ODE TO AUSTRALIA TO-DAY. Australia!

In that name is splendid sound Of promise, like the wind that calls the sun Out of the east to flood the ampler round Of a resplendent day. Wide dreams are spun Out of our dawning, as when young, clear soap Floods all the wash-tub of a laundrys hope. In the triumphant march of human mind We lead the progress of the growing years. Macartney1 bats: the leather round and kind Flies till a double century appears, And Emery2, replete with bowling tricks, Sways the lithe arm and scatters Englands sticks. Arnst3 sits upon the water in his might, And who shall pluck the laurels from his crown? Longworth4 amid green liquid puts to flight A thousand swimming men of swift renown; There is occasion for our pride and fuss When all except ourselves have missed the bus. Behold, we come! At our processions head A mob of gilded governors a-row Leads out our numerous Parliaments that spread Like drafted wethers on the plain below; Pouring their eloquence to sea and sky Our legislative thousands thunder by.

Charlie Macartney (1886-1958). Cricket player. Famed for his batting. He played mainly for New South Wales, but also played for Otago. His career began in 1907 and ended in 1926. 2 Sid Emery (1885-1967). A bowler who peaked early and played his only test the year this poem was published. 3 Richard Arnst (1883-1953). Although meant to typify Australian prowess here, Arnst was actually a New Zealander who began his career as a runner and a cyclist. In 1906 he switched to sculling despite a total lack of experience and by 1908 achieved the title of world champion. 4 William Longworth (1892-1969). Swimmer. Longworth competed in the 1912 Summer Olympic in Stockholm and qualified for the 100 meter freestyle finals but he was unable to take part in the race due to illness. Australia did see success in this race, however, with Cecil Healy taking second. Australia also dominated the womens freestyle event, with Fanny Durack and Mina Wylie taking first and second place respectively. Although they are considered to be two of the greatest female simmers of all time, David McKee Wright makes no mention of them in this poem.

Erect with ethic rage and moral spite, The long, attenuated Wowsers come, Trampling the rosy neck of young Delight, Till Mirth is sick and Laughter crushed and dumb; And hard behind them, armed with flask and cray, Our purple Bacchanals turn night to day. On, on! We march as nations march to fame In giddy circles such as statesmen choose, Ours is one hope, one dream, one splendid name One chance to win it and one risk to lose Ah, round we come with a triumphant shout Right to the place where first we started out! Australia! In that name is splendid sound Of promise, like a voice that calls swift beer Up from the ampler cask whose malten round Gladdens the circle of our hemisphere. On, on, still in! What fainting heart shall shun The corkscrew progress of our march begun?
Mary McCommonwealth (Pseudonym of David McKee Wright) N.S.W The Bulletin, 6th June 1912