Jim Haynes

Jim Haynes

Proud to be a Real Aussie!
Another Real Aussie - The Koala
Christmas is coming - Holly There are two offers with great bonus items. Check out the options here
space space space space space space space space space space space
What's New About Jim and What Others Think of Him Events Books and CD's News and updates Media Information Photo Gallery - Jim and Friends Contact Jim Links of Interest Home space

Poem of the Week

Native Names (An extract)

By John Dunmore Lang, our first Presbyterian Minister in 1824 … that’s 184 years ago!
Note: Henry Goulburn was Secretary of State for The colonies

I like the native names, like Parramatta,
And Illawarra, and Woolloomoloo;
Nandowra, Woogarora, Bulkomatta, Tomah, Toongabbie, Mittagong, Meroo;
Buckobble, Cumleroy, and Coolangatta, Warragumby, Bargo, Burradoo;
I hate your Goulburn Downs and Goulburn Plains,
And Goulburn River and Goulburn Range,
And Mount Goulburn and Gouburn Vale! One’s brains
Are turned with Goulburns! Vile scorbutic mange
For immortality! Had I the reins
Of government a fortnight, I would change
These Downing Street appellatives, and give
The country names that should deserve to live.

 

Good on ya John!! A man ahead of your time I reckon! Too many Aussie places are named after boring old Brits who never even VISITED Australia!

I chose this one as our first ‘Poem of the Week’ because it’s a subject dear to my heart. Hope you enjoyed it.

Jim Haynes

Latest Book

Jim's latest book

From Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson, to Barry Humphries and John Williamson - The Book of Australian Popular Rhymed Verse is a unique record of Australia’s heritage, social history, national character and sense of humour.

Check out
this month's specials

All material on this site is copyright and may not be reproduced without permission from Jim Haynes. 
©2008 Jim Haynes and Singabout Australia.