Let them be heard

On May 13, 1787, the “First Fleet” of military leaders, sailors, and convicts set sail from Portsmouth, England, to found the first European colony in Australia.

Some ten months later, on January 26th, 1788, the Fleet landed at Sydney Cove, now known as Circular Key, of course the landscape in the last 235 years there has changed dramatically.

Sadly, though the inhabitants of 1788 prior to the Fleet landing never had any say about the British Landing and to this day little has changed, they still have a very limited voice. The 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum will ask voters to approve an alteration to the Australian constitution, creating the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to represent Indigenous Australians to the parliament and federal government on matters of Indigenous affairs.

Poetry in Australia has in many cases shown the world a lot about our society, its norms and our attitudes. The poem, The Man from Snowy River by A.B. “Banjo” Paterson which was adapted into a movie in 1982 has now been seen worldwide! One reviewer commented: "The Australian film industry has been responsible for many decent films for decades (and some utter crap, of course), but the percentage with international appeal is quite small. That is changing, and it is films such as The Man from Snowy River that have ensured ongoing interest. The film was inspired by the 'Banjo' Paterson poem of the same name, and stars numerous respected local talents and a Hollywood big name star in Kirk Douglas, playing two roles.

This one poem from “Banjo” is probably the most famous Australian poem of all time, and has shown a lifestyle of mateship, bravery and courage. And in a small way it has shown the world some of the skills of our Aboriginal people as trackers. The poet describes Australia as being a “Nation of trees, drab green and a desolate Grey” that “darkens her hills “. He sees Australia as a country that is bleak and almost colourless and dull. This very much resembles the “field uniform of modern wars”, where everything is in shade of grey and green.

My wish is that more poems about Australia could have such an impact for the betterment of the life of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Australia’s Silenced History a poem by Nola Gregory, from WA is one example of the attempts to highlight what has transpired and how inequitably and savagely the newcomers have treated the original inhabitants of Australia.

To that end I now attach another poem from my alter ego “Ted Belly” which coincidently rhymes very sweetly with “Ned Kelly”, another well-known Australian.

Australia Our Land

An old land with but a few of its original inhabitants,

But as luck would have it many more survivors among the plants,

Diverse and harsh in places soft and green in others,

And to think of all the sadness suffered by aboriginal mothers,

The English gentry in their wisdom have spoiled this land of theirs,

Roughly, violently, and brutally they robbed the true heirs,

The emu and kangaroo adorn our flags, but neither are really ours,

They belong to the Aborigines just like the native flowers,

Proud and strong in stature they cared well for their people and their land,

Millenniums of tradition and culture lost to a royal command,

So as guests in this fine country let us remember what used to be,

From this day forward look deeper than the colour of the skin you see,

Alcohol a poison used to cull the spirit, and the bullet did the rest,

Fortunately, though enough have survived so we are blessed,

And through the elder’s wisdom we may still be able to learn,

And in time a place in this country we may just earn,

They managed this country well and knew how and where to burn,

Whilst most of us worry more about our tax return,

So next time you see an original Australian take their hand,

And thank them for allowing you to share this sacred and beautiful land,

Then and only then will we ever understand,

Australia this is our land!

By Ted Belly

The author

Geoff Houghton

Adelaide SA

gah1950@outlook.com