ISSUE 11 - SEPTEMBER 2009 THE WAYFARER

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE ADAM LINDSAY GORDON COMMEMORATIVE COMMITTEE INC.

‘RODE TO KILL HIMSELF’: THE PERSONAL INSIDE THIS ISSUE: RECOLLECTIONS OF WILLIAM BRAZENOR

PARTNERS IN 2 CRIME: CLARKE eminiscences of Adam close to the showgrounds. AND GORDON Lindsay Gordon were Some of the old trees that few, but popularly were about his cottage are ‘RODE TO KILL 2 R HIMSELF’: THE reported in the press. Trainor, there still… PERSONAL Stockdale, Vaughan and Locke RECOLLECTIONS ‘Gordon was a reckless rider. OF WILLIAM all gave interesting insights B R A Z E N O R We always used to say that he ...CONTINUED into the Gordon they knew. rode to break his neck. I The reminiscences of William ELIZABETH LAUDER 3 remember on one occasion he AND GORDON’S Brazenor covers Gordon’s time W H I P rode for a jump at a corner of a in ; fence, and had to pass A LONE VOICE: 3 between the rails and a big GORDON AND “Mr. William Brazenor, a well- WESTMINSTER tree just at the take off. The known Ballarat identity...is one “Gordon always A B B E Y mare he was riding, a black of the few men living who POLICEMAN, 4 one, landed him in the road, gave me the HORSEMAN, knew Adam Lindsay Gordon. POLITICIAN AND and he broke some of his The ill-fated poet’s Ballarat idea that he had F R I E N D fingers… days are not very fertile of got out of his THE ADAM LINDSAY 4 anecdote in any of the ‘Gordon always gave me the GORDON GRAVE place in the RESTORATION published biographies of idea that he had got out of his A P P E A L Gordon. Mr. Brazenor’s place in the world, and was world, and was S S ADMELLA : 4 mixing with people who were 150TH reminiscences reveal him as a mixing with ANNIVERSARY melancholy, hard-riding man, not of his class. He had the people who were silent, except in the company look of a man who had lost of stable-lads, with whom he himself. He was tall, with very not of his class. ) apparently talked about long legs, and used to sit with He had the look horses. Not a word about his read right over his horse’s ISSN 1834-4070 of a man who ISSN 1834-4089 poetry ever fell from his lips, neck. And when he jumped he www.psrs.biz though it was suspected that had a most peculiar habit of had lost himself” tion ( tion THE ADAM LINDSAY throwing himself back till his G O R D O N he harboured the muse by two COMMEMORATIVE or three who rode with him in head almost touched his COMMITTEE INC. the hunt club horses’s flank. And that (A0049425F) reminds me. I went out with ‘He was a man,’ said Mr. him one day on a very clever PO Box 158 Brazenor, ‘I never could make horse I had, called Skylark. I FLINDERS LANE VIC 8009 out. He was in no way a talked to him on the way, but sociable man; far from it. He didn’t get much out of him in and Harry Mount were Phone: (+61 3) 5261 2899 reply. He was always like partners, and had their livery that—would ride silently [email protected] stables at Craig’s Hotel. He www.adamlindsaygordon.org (Continued on page 2) was living round on the lake, A Publishing Solutions and Research Services produc Services Research and Solutions Publishing A THE WAYFARER Page 2

REMEMBERING GORDON AND CLARKE

t awaits another issue of greatly interested in being Parliamentary days were The Wayfarer on the shown the corner in the old pointed out to Miss Clarke by I exploits of Assembly Chamber where Mr. Fred Johns, who is and his partner in crime, the poet Adam Lindsay fortunate in having for Adam Lindsay Gordon. This Gordon sat in the sixties, publication among his article from The Advertiser is before he took up his biographical memoirs the shows the enduring residence in , and manuscript of a sketch of relationship the two literature became the friend of her Marcus Clarke specially giants had; father. Marcus Clarke made written for the Australian the acquaintance of the poet biographer by George “Miss Marian Marcus Clarke, at the old Yorick Club Gordon McCrae, and daughter of the novelist, (Melbourne). The novelist intimate of Australia’s visited Parliament House formed a warm affection for greatest novelist, and the () on Tuesday the poet, and they were last survivor of the notable afternoon, and was much together. No one more Melbournian circle which introduced to the Speaker deeply mourned Gordon’s made the beginnings of (Hon. F. W. Coneybeer), who tragic end than Clarke, as in the (above) Marcus Clarke in 1874 aged 28 conducted the lady over the was shown by the eloquent sixties”. (Courtesy www.abc.net.au) legislative halls. Miss Clarke, and sympathetic edition of (Source: The Advertiser 31 May who was introduced to his collected poems. The 1916 p6) several members, was scenes of Gordon’s

