Bank on It!

WATERY WEDNESDAY
http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/

BANK ON IT!

The Yarra isn't bountiful, the Yarra isn't wide;

It's really quite industrial, with buildings on each side,

But, as it flows through Melbourne, it allows a breathing space,

A quiet little corner, a pleasant slower pace.

It's here the rowers come each day, all feathering their oars,

Sometimes in crews quite numerous, and, sometimes, only fours.

The river's lined with boat-sheds, attractive buildings too,

Each of them assigned, it seems, to one particular crew.

The Yarra isn't bountiful, the Yarra isn't large,

But it is very pleasant to sit there and re-charge.

The citizens of Melbourne are happy and give thanks

Because the Yarra River has such very pleasant banks.

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Melbourne University boat-shed.

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The Bogey Hole. Newcastle. 

BOGEY MAN!

Today we'd call this man a jerk!

A really nasty piece of work!

A soldier with a very cruel mentality.

His victims came here on a cruise

(Without the parties and the booze)

And all they found was dastardly brutality.

His name was Major Morisset,

A name remembered even yet,

And they were Convicts mired up in his jails.

In Newcastle he had his way.

Cursed were those who had to stay

Under his thumb in old-time New South Wales.

One day, while strolling by the sea

He thought 'It would be good for me

To have a private pool that I could use.

These waves are rather high and rough

They're just not quiet and calm enough.

A pool cut in the rocks, that's what I'd choose.'

So he chose a platform made of stone

Where he could bathe and swim alone,

And the convicts came with axes and with picks.

In a line he made them stand,

With implements that came to hand,

Some made for hoeing ground or cutting bricks.

The rocks were hard, the men were weak,

And feeble was their whole technique;

But Major Morisset brooked no denial.

He had men whipped when they were slow;

The hole began to spread and grow,

He saw that he would soon relax in style.

And now we see this crystal pool

Looking inviting, deep and cool,

And we view it as a touristy attraction.

Forgetting that men toiled and bled,

And many of them dropped down dead,

Just to give one tyrant satisfaction.

It's known now as The Bogey Hole

Memorial to many a soul

Who suffered under Major Morisset.

Those convicts live in memory

Here, in our city by the sea.

We owe them all a deep and lasting debt.

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