2 minute read
A MALLEE SANCTUARY
Deeply encircled by this arid land, There is a lonely, blue, breeze-shadowed lake, Where ripples dance with sunlight to a band Of bird-calls. Ringed by ancient gums that slake
Their summer thirst at its cool brink and stand
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Untired by centuries, its depths provide A sanctuary where dabbling cygnets play Untroubled and their graceful elders glide
In sombre dignity. Passing each day
To restless towns, the silver ‘planes flash high, Leaving unsullied by their droning flight
A peace for which the worried world might sigh. Blue ripples darken and a distant bight
Glows golden as the lengthening sunbeams lie Athwart its ragged gums. As day greets night With dusky fingers, stately swans drift by To reedy nests and soon a cold, white moon
Slips from the grasping scrub to clear the sky And keeps her watch above a still lagoon.
Source: Mallee Days and Mallee Ways, a typed and hand-bound compilation of Eileen Ramsay’s stories and poems, a gift to John Plant in 1954. Unique item, given to the artist by John Plant’s widow, Helen.
Outing, Sunraysia Field Naturalist Club, 1958
Source John Plant’s 35mm slide collection
Given to the artist by his widow, Helen
15 To John
Eileen Ramsay’s front-page dedication to her friend and ‘cobber’ John Plant, in Mallee Days and Mallee Ways, a typed and hand-bound compilation of her stories and poems. Eileen presented the book to John on his departure for England in 1954.
The concept for the book is an art exhibition in which Eileen describes to John a gallery full of paintings, each one a word picture of moments or scenes shared and treasured in their beloved Mallee.
If you feel blue and home seems far away, Glance through these mem’ries of an earlier day. Time will reverse his steps and take you back To where the Mallee blooms along the track; Where midget orchids watch the lowans pass, Quietly elusive, through the scrub and grass; Under green arches of long-flooded trees; Beside blue Hattah, shadowed by a breeze, Where stately black swan, curious and slow, Keep watch and ward on all who come and go; Watch once again the emu and the ‘roo Slip silent through the scrub and out of view; The smiling faces round a picnic meal, Their cheerful talk and planning. Can you feel They will forget you? Though you’re not far away, Always they hope you’ll come back home – to stay. Lift up your head. See how the mallee [sic.] spills Its tinted leaves across the sunlit hills. Look back, look back on these and you will know Your Mallee – friends – and kin, go where you go.
[Handwritten] Always our friend, E Ramsay
June 1954
[Handwritten] Poa Drummondiana Shaking grass (specimen attached)
VICFLORA ref: https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/flora/taxon/8da7e5d5-bea4-4452-82b4-0bb63d916c76
Source:
Mallee Days and Mallee Ways, a typed and hand-bound compilation of Eileen Ramsay’s stories and poems, a gift to John Plant in 1954. Unique item, given to the artist by John Plant’s widow, Helen
16
Rare photograph of Eileen Ramsay and friends
……found in her compendium Mallee Days and Mallee Ways
Source: Mallee Days and Mallee Ways, a typed and hand-bound compilation of Eileen Ramsay’s stories and poems, a gift to John Plant in 1954. Unique item, given to the artist by John Plant’s widow, Helen