‘RODE TO KILL HIMSELF’: THE PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS OF WILLIAM BRAZENOR...CONTINUED

(Continued from page 1) than do a thing like that.’ I Leonard, and myself. I had was a bit angry. ‘Damn it!’ I the pack afterwards, and alongside you for miles. said, ‘he’s a sensitive horse, sold it to Mr. Chirnside, at Gordon had called on me, and won’t stand moving just Werribee. There were no and asked me to go out that as you are coming up.’ foxes or hares in those days, morning, and, at his Without a word, Gordon went and I remember ‘blooding suggestion, we struck out back, unsaddled my horse, ‘em with kangaroo rats until “Well, we rode at over a new line of country for and I did the same with his. we got rabbits up from a fence, and the hunt. After a while he He got his saddle on quickly, Geelong.’ asked me to change horses. and I took my time. Suddenly Gordon moved, After about two years in I said that I would, my horse he was up and off. He came Ballarat, according to the as was his habit. was a very light-mouthed back at the fence, sitting recollections of Mr. Brazenor, horse. We changed saddles. perfectly upright, like a The horse two years in which he lost an My horse was very sensitive, soldier, and, taking it, turned baulked, and infant daughter, Gordon went and I always sat in the round at a gallop, and was to Melbourne. ‘I think he shot sideways, stirrups, never moving when out of my sight at once. I went to ride in the he [Skylark] was taking a never saw him again that and Gordon Steeplechase for Mr. Herbert fence. Well, we rode at a day. came over the Power, but I would not be fence, and Gordon moved, as ‘Yes; he was a fine rider; sure of that. It may have fence by was his habit. The horse would ride anything, and been Mr. Power’s brother. baulked, and shot sideways, himself” force it at a fence. But he Some few months afterwards and Gordon came over the always seemed lost, poor, we heard of his end. I fence by himself. I rode up unfortunate fellow. There suppose he got tired of it all”. and asked him where he was are only three of that hunt hurt. He said, ‘No, I’d rather (Source: The Argus 11 Oct 1913 club now—Mr. Stephen a horse fell through a fence p19) Holgate, Mr. William ISSUE 11 - SEPTEMBER 2009 Page 3

ELIZABETH LAUDER AND GORDON’S WHIP

eaders will recall about 19 [sic] years of age. dismounted the owner and that Elizabeth The whip is still in an a policeman were waiting R Lauder nee Bright excellent state of for him. The incident ended was responsible for planting preservation. It was made in Gordon being sent out to two wattle trees at Gordon’s from the raw hide obtained South Australia. That grave and who also from a wild bullock. Miss Gordon considered that he maintained the upkeep for Bright (Mrs. Lauder) was was harshly treated is seen many years. Lauder also had always the custodian of the in those lines to his sister:– in her possession some whip, as Gordon more “My parent bade me cross Gordon relicts and their frequently used a heavier the flood, (above) Gordon’s stockwhip whereabouts are unknown; one. (Brighton Historical Society Inc. My kindred frowned at me; Collection ) “Saturday was the fortieth To the Bright family Gordon They say I have belied my anniversary of the death of confided why he came to blood, the Australian poet, Adam leave Cotswold, England. He And stained my pedigree. “The whip is still in Lindsay Gordon. In was attending a military But I must turn from those an excellent state connection with this fact it is college, and often took part who chide, interesting to note that an in amateur race meetings. And laugh at those who of preservation. It old colonist, Mrs. Lauder, On one occasion his mount frown; was made from the residing at 3 Division-place, was made first favourite, and I cannot quench my raw hide obtained South Melbourne, is the his fellow students, or many stubborn pride. from a wild bullock. possessor of a stockwhip of them, had backed his Nor keep my spirit down.” which Gordon helped to horse. As the day of the Miss Bright (Mrs. Postscript: For someone make, and used, over 60 races drew nigh, the who had great affection for Lauder) was always years ago. He was assisted animal’s owner issued Gordon, amazingly on her the custodian of in the making of the whip by instructions that it was not to death on 14 April 1914, her John and Edward Bright, be taken out of the stable. the whip, as remains were interred in the brothers of Mrs. Lauder, Young Gordon was Gordon more Springvale NecropolisNecropolis————CofECofE upon whose father’s station disappointed, and, listening “M” Sect 10 Grave 16. frequently used a in the Long Desert, South to unwise counsel, took the heavier one” Australia, Gordon was horse from the stable, rode, (Source: The Argus 27 Jun employed, he being then and won the race. As he 1910 p7 & 15 Apr 1914 p9)

