Ken Boddie

7 years ago · 2 min. reading time · ~10 ·

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And from all the lands on earth we come .....

And from all the lands on earth we come .....

WO

"I'm the hot wind from the desert, I'm the black soil of the plains, 

I'm the mountains and the valleys, I'm the drought and flooding rains, 

I am the rock, I am the sky, the rivers when they run, 

The spirit of this great land, I am Australian."


This is the last verse of Woodley and Newton's "I Am Australian", one of several national songs adopted by many as a favourite, and sung with gusto on this day, 26 January, our national, 'Australia Day'. 

Our national anthem, "Advance Australia Fair", with its quirky language is our official pride, but "I Am Australian", along with "Waltzing Matilda" and Peter Allen's "I Still Call Australia Home" are the words and notes that stir our odd-ball collection of 'she'll be right' individual laid-back Ocker Aussies into a collective indomitable spirit of mateship.

For those of you who reside outside the 'Lucky Land', and are therefore unfamiliar with our inimitable ways, I refer you to a few of my previous posts extolling the virtues of the 'Land of Oz', with the intention of going part way to introducing us Aussies as a separate and oft-times endearing species:

https://www.bebee.com/producer/@ken-boddie/she-ll-be-right-mate 

https://www.bebee.com/producer/@ken-boddie/may-i-have-the-next-waltz-matilda 

https://www.bebee.com/producer/@ken-boddie/i-come-from-a-land-down-under 

0ae3ab06.jpg

Australia is my adopted homeland, but my pride in my "island land", whose people have come "from all the lands on earth", is all the stronger for my selection of nationality, rather than the gloomy resolve and whinjing complacency exhibited by so many from other countries who take their nationality for granted.

And so I ask you to humour me and forgive my swelling pride on this Australia's national day.  Join me, if you will, by singing or whistling if you can hold a tune, or just clap your hands or tap your feet if your friends insist you are tone deaf, but click on the video below first, or you'll look really weird . 

http://ken-boddie.squarespace.com

The author of the above, Ken Boddie, besides being a sometime poet and occasional writer, is an enthusiastic photographer, rarely leisure-travelling without his Canon, and loves to interact with other like-minded people with diverse interests.

Ken's three day work week (part time commitment) as a consulting engineer allows him to follow his photography interests, and to plan trips to an ever increasing list of countries and places of scenic beauty and cultural diversity.


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#Woodley #Australia #Australia Day #January #Newton
Comments

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #47

#53
I do agree, Monica, that our younger Australians occasionally behave like "animals" , particularly when let off the leash overseas. Or are you perhaps referring to the lead photo of kangaroos? 😂

CityVP Manjit

7 years ago #46

#51
Dear Ken, 30 years ago I was more of a doppelgänger of Rocky Balboa - but as my kids tell me with absolute conviction "What the F. happened to you dad?" This is what middle-age looks like kids is my reply, to which they point their fingers to Johnny Depp. Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise - I just can't win! The trick I find is that if we can find a way of making a few million dollars - we can afford the AND - Brisbane AND Hudson Bay. Or at least I can afford Toronto and Sydney that is when I can afford a personal supersonic jet. I better start working on my personal brand then - but then I will need to set up a new site as competition to Javier and Juan, and only the boys and few gals at LinkedIn would love that kind of divide and rule. OK in regards to the last paragraph I am booking an appointment with a brand proctologist soon, who will give me some medication to get over a new slogan that is stuck in my beBee.

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #45

#49
Hard to envisage you, Manjit, as the doppelgänger of Johnny Rotten. I would be happy to swap Brisbane for Hudson Bay right now, or wherever there is some cooling snow and ice. It's been hot enough to fry eggs on the car bonnet for a few weeks.

