Once a jolly swagman. Statue of a seated swagman at Winton commemorating the Waltzing Matilda song composed by Banjo Paterson, June 1966. From the Bowen Independent, Friday August 1940: Waltzing Matilda. 200446267?searchTerm=waltzing matilda winton&searchLimits= ) WRITTEN IN WINTON DISTRICT. Waltzing Matilda which has come into the front like of war songs in England has a romantic Queensland background. Banjo Paterson was inspired to set down the verses of what has been described as Australia's unofficial national anthem while on holiday at Dagworth Station in the Winton district. It
Once a jolly swagman. Statue of a seated swagman at Winton commemorating the Waltzing Matilda song composed by Banjo Paterson, June 1966. From the Bowen Independent, Friday August 1940: Waltzing Matilda. 200446267?searchTerm=waltzing matilda winton&searchLimits= ) WRITTEN IN WINTON DISTRICT. Waltzing Matilda which has come into the front like of war songs in England has a romantic Queensland background. Banjo Paterson was inspired to set down the verses of what has been described as Australia's unofficial national anthem while on holiday at Dagworth Station in the Winton district. It is claimed to have been sung first in the North Gregory Hotel, Winton. The present owner of the hotel, Mr. T. J. Shanahan, who is chairman of Winton Shire Council, and who has been in Brisbane for the Local Authorities' Conference told the story on Sunday. Paterson's verse, he said, was based on actual happenings at the MacPherson holding at Dagworth. Bob MacPherson was a fine character and he was always very good to swagmen said Mr. Shanahan. But on one occasion a swagman came for provisions and when offered mutton said that he did not want it. MacPherson found later that this swagman had killed a sheep at a billabong, and he was so annoyed that he reported it to the police. WRITTEN IN BUGGY. The incident amused Paterson, then staying at the station, and he composed the words of what was to become Waltzing Matilda on a 80-mile buggy trip with MacPherson and Jack Lawson (now a drover in the Winton district) from Dagworth to Winton. On the way a swagman was seen coming along carrying a water bag. MacPherson said: I don't know what they call it down in your country, but out here they call it leading the water bag, or waltzing matilda. Thus, Waltzing Matilda. It is reported that it was sung in the hotel that night. However, it is claimed also, that it was sung first in the home of Mrs. M. G. Riley, now president of the Winton branch of the Country Women's Association.
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Photo credit: © QS Archive / Alamy / Afripics
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Keywords: 1960s, archival, archive, archives, australia, australian, banjo, collection, historic, historical, history, image, matilda, paterson, photo, queensland, reference, state, statue, vintage, waltzing, winton
