MEMORIES OF AN AUSTRALIAN CHILDHOOD

From England's dark blackout We came to these shores I and my siblings In refuge from war. How enchanted we were With all we saw. First Sydney's fine harbour And her bridge of one span Then the azure blue sea The long beaches of sand The beautiful city lit up at night To our youthful eyes a wondrous sight. The Aussie soldier in his famous slouch hat The long train journey to the far outback The Cockies screech the Kookaburra's cackle New sights and sounds for my brain to tackle. The grazing sheep the fields of wheat The fun of the master the blistering heat The long hot summers with respite at the sea Where we swam and surfed in unspoilt glee. School days were spent in city or mountain retreat Strict was the discipline our uniforms neat. Happy the friendships spacious the grounds Nuns telling rosary beads flitting around. With firmness and patience they taught us well Recreation was announced by the tolling bell. Oh the joy when the holidays came What fun we had on the old school train. It trundled along past wilga and gum Past meandering creeks and billabongs Past Emus grazing and Roos hopping along Through wide open spaces rich in bird song. At the graceful homestead with veranda surround Stood the welcoming grandmother so recently found. With parents far off she gave care and love How proud we were of her pioneer blood. She cooked and scrubbed and chopped the wood She could do everything she really could. But tragedy stuck With her soldier son killed. She grieved and withered and lost her will. No longer in her life Would he take part Months later she died of a broken heart. There came a time when with many tears I bade farewell to this life so dear. I had no choice I had to go. The years passed on I missed it all so. This time when I came I touched down by plane. New visions flood my startled brain Australia I find is absorbed in change it makes me feel so very strange. The laid back Aussie with his old world charm A computer wiz now and amazingly calm. The coastline is cluttered highrises abound The noise of the traffic an ugly sound. But the song of the Bellbird is still a wonder It soothes my senses as I ponder. For no land on earth has so much to offer. So I’ll settle here I will not hover. Perhaps the maternal ancestors smile from above. For at last I'm here In the land they loved. And I'll spend the twilight of my years In this country I've always held so dear.