A LONE VOICE: GORDON AND

“Reasons why a memorial to and that he was the real history of Australia was in Adam Lindsay Gordon should interpreter of the spirit of the many aspects an epic of not be erected in nation. Gordon was not an heroism and sacrifice, but Westminster Abbey were Australian, either by birth or that epic would not be written advanced yesterday by Rev. sentiment. He was a lonely until a greater poet than WESTMINSTER ABBEY

John Mackenzie, of Toorak. exile in a land in which he Gordon had arisen. There The Adam Lindsay Gordon Mr. Mackenzie said that he could find no sure standing were already signs that Commemorative Committee regretted that the proposal ground. Over everything he Australian people were Inc. will be visiting Westmin- had been made, because it wrote there brooded a spirit becoming conscious of the ster Abbey in late October to would be misconstrued by of melancholy and poverty of the literary ideals commemorate Gordon and plans are underway for a nine out of 10 persons who frustration. In no sense could with which they had been wreath laying service visited the Abbey. It would be he be regarded as a great satisfied before the Great assumed that Gordon was poet or a true representative War.” (Source: The Argus 2 the greatest Australian poet, of the Australian spirit. The Aug 1933 p9) THE WAYFARER Page 4

POLICEMAN,UNSHRIVEN HORSEMAN, THE ADAM LINDSAY GORDON GRAVE POLITICIAN AND FRIEND RESTORATION APPEAL

by Merrilyn Crabbe who was the winner in The Adam Lindsay Gordon Open he Adam Lindsay Prize for unpublished poets at the FAW National Literary Awards Gordon Grave T Restoration Appeal is I perched on high in Gordon’s tree approaching the $7,000 mark And dreamed of times gone by with our target in sight. Of poets and princes and big JR Who lived in the house nearby. Thank you to everyone who donated to the Appeal Gordon was a wild young man A horseman to his bones especially the following: In policeman’s garb upon fiery beast Anglesea and District He galloped the dusty roads. Historical Society Inc. ($50), Penola town was his rural haunt Bruce Dite ($30), Chris The folk there knew his beat Millard, John McMichan ($25). At the whinny of steed and pound of hoof Out of his path they would leap. S S ADMELLA : 150TH ANNIVERSARY As State Trooper for two years he served in raging seas with little food and Then to horse breaking did aspire he S.S Admella was on no water. The thrill of the steeplechase and steed her way from Adelaide to Raced in his blood and spurred his fire. T Melbourne with a The 150th Commemoration of complement of 113 passengers the event is now over, but an To set the laws for town and country and crew when she was wrecked excellent record of the Young Adam folk did petition in the early hours of the 6 August catastrophe has been made on Elected to their State Assembly 1859, 150 years ago, on an DVD by Brenton Manser and may He represented his electorate with wisdom. uncharted reef, now called be ordered at: Striding the paths of North Terrace East Carpenters Reef near Millicent www.brentonmanser.com.au And the chambers of Parliament House (SA). The ship was carrying a The model depicted below was Old friend John Riddoch he did greet… number of horses on their way to made with a grant from The The hospitality of Yallum was extended. the Intercolonial race meeting in Australian Maritime Museum by While resting at Yallum Park homestead Melbourne. In the eight days Mr. Jones of the Port Gazing o’er paddocks from a tall white gum that it took to complete the MacDonnell district. Adam plied his poetic pen rescue, 89 people lost their lives Bush ballads and rhyme to create.

The Sick Stockrider and Ride from the Wreck Were all composed on high Balanced among the blossom and leaves Of that Gum ‘neath the Yallum sky.

History records Gordon’s rare skill With pen and pencil and verse Alas from those great heights His life fell into decline And an early death was his curse. TOUR OF BRIGHTON GENERAL CEMETERY

Adam Lindsay Gordon – Our final tour of the Brighton General Cemetery (Vic) for Policeman, horseman, politician and friend, 2009 will be held on Sunday 11 October at 10:30am . To whom our country owes much debt… ‘Adam Lindsay Gordon: His Life and Beyond’ is an insightful A poet and gentleman extraordinaire and informative tour featuring 11 subjects with links to the Lost in such an untimely death. life and legacy of Gordon. Bookings are essential. Cost is $5.00 (non-members $10.00) and includes refreshments So I perched on high in Gordon’s tree and a tour guide . For more information ring 03 5261 2899 To dream of times gone by or visit our website www.adamlindsaygordon.org/tours.htm. And ponder why such a talented life All proceeds goes towards Lived so briefly ‘neath the Yallum sky. The Adam Lindsay Gordon Grave Restoration Appeal.

© 2009 All rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted un- der the Copyright Act, no part of this newsletter may be reproduced without written permission. Requests should be made in writing addressed to the Secretary of The Adam Lindsay Gordon Commemorative Committee Inc.