We need Henry Lawson more than Ever

Henry Lawson remains one of Australia's most famous writers and his portrait was on our ten dollar note.

Source: http://latrobejournal.slv.vic.gov.au/latrobejournal/issue/latrobe-70/t1-g-t14.html

Henry Lawson (1867-1922) saw a hopeful, vibrant nation that showed respect for others, tolerance, equality, fair play and freedom as seen in this poem.

The Song of Australia - published in 1908

The centuries found me to nations unknown
My people have crowned me and made me a throne
My royal regalia is love, truth, and light
A girl called Australia – I've come to my right.

Though no fields of conquest grew red at my birth,
My dead were the noblest and bravest on earth
Their strong sons are worthy to stand with the best
My brave Overlanders ride west of the west.

My cities are seeking the clean and the right;
My Statesmen are speaking in London to-night
The voice of my Bushmen is heard oversea;
My army and navy are coming to me.

By all my grim headlands my flag is unfurled,
My artists and singers are charming the world
The White world shall know its young outpost with pride;
The fame of my poets goes ever more wide.

By old tow'r and steeple of nation grown grey
The name of my people is spreading to-day
Through all the old nations my learners go forth;
My youthful inventors are startling the north.

In spite of all Asia, and safe from her yet
Through wide Australasia my standards I'll set
A grand world and bright world to rise in an hour
The Wings of the White world, the Balance of Power.


Through storm, or serenely – whate'er I go through
God grant I be queenly! God grant I be true!
To suffer in silence, and strike at a sign,
Till all the fair islands of these seas are mine.


IMO Lawson would continue to speak about the Aussie Battler and also; aboriginals, sexuality, drugs, greed, corruption and self-serving politicians.

What would he assay about Moslems arriving at our shores?

I suspect he would welcome them with open arms, knowing the vast majority have the same dreams as most Australians.

We need Lawson to remind us of our values as a fair and tolerant nation whose people are prepared to fight and defend our cherished.
He would also speak of those with the courage to keep the door into Australia open.

I feel his poems and stories should be discussed in schools as knowledge of our past allows us to imagine and create a bright and hopeful future.

Just as Facebook, twitter and mind-numbing reality shows poison to the imagination of young and old, Lawson is an accessible antidote when negotiating with our fast- changing world.