End of an Era

The 170-year tradition of grazing cattle in Victoria’s high country is over according to the Victorian Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis. In a press release last Friday he said, “In one fell swoop, the Bracks Government this afternoon successfully displaced generations of mountain cattlemen and their families, simultaneously erasing an essential part of Australia’s heritage.”

The day before, on Thursday 16th June, I received the following poem from Duane L Langley.

It was dark and cool in the vast of night when God decided now to strike
From within the dense and massive clouds he threw his multiple lightening pike
It hit the ground with blinding speed and sought the tinder bush
The searing heat completed it’s feat and the flames headed North with a push

The stockman astride his well worn saddle saw this display of might
The sparks they flew from his horse’s shoe as he pounded down through the night
He knew at once that he must ride hard to his mates at camp below
At the camp he reined in hard and fast, with “fire!” being his only bellow

The stockmen knew what they had to do as they climbed their mountain steeds
They raced as a group on back to the coop where the cattle had had their last feed
Two thousand head were soon being led to a two mile wide burnt scree
For it was hear that the land had been burnt as a plan for needs be the animals can flee

With the smoke and the sparks filling the air from the South the cattle were again on the move
For the flames were high on the ever glowing sky, but the cattlemen were now in a groove
They cracked their whips with lightening speed and drove their charges to flee
By mornings light by way of their flight they were all in the lea of the scree

For here the grass was green and lush and fire was stopped in it’s tracks
The cattle were safe and horses relieved as the mountain men alighted their backs
All around wildlife roamed, safe from the wild red steer
Thanks to man and his managing hand, the fire was no longer a fear

2003 came another lightening spree, but the cattlemen were no where to be found
The wildlife headed again to the scree where safety and sanctuary abound
But a sign here stood from a greenie hood that lambasted the Mountain man caste
Wilderness area is now proclaimed for this spot so damaged in the past

As the animals read with a feeling of dread, the sign from modern man
They mourned the day that had passed their way, of the man with the management plan
They hunkered down, too tired to hop, knowing that all was lost
Their last thoughts as they burnt to death, where’s the Mountain man, oh! what cost