luxuries were ever there,
He envied not the rich man's food,
for what he ate was just as good,
Made sweet by work and pure fresh air.
Contentment too, was always there.

He came from a strong and hardy race,
Who can make a home in any place,
With self reliance strong and true,
What e'er their hand findeth to do;
Australia's sons will never know
What pioneers had to undergo
To make these places to their hand--
Gardens from the wild bush land.

-------------------------


######################################
Denise Marriott McMahon - ex Melbourne 21 years
Brisbane Queensland -
Searching -
CONWAY - County Clare and N.E. Victoria
MCNEIL - Isle of Skye Scotland and Victoria
GREEN - Tasmania
CRAWFORD, NE Victoria, USA, Ireland, Scotland
HAEFFNER, NE Victoria, Germany
HALL, Victoria, England
MARRIOTT, Victoria, England
PINNER, Tasmania, Victoria, England
JENKS, NH USA, Victoria and NSW Australia
FOSTER, Rutland Ma USA and Keene NH USA
NOONAN - Ireland and Australia????
###############################################

This thread: