Page 15 - eMuse Vol.9 No.02_Classical

“Boondooma Homestead” is located on the “Durong Mundub-
bera Road in Queensland” It is what remains of a massive station
that covered literally thousands of acres. As it was back in the The Magazine for Writers that Readers Enjoy
days after the Great War; lots of these Stations were broken up
into smaller and smaller holdings. Boondooma Homestead is a
fully restored property that portrays the way life used to be in
such a way that one can only be inspired. Each year “Boondooma
Homestead” hosts an Australian Balladeer country music festival
called appropriately “The Spirit of the Bush Festival” in April; that
includes a Great ANZAC Day Parade. (Boondooma Homestead has
a Face Book Page) The following verse was penned at “Biggenden”
and inspired by “Boondooma Homestead”.
The Spirit of Boondooma Features:

• Poetry from Australia’s finest and
By Gregory M. Dillon. 28-4-08. international poets

On the road to old “Mundubbera,”
near the winding river Boyne • Writing Techniques
You’ll come across “Boondooma Station” • Competitions
and that old Homestead of mine.

I gave away me mortal coil, over half a century back. • Publishing contacts
And as a spirit wandered; the Over-lander’s track.
Was a form of Purgatory – neither Heaven – neither Hell. All beautifully illustrated throughout.
Now; back home Boondooma, is ordained that I should dwell. Packed with information articles every serious
So I left the Never-Never; and drifted o’er the land writer needs to read
Till I crossed the old “Boyne River” Oh, the feeling; it was grand.
My spirits they were soaring – {Oh, please excuse the pun}. Contact Peter Pike
It felt really bloody good – back on the old home run.
editor@freexpression.com
Then I hovered just a while, when I reached that northern rise
I overlooked the Homestead yards in horror and surprise.
A thousand bloody Motor Homes were gathered round the place;
and the strains of mortal music, was a spectral disgrace. OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG
It really got my Dander up, I cursed the Moon and Stars
I must have killed a China-man, just look at all them cars. WRITERS
These people have gone backwards, with all their modern gear;
I’ll haunt them all to breakfast time, through every blessed year. Free XpresSion is a high quality, well presented, magazine which
publishes Australian and International stories, all types of poems
I drifted in among them, in a ghostly sort of way and articles. It also includes ideas and writing tips, competition
Determined to wreak havoc, I’ll make them rue the day. listings, publication opportunities and other facets of interest to
But then; me Spirit lifted, I heard the lilting tone writers.
Of the lady rocking gently, in her rocking chair alone. The Editor, Peter Pike, does a wonderful job complementing sub-
missions with appropriate graphics and photographs including
when “Waltzing Matilda” came drifting; full colour cover and centre page presentations. More informa-
Then my Spirit was never so clad. tion regarding the magazine can be found on the website www.
That I had come home to “Boondooma” freexpression.com.au
The Station I raised from a pad. I have taken over co-ordinating and organising the Young Xpres-
sions pages of this bi-monthly publication. My role is to seek out
SEE YOU THERE FRIENDS talented young writers and to present their work as a means of
sharing and encouragement.
Editor’s Footnote: As poets, writers, teachers, parents, grandparents, neighbours,
etc. etc. if you know of any young person or persons up to the
The name Boondooma is from a traditional indigenous word age of 18 (at the time the work was written), whose writing could
meaning a hole dug in sand to get drinking water. be considered for publication, please either pass my contact on
to their family or pass their details on to me so that I may get in
touch with them.
This is a wonderful opportunity for deserving young writers to see
their stories, poems and even graphics in print and helps to fulfil
the aim of us all – to nurture a love of writing and creativity in the
generations who will take over from us.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Brenda Joy
Host Editor Young Xpressions
(also Promotions Officer – Australian Bush Poets Association)
Contact details email halenda@live.com.au
Postal PO Box 1727, CHARTERS TOWERS, Qld. 4820
Telephone 04 3812 1074

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