The Man From Snowy River

If you attend that Horse Trek, you will also hear about some of the history in regards to the poem by Banjo Patterson and who is thought to have been "The Man From Snowy River".

I had a very enjoyable Trek with them last month, averaged 25km per day through some of the KNP.

Cheers Kev

I am not surprised the kids don't know anything about him.. Could you imaging a lesson about him in today's education system. It would be all about the damage the smoke from his camp fires did to the atmosphere. Then there would be the native grasses his horse ate and the erosion its hoofs caused. We are rapidly going mad in this country.

Hi Michelle,
Thanks for sharing.......
Isn’t the ‘edit’ function great!......sorry just had to throw that in!

I first saw the film "The Man from Snowy River" in a cinema in Sydney when it was first released. It was the only film I have ever seen where the audience applauded as the credits rolled through. No-one left until the credits ended. A fantastic film - I must dig out a copy from somewhere and watch it again.

Maybe you would enjoy some of it to music then.
http://www.wallisandmatilda.com.au/

Wonderful, Michelle, thanks for finding that.

Doesn't Jack Thompson do a fabulous rendition of the poem!

I have a book of Banjo's poems in my travel kit. It comes out around the campfire occasionally and we all do a bit of a reading. We're not quite as good as Jack, unfortunately, but it's fun. My favourites - Man From Snowy River, Clancy of the Overflow, The Man From Ironbark, Mulga Bill's Bicycle

"Kids today!"..Pfft ... - was just having a conversation with a friend about having an unbelievable "Deliverance" type experience in the mountains on the South East NSW coast back in the 70s. Long Story - Had to include a clip of "Duelling Banjos" and had "squeal like a pig" on standby...just to educate enough to give the story cultural historic significance... but I detract.

Thanks Michelle - yes The Man from Snowy River is an Iconic Australian story both in film and writing.

Donna and I had the theme from The Man From Snowy River played, as we walked into our wedding reception' by London Concert pianist June Loxton - much to her disgust as she felt (for her) there were far more deserving pieces suited to her talents. But for us it was the topping on a perfect day and a reflection of our true spirits.
We both spent considerable time up near where the movie was filmed - the memories stay with you forever.
Needless to say its been part of our lives always.

Another excellent Australian movie you will find kids (and any true blue aussie of any age) will love is "The Silver Brumby" - also set in the high country but also explores the magic of the area and the intuition you develop when you "truely know" the land.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Silver_Brumby_(1993_film)

The Silver Brumby Books by Elyne Mitchell are also excellent for horsie people.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Brumby#Silver_Brumby_books,_in_order_of_publication

Lets not forget Henry Lawson also.
I remember reading this story to the kids when they were little.

"The Loaded Dog"

http://alldownunder.com/australian-authors/henry-lawson/loaded-dog.htm

We literally were rolling on the floor in tears laughing - helped that we have owned a few fool dogs over the time...(Oh....and knew a cockie who blew old stumps out and cleared his old bores with a slight "charge")

Michelle ,you may be interested to know that the town of Corryong each year holds a Man from Snowy River Festival which celebrates all things about the man from snowy river including a live re-enactment of Banjo,s poem It is a truly amazing weekend with the whole townsfolk supporting the weekend I suggest a visit to their website is very worthwhile Regardsjohn y

Craig’s Hut on the top of Mount Stirling in Victoria was built as a film set for The Man from Snowy River. Although it burnt down in bushfires it has been rebuilt and can be visited by 4WD. It is in a magnificent location.

The hut built for the Silver Brumby films is located at Mount Hotham in Victoria. It is not possible to drive to the hut. It is now part of The Huts Walk at Mount Hotham.

Hi Michelle
Can I mention the wonderful annual Man From Snowy River Bush Festival held in Corryong where Jack Riley, claimed to be The Man, is buried? We have been quite a few times. It's a celebration of High Country horseman- and- women- ship (gee, we have to be careful nowadays!). There's a reenactment of Banjo's poem. Our grandkids came last year and were rapt. Go to https://www.bushfestival.com.au/

As someone who recites bush poetry, I can tell you it’s not just Australian kids who don’t know the story of the Man from Snowy River, or even the existence of the poem or the movie.

I regularly recite to groups ranging from Rotarians and Toastmasters to visiting businessmen, old folks and school kids, and am often astonished that no one in the audience has ever heard Paterson’s A Bush Christening, The Man from Ironbark (or Snowy River), The Geebung Polo Club, or O’Brien’s Said Hanrahan, Around the Boree Log, Ownerless (one of our great war poems), or Lawson’s The Ballad of the Drover, Andy’s Gone With Cattle, The Fire at Ross’s Farm, etc etc.

People are just amazed that this genre of Australian literature exists and are enthralled and delighted by it. Bringing it to Australians is one of my great pleasures in life.