Waltzing Matilda

Just like in Edinburgh, I found the workers in Melbourne showing great dedication in their work (profession), (i.e. if and when they decided to work). In Edinburgh, (whilst gazing out my window between my preparation for my exams), I was particularly impressed to see how the sanitation department employees, i.e. rubbish collectors, actually placed the lid back on after disposing off the garbage and also putting back the bin at its designated place. This is a far cry from what we have in Malaysia, where blue collar workers of crony owned companies originating from third world countries of the lowest rung of the ladder trying to impart their brand of work ethics here. Evidence of the garbage truck having done their round need not be guessed as it and its workers would have left an apparent trail of evidence - bits of trash strewn around, garbage bins and lids all over and 'aroma' from leachete left dripping from the truck to deodorize the Taman!

Over Great Ocean Rd

In that aspect, I was totally taken by the enthusiasm shown by a Greyline tour bus operator, Daryll, who took us on trip along the Great Ocean Road off Melbourne. Carrying a passenger load of 60, he single-handedly swerved along the winding coastal road whilst giving a complete running commentary all along, stopping at selected photo shoot areas, doing a head count after passenger alighted the bus after each stop, and even preparing Aussie tea with eucalyptus leaves for morning tea. And the best part is his commentary was not just for the sake of imparting information. It was laced with clever witty lines with lots of historical and even medical stuff that a Malaysian would not expect his average bus driver to know. He was narrating about the construction of the coastal road (Great Ocean Road). At a time when economy was down just after the first World War, many disillusioned Australian soldiers returned with what would be termed today as post traumatic stress (I did not expect this from a non-medical personnel). To stimulate the economy, this soldiers were sent off to work on the great roads. The evening gathering over the fire and catharsis provided a kind of group therapy to these sufferers. Of course, this story was laced with many funny anecdotes and smart remarks to last over 1hour. In between his story he would interrupt with information of sunken ships and the events that led to its sinking, about somebody's grave, how it was supposed to be relocated but the road went on his grave anyway, about the Twelve apostles and so on and so forth.

Twelve Apostles?

On the way back from the 12 apostles was time for dissemination of Australian culture. Before screening an Australian movie on the bus TV, he gave a 1 hour rendition of his interpretation of the truly Aussie song- Waltzing Matilda. Let me try to recall... (with Daryll's comment beside the lyrics)


Lyrics to Waltzing Matilda :Banjo Paterson

Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong
Under the shade of a coolibah tree
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me

Banjo Paterson's real name was Andrew Barton Paterson. He decided to change to Banjo Paterson as probably with a name like Andrew Barton it made an easy prey for his mates to bully him off his lunch box! Swagman is a travelling odd job helper in farm, like a rolling stone. He sat by a river (billabong), under a shady coolibah tree (native Aussie tree) singing while waiting for his kettle (billy) to come to boil. That is when he thought of a young maiden who actually cared for him many years when she finally married off to a rich land owner. He would always think of the warm dance (waltz) with his dear Matilda.

Down came a jumbuck to drink at the billabong
Up got the swaggie and grabbed him with glee
And he sang as he stowed that jumbuck in his tucker-bag
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me

Along came a sheep (jumbuck) for a drink. Our hero happily pounced on the prey and put in to his knapsack (tucker-bag)
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me
And he sang as he stowed that jumbuck in his tucker-bag
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me

In another scene, a landlord come back home after a hard at work. He asked his wife the most common three words uttered by any hot blooded Australian man, "What's for dinner?!". The wife half heartedly replied, "As if you don't already know, we always have baked beef on Thursdays!". The man said, "But, I smell roast lamb! Are you not fooling me?" The landlord then knew the somebody had been feasting on his sheep. He jumped on his majestic horse, called in the local police (3 of them) and located our hero. "What's that in your haversack? You have come with me to jail" said the Sheriff.

Down came the squatter mounted on his thoroughbred
Up came the troopers One Two Three
Who's the jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker-bag?
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me
Who's the jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker-bag?
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me.
Up got the swaggie and jumped into the billabong
You'll never catch me alive said he
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me
In those rowdy early days of Australia, one would be hanged for stealing somebody else's animal. So our hero, in order to escape the police, he jumped into the river and drowned. His ghost, it seems still haunts the river. He can heard heard dancing the waltz with his pretty Matilda.

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me.

That speaks so much about the level of dedication and pride shown by tourist guides in Australia (or at least Daryll of the Grayline). At the end of the journey, he quipped, "I have left some feedback forms for you to fill and my name is Daryll spelt with a double 'L', just like in the word excellent!"
A 10 hour journey well spent...

 

Southern Cross station after dark

Near Etihad Stadium

Overgrowth down under

Rememberance Park St Kilda Rd

Oz contribution in Emergency

@ Spencer St

Over Yarra River