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #44

#48
The Cutty Sark is due to leave Brisbane about 122 years ago next week, on her final wool cargo voyage for the UK, via the Cape. Thanks to the Tardis, I've arranged for a case of Vegemite to be stowed in the captain's cabin. Keep an eye out to sea, Claire, and she should be close to you in about three weeks. Captain Woodget has a keen eye for the ladies and so may invite you aboard to take delivery in person. If so, take due care and ensure that you give his collie dogs, who travel with him on every voyage, a wide berth. Bred as sheep dogs, they have taken to nipping the heels of any unprepared fair damsel who may venture too close and whose ankles may be as white as snow, in the not uncommon manner of their breed, having been taught that this is the most expeditious means of directing said ankles towards the flock.

CityVP Manjit

7 years ago #43

#45
Ken you are an educated man, I am an ex-soccer hooligan and pogo minded punk rocker born in the ghetto side of working class London. The only thing I regret living in London is that I never got a conviction, so I had to emigrate to Canada instead.

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #42

#43
The Scots have been relocating (some say they're revolting, pun intended) here for many years. I could look at some figures for you but you know what 'they' say, "there's lies, damned lies, then there's statistics". Just look at it this way, Lis, there's a helluvalot of ginger haired people around this world, and the relocating, pillaging or revolting Scots (supplemented, in the early days, by the Vikings) are probably responsible for the great majority of them.

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #41

#41
I'm onto your Vegemite request, Claire. I've promised Paul Walters (who claims to be starving for his art) that I'll drop a Red Cross parcel, via hot air balloon, on his Bali house with some Vegemite in it. I can either extend the balloon trip to SA (which may take some time assuming it gets blown off course a few times) or would you prefer the more reliable delivery of Vegemite by tea cutter or clipper, then horse and cart? Incidentally, may I have the next waltz?

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #40

#40
The word 'football' means too many things to so many people here in Oz, Manjit. The most popular 'foot' ball games here are, firstly and foremostly, Rugby League or NFL (a ruffians' game played by ruffians); then there's Aussie Rules or AFL ('aerial ping pong' to those like me who are non subscribers and non combatants); then there's my former game of Rugby Union (a ruffians' game played by 'gentlemen', who are not very gentle); then there's Soccer, which is generally a chance for all the more recent nationals and immigrants to take all their various land of origin grievances onto the sports field (a gentleman's game played by ruffians). To choose your game of preference here in Oz, you first need to select the shape and size of the ball, then the players, who may be either 'slim and trim', 'stocky and cocky', or 'built like the proverbial brick outhouse'. Perhaps that explains why some of us are still 'learning', Manjid. We just can't make up our minds whether or not we're gentlemen, and whether or not to kick the damned thing or pick it up and run with it. 🤔

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #39

#42
Next time I'm in Sydney (a couple of weeks time) and in Melbourne (in March) sounds like I'll have a 5% chance of pumping into a Croat. I certainly hope they have some licitar hidden away somewhere. Yum yum 🍰

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #38

Belated happy Australian day Ken Boddie. Love the Anthem. I must say, from all I've heard and seen, I'd love to visit your beautiful country one day. My bucket list sure is getting long! I never asked this before, did many Scots relocate to the land of Oz? (Or immigrate, not sure of the proper term).

Lada 🏡 Prkic

7 years ago #37

#34
Ken, I forgot to mention that according to the last census taken in 2011 there are about 150,000 Croats and their descendants in Australia, whereas Croatian communities claim that there are 250,000 Croats. It’s about 5% of the total population in Croatia. The majority of Croats live in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Canberra. So you're right, "I am, You are, We are Australian." :)

CityVP Manjit

7 years ago #36

Fair Dinkum Ken, Oz is a great place ! It is good to see that Australians are finally learning to play meaningful football. Not that Australian Rules stuff but footie - the real football. https://www.fromthegrapevine.com/slideshows/lifestyle/7-countries-you-didnt-know-were-soccer-crazy/page/5

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #35

#30
Funnily enough, Todd, Bryson is one of my favourite authors, having read all his books. 👍

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #34

#29
I remember, Paul, when first introduced to the Indonesian language, many years ago, that I was having difficulty finding suitable mnemonics for words or expressions .... and so .... Terry McKenzie, Tuan!

