© W.H. Kennedy

A glowing beam from ages past, has brought the outback fame.  
Remembering the shadows cast  
from shoulders that were tough and vast.  
We call that roll by name.

First nations folk were living here when early settlers came.
Soon wars broke out, gun versus spear.
Some wanted “blacks” to disappear,
then drove off all their game.

Remembered in the Longreach shrine, 
Men mastered hand-held shear. 
Merinos bred with fleece so fine, ancestors of the modern line, 
those shorn in yesteryear.

The drovers herded cattle down, long journeys to “the smoke.”
When droughts had burnt the grasses brown,
or floods had caused more beasts to drown, 
and left the farmers broke.

In distances as vast as these, they trusted their bush wit. 
When troubles left them on their knees,  
or “pollies” wouldn’t hear their pleas,  
Bush folk just didn’t quit!

When young men heard the bugles “sound” they bravely joined the war. 
They came from camps for miles around
each rifle-sharp and saddle-bound, 
to leave their native shore.

The women who they left behind kept home sweet home as well.
With children, they were oft confined,
in huts so poor, they lived resigned.
Complaints? No one to tell.

The Qantas of Australian flight began too, out this way. 
The distances they had to fight, were won,
much to the west's delight.  
It beat the horse and dray.

Of doctors there were very few. 
Here living was a trial. 
If illness struck one close to you, what was a settler then to do? 
Just, sit and wait awhile?

Solutions soon were near at hand, the flying doctor’s game. 
The brush was cleared so they could land. 
The pioneers could understand 
how brave and skilled they came!

When Traeger and John Flynn combined, reduced the health care gap.
Alf’s radios that he designed
then made bush living less confined
To them we tip our cap!

The things we have, just were not here. 
It's built on settlers' sweat. 
So let me make it truly clear, it’s thanks to those of yesteryear
We’ll know this country yet!