150 Years poem
Toowoomba resident Mick Grace has written a commemorative poem celebrating Queensland’s 150th anniversary.
By Mick Grace - Toowoomba
In 1859 the State of Queensland was born,
'The ties that bind' with New South Wales had finally been torn.
The dream of independence had been so long aspired
By all the people good and true, north of the Macintyre.
For many years they'd had this dream –
They'd dream about a place
Where the wind blows free through the bright palm trees
And the sun shines on your face.
Where the tropic fruits grow fat and sweet
Near the fields of sugarcane;
And the rain clouds form to a tropical storm
And bring almighty rain.
Where the farming lands are far and wide
As the smile on a stockman’s face;
And the earth is full of riches
For the miners, seeking trace.
Where the blue Pacific waters
Break white across the Reef,
And the golden sands of the seashore
Stand out in stark relief.
Where the spirit of its people
Is seen in every smile,
And a traveller can get some rest
And wash away the miles.
Way out there on the ocean
The tidal forces swell
'Round picture-perfect islands
That cast a magic spell.
Where palm trees bend towards the sand
As they feel the ocean breeze,
And the children gather pretty shells
By the shallows of the sea.
Where, up there in the Gulf country
The hardy fishermen
Go out to sea in little boats
And then, go out again.
Their nets bulge out with tender prawns
Oh what a sight to see!
They risk it all to bring to us
The bounty of the sea.
Where, out along the stock routes
The men have leather skin,
They're hard as nails and tough as teak
Yet, soft and kind, within.
Where honest toil's rewarded
With pride and well earned pay,
And you rest on cool verandahs
At the dying of the day.
Where people of all races
Find hope, and room to live,
They give their all, and then some,
And,' yet, find more to give.
Where sporting men and women
Are noted for their fame.
Their deeds are written in our hearts
No matter what their game.
Where Bernborough and Gutsynd
Went burning down the track,
And set our hearts to bursting,
From city to outback.
Where hearts are always happy,
And souls are full of cheer,
It's been this way for some time,
One hundred and fifty years.
For the people of this golden place
Have no time to keep score
They have one simple wish, you see,
One hundred and fifty more!
To the southern souls this is a dream -
‘No skies could be so blue'.
Yes, Queensland surely is a dream,
A dream that has come true.
Last reviewed 7 October 2009
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