We are Australian

I have never felt prouder to be an Australian as I have now. It is amazing what you appreciate when you have a chance to stand back and have another look.


We had a great time on Australia day and were able to share stories, poems, songs, pictures, sayings, jokes, food, a slideshow and a love for our country. Mark came in with a stash of vegemite sandwiches and lamingtons and we had a party in the staffroom at school which was a load laughs especially when Mark W did the Tim Tam Slam.

We shared part of our famous Australian poem by Banjo Paterson

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The Man from Snowy River

THERE was movement at the station, for the word had passed around

That the colt from old Regret had got away,

And had joined the wild bush horses — he was worth a thousand pound,

So all the cracks had gathered to the fray.

All the tried and noted riders from the stations near and far

Had mustered at the homestead overnight,

For the bushmen love hard riding where the wild bush horses are,

And the stock-horse snuffs the battle with delight.

Then we shared our own version

The Fowlers from Australia

There was movement at Keheewin, for the word had passed around
That the Fowlers had alighted from the plane.
And had joined the wild Canadians – that are worth a thousand laughs
Although their stirring can prove to be a pain.

All the teachers in the staffroom, with their accents that were strange
Scared the Aussies with their humour, what a shame.
They lack thongs, Tim Tams and Lamingtons with no vegemite in sight
They wondered was the Principal to blame.

But no, Boggsy was a friendly one, she had showed them love and care
To Tim Horton’s and Walmart she took them round.
Barb and Shirley were so nice it’s true, they gave a helping hand
But cheating with tissue boxes they were found.

In came invitations, to show the Aussies round
To introduce them to the town of Edmonton.
Old Strathcona, grocery stores and into the great outdoors
Louanne, Simone and Norma showed them fun.

First week of their arrival, the weather turned it on
Minus 30 and blizzards to be had.
Breathe through your nose or your lungs will surely freeze
“Bring it on” said the Aussies, they must be mad.

The car was a find, Bessie the Beater was her name.
Stall or slide was their motto everyday.
To be bogged in the snow was an adventure to be had
And if they stayed to the right they wouldn’t pay

We are different, yet the same and together we all laugh
At the words and the games that we all play
Thankyou each and every one of you for the welcome that you gave
And with that I will tell you “We will stay”