
Image: Property of Marie Vonow
In the last century
After the Second World War,
Many English migrants
Came to Australia’s shore,
They came to ‘the new country’
Looking for a better way to live,
They were curious to see
Just what Australia had to give.
With their dreams about Oz,
Those singles, marrieds and ‘nippers,’
Turned their backs on council flats,
Warm beer, snow and kippers,
Packed their cases,
Said goodbye to ‘the old country’,
Clambered on board a ship
And set out across the sea.
At the end of the long voyage,
Which took several weeks,
They sighted their new homeland
With its deserts, hills and creeks,
They had left behind
A country of snow, ice and sleet,
Many weren’t ready
For Australia’s summer heat.
Most loved all the months
Of sunshine and blue skies,
The sandy beaches and picnics,
But not those darned blowflies,
Some folk fitted in quickly,
For others it took a longer time,
To adjust to Australia
With its different ways and clime.