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #33

#27
Many thanks, Sara, but there's only one thing better than watching the tennis ..... and that's watching the cricket! 🙄

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #32

#26
Fair go, mate! 👍

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #31

#25
Onya, Pascal! 👍

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #30

#24
Thanks so much, Lada, but, in the interest of your health and safety, please stop tap dancing! You might fall into the sink. 😲

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #29

#23
Glad you enjoyed it, Liesbeth! 👍

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #28

#22
So many good wishes from you and our fellow bees, Javier. How much can a koala bear? 🤣

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #27

#28
We never mind being fairly thrashed by fellow 'down under' brothers, Ian, as long as one or the other of us (or both) continues to 'educate' the Pomms. 😂

Paul Walters

7 years ago #26

happy strayla day mate !

Ian Weinberg

7 years ago #25

A great country, great people, but we still beat you in cricket. Happy Australian Day!

Sara Jacobovici

7 years ago #24

#7
So appreciate you tagging me Ken Boddie. I am embarrassed to say that as I have been watching the Aussie Open, I didn't realize that you were celebrating your National Day. Glad to know and so glad to see the video and sing along. Loved it!! I actually remember listening to the music of The Seekers. I am learning of a new and different side to Australia from you Ken. Belated good wishes!

Pascal Derrien

7 years ago #23

Have a good day mate :-)

Lada 🏡 Prkic

7 years ago #22

Ken, I am tapping my feet right now, not because I am tone deaf, and I can't stop tapping. The song is very catchy and patriotic. I like it. Happy Australian Day to all Australians on beBee!

Liesbeth Leysen, MSc.

7 years ago #21

lovely post, Ken Boddie!

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

7 years ago #20

Happy Australian Day ! We do love our australian bees !!! buzz on!

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #19

#19
I almost forgot that on Saturday it'll be Xīnnián kuàilè, Dean-san! Go the chooks!

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #18

#18
No bars on our windows any more, Dean-san, but there are windows in our bars! Cheers 🍺

Dean Owen

7 years ago #17

Meanwhile in China I am just about to celebrate New Year's Eve!

Dean Owen

7 years ago #16

Possibly the greatest country on Earth and that includes the wonderful people of Australia. Amazing what you can do with a bunch of criminals! Happy Australia Day my friend.

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #15

#13
A checkered history indeed, Devesh, but nothing stops us having a "wonderful national day". 👍

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #14

#12
Bloody hot here at the moment, Paul. Send some snow over.

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #13

#10
I'll drink to that, Mamen. 🤠

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #12

#6
Reminds me of a really bad joke about 'honour and offer', Kev. Perhaps for another time ..... or perhaps not. 😊

Devesh 🐝 Bhatt

7 years ago #11

#8
Haha. Republic Day here is a dry day, all liquor stores closed. An Australian tourist has convinced a hotelier to supply him some Rum has he wanted to raise a glass for the Rum Rebellion. For a few years I used to think , Australians have a wonderful National Day. It's only later that I came to know about the Fleet landing and the true history.

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #10

#5
I guess we're both from a land down under, Gert. Thanks for the good wishes, and I promise not to chunder.

Mamen 🐝 Delgado

7 years ago #9

Cheers!! Happy Australia Day, my dear friend... 🍷💫

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #8

#2
Thanks for reading, and for listening, Emilia.

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #7

#1
Hoping that soon we'll have an Australian Republic Day also, Devesh.

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #6

And also Sara Jacobovici.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #5

Glad to join you Ken! I'll raise a glass this evening in your honour. (Notice the correct spelling of honour).

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #4

Ken Boddie Happy Australia Day Ken! "I come from a land down under Where beer does flow and men chunder Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder? You better run, you better take cover."

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #3

Please also join me on Australia Day Javier \ud83d\udc1d beBee.

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #2

Please join me on Australia's national day Dean Owen.

Devesh 🐝 Bhatt

7 years ago #1

Have a blessed year. Republic Day here in India

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