The following poem is written by an anonymous soldier from Olinda who went under the pen name ‘Aussie’ and sent it to The Lilydale Express to be published –

THE VERY BEST LAND IN THE WORLD 

I have done my duty in death’s narrows trait,
And proud am I that I have shown my worth,
How little it may be, and now I wait,
To go home to the finest spot on earth. 

Yes! I wan’t to be back in Australia
Now the red flag of war is unfurl’d,
Stow rifle and kit, having done my bit
For the best Land in the world! 

I know the land of my father,
And mother and all their forbears,
I’ve a soft spot for France but I’d rather
Be back where the Eucalypt bares
Its leaves to the glorious sunlight,
Where the magpie warbles its strain,
In coming I feel that I’ve done right
Now I long to move southward again. 

Yes! I want to be back in Australia,
Where the cross of the south is impearl’d
In skies that are clear the whole of the year,
In the very best Land in the world! 

I give thanks to the Father Almighty
Who rewardeth the spirit that waits;
I am proud of the men of Old Blighty,
But I’m prouder still of my mates;
Yes! I want to be back in Australia
With them and the friends who arecurl’d,
Round my heart like the vine
round that thee; hold of mine.
In the very best Home in the world!