Australian Bush Poetry Is Alive And Well

After many years of taking a spell from the minds of many Australians, Bush Poetry is once again making a resurgence and becoming popular again.

Australian Bush Poetry has been around since the European settlement of Australia. Poetry was written by farmers, squatters, drovers, shearers, horsemen and a myriad of other everyday people.

If we look back through history, the bush poetry that has survived, and there has been plenty of it, reflects quite accurately the times in which those people lived. The stories are wonderful and cover all aspects of life in Australia at the time. There are stories of droving treks, exploits of endurance, great feats of horsemanship, the pain of separation, in fact you could find a poem on almost any topic you would care to name.

Among the greats of Australian Bush Poetry we have names like A.B."Banjo" Paterson, who was probably Australia's best known and loved poet. When you mention bush poetry to Australians and ask them if they know of any, they will generally reply with either "The Man From Snowy River" or "Clancy of the Overflow", two of Paterson's greatest. But he is also well known for many other great poems including "A Bush Christening", "Lost", "Mulga Bill's Bicycle", "In The Droving Days" and a multitude of others. Paterson was a great writer and wrote not only poetry, but also short stories which reflected quite accurately his love of Australia and the outback.

Henry Lawson was another of the great Australian poets who had a truly expressive flair for depicting the "underdog". A socialist and staunch republican, even before the days when republicanism became a real issue for Australians, Lawson was promoting the cause. His very first published piece of work was entitled "Song of the Republic" and was written in support of the striking shearers in 1891. Whether this was put to music at the time, I don't know, but a more popularised version of it has been arranged by Hugh McDonald and called "Sons of the South". Lawson also wrote some other truly classic pieces such as "The Fire at Ross's Farm", "The Roaring Days", "Faces In The Street", "The Lights of Cobb & Co" and "The Sliprails and the Spur" to name but a few.

Apart from these truly stand out poets, there are many others as well who will long be remembered by their work. Will Ogilvie would have to be up there with the best of them. A Scot, who came to Australia only for a period of time, wrote some truly magnificent pieces whilst here, but also continued to write poetry when he went back home to Scotland. He had a magnificent way of depicting scenery and a fantastic manner of creating visions in peoples' minds when his poetry is read or recited. Among his poetry, I think that "The Riding of the Rebel" is his most brilliant.

R.M Williams, the great Australian bushman and businessman, arranged for the publication of Ogilvie's work in a book called "Saddle for a Throne". It can be ordered through most saddlery shops.

These are just some of the more well known poets. There are also others who have written well loved pieces and a bit of research on the web will turn them up. Do a search on poetry by Adam Lindsay Gordon, John O'Brien, Henry Kendall, Thomas E. Spencer and you will be rewarded with a wealth of first class Australian Bush Verse. Yes, indeed, Australian Bush Verse is alive and well. There are competitions, performances, festivals and poets' breakfasts happening now all over Australia. There are also many clubs in place where you can join in and participate in keeping this magnificent art form alive.

Ric Raftis is a bush poet who performs both his own work and the work of the old masters. Ric runs the Australian Bush Poetry Verse & Music website at www.bushverse.com

Related Information of Interest:

Guitar Lessons – Hammer-On, Pull-Offs
One of the primary legato techniques all guitarists must learn is the hammer-on, pull-off. This technique is important because it allows for nuances in tone and expression, and it allows the picking hand a “break” since it does not have to pick the notes on the hammer-on or the pull-off. This results in a faster progression of notes, sometimes called licks.

The hammer-on is accomplished when you pick a note and then using another finger hammer down on the same string. The sound of the hammered note is less pronounced than the picked note. For example place your first finger on the 5th fret of the 3rd string, and the hammer down your third finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string. Don’t use your just quickly strike the second fret position with the tip of your 3rd finger. This would be described in guitar tab as 5h7 or 5 hammer 7. Keep your first finger on the 5th fret because you are going to pull-off of the 7th fret in the next example.

The pull-off results when you release a plucked note with enough force such that the second fretted note rings. This may require a slight side way motion to create enough friction to cause the string to ring out. The sound of the pulled-off note is less pronounced since you aren't using your pick to create it. This would be illustrated in guitar tab 7p5 or 7 pull 5.

If you combine these techniques you can create very fast note runs or licks. Imagine how this sequence of hammer-on, pull-off’s would sound when played very quickly 5h7p5h7p5. In deed the hammer-on, pull-off technique is the cornerstone for legato and most speed playing techniques.

It takes time to perfect the technique but it is worth the effort.

Bill McRea is the publisher of www.guitarwarehouse.com and www.kansasfans.com. Bill has owned and operate a highly successfull guitar business until he sold the business in 2004.

Five Reasons Why You Should Drink More Water Everyday
1. Drinking more water everyday will keep your skin looking smooth and supple. Applying expensive creams and lotions to your face is not an effective way to conceal the effects aging has on your skin. The real fountain of youth can be found in a glass of water.

2. Drinking more water everyday will help you cut calories. Most popular beverages are loaded with calories. A can of soda can have as many as 240 calories per serving. Drinking 1 or 2 of these each day is a recipe for gaining weight. Choosing to drink water instead is the calorie free way to quench your thirst.

3. Drinking more water everyday will help you distinguish thirst from hunger. If you allow your body to become dehydrated it will be difficult to discern whether that gnawing feeling in your stomach is a call for food or a call for water. And if you keep eating food when what your body really needs is water, you will gain weight.

4. Drink more water everyday will help your think more clearly. Research has repeatedly shown that staying hydrated is necessary for the human brain, which is 85 percent water, to function at optimal levels. That is why many school systems throughout the country now encourage students to keep a bottle of water at their desks and to drink it throughout the day.

5. Drinking more water everyday will help you feel better. Your body is about 75 percent water and 25 percent solid material. Doesn’t it make sense that you would need to drink water on a daily basis to ensure that your body has all the water it needs to perform at optimal levels. It is a mistake to believe that thirst is the only indicator of a need to drink water. Constipation, achy joints and fatigue are also signals that your body may be dehydrated.

Jacqueline D. Stanley: Author, Speaker, Chief Encouragement Officer at Lettuce Is Not Enough University: The Place to Learn How to Live Well and Lose Weight. lettuceisnotenough.com

Mountain Bikes – A Mainstream Riding Style
Mountain bike riders must have shock system type of bikes that include full suspension and hard tail and even no suspension. The shock system is important as because it helps to absorb the impact over rugged terrain that provide a smoother ride. Full suspension bikes got suspension in both the front and the rear of the bike. Hard tail bikes have solid rear fork and shock system in place of the front fork. Mountain bikes with lower end models do not have a shock system in the front or in the back of the bike.

Types of Mountain Bikes to Enjoy

Mountain bikes for cross-country riders are ideal for small to moderate train and they got both climbing and descending capabilities as well. The travel in the rear suspension system is less than four inches that does not hinder the ability to climb hills. The standard numbers of gears on cross-country bikes are 28 providing a wide range of gears suitable for the traveling over varied terrain.

In mountain bikes, trail bikes are more substantial than cross country bikes as they are intended for use for more technical mountain bike rides. The travel in suspension systems used on these bikes ranges is from 4-7 inches. This increased travel allows for a very smoother ride but makes pedaling uphill more difficult too. Mountain bikers have to weigh the decreased pedal efficiency versus a smoother ride.

The down hill mountain bikes detailed with the front and rear shock that have up to eight inches of travel. These bikes are specifically designed to do downhill racing. The amount of travel in the suspension systems makes it difficult to pedal uphill, for this reason these bikes are used almost exclusively for the downhill races where the shock systems allows smooth possible ride over harsh terrain at high speeds also.

Dirt jump bikes are one more verity in mountain bikes, which have only a front suspension system and used for flying over jumps. They have 16 gears in these bikes which allows the rider to build up the speed they need while making jumps.

Alastair Hamilton is a successful writer who contributes adding technical articles on road and mountain bikes to bike mags.

Caring for Parakeets
Caring for parakeets is the most important step in keeping parakeets as pets. Remember their immune systems can be touchy. This means that at the first sign of illness, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. Even a simple virus can turn deadly overnight. A regular care and checkup of your parakeet can keep you away from visiting the vet too frequently. Caring for parakeets means

A regular checkup of their plumage - birds keep their plumage in peak condition by preening. You can encourage this by occasionally misting it with warm water.
Selecting the right cage for your parakeet - choose a cage that is large enough to allow it plenty of exercise. Most cages come with 2 perches. For more specialized caring for parakeets, you can attach a cuttlebone to the side of the cage. It will help keep the bird's beak in good condition and will serve as a source of calcium and other minerals.
A proper and adequate diet – this is the single most notable aspect in shaping the health, vitality, and permanence of your parakeet. Give them leafy green vegetables, rice, tofu, some seeds and fruits like orange and papaya. These would give them all the required nutrients to keep them healthy.
Regular bathing of your parakeet – give your parakeet a regular shower of 5-7 times a week in the summer and 3-5 times a week during the winter. This routine will help you keep your parakeet clean and avoid skin related diseases.
Proper grooming of your parakeet – proper and regular trimming of the toenails is very essential. Consult a veterinarian if you wish to clip its wings.
Lack of parakeet care can result in feather plucking, moody and ill-trained parakeets at home. It is always a good idea to know what injuries and what diseases can affect your parakeet, what is the ideal diet for a parakeet, how many times a week should you give it a bath. These would help you undertake foolproof caring for your pet parakeets.

A healthy parakeet is more likely to be immune to diseases and can stay around for a long time to make you laugh, make you entertained and give you a moment to smile…

About the Author

The author is a parrot lover for the last 12 years and is the owner of the website http://www.pet-parrots.com