AB ‘Banjo’ Paterson Celebration

Banjo was an Old Sydneian and clearly held onto the spirit and ideals promoted by the School as a poet and later on, the recognised voice of Australia. This is what the evening (Thursday 15 February) celebrated with different musical versions of Waltzing Matilda played by the School Choir (the Queensland version by Ian Cooper) and a String Quartet to round off the evening playing an arrangement by Stephan Koncz. Dr Richard Malpass read an article from a historic Sydneian written by the outgoing Chairman of Trustees, Emeritus Professor Richard Henry AM when he was in Form V. Such is the power of Banjo to relate to generations across time. Dr Alexander Stevens read three poems that encapsulated the depth and breadth of Banjo’s vision ending with the very funny Mulga Bill’s Bicycle. The guest of honour was Mr Alistair Campbell, Banjo’s great-grandson who spoke with personal knowledge about the full life Banjo led from his travels in Egypt, Europe, and the Philippines, to his friendship with Rudyard Kipling and his recognised accolades, such as a CBE. Mr Campbell’s magnificent book about his famous ancestor is available to borrow from the Library. A visual display was also screened; voiced by Mr James Barkell (OS 1963) who is partly responsible for the naming of our Library. 

Banjo has been honoured in Australia with his famous works such as Waltzing Matilda and Clancy of the Overflow commemorated on stamps, and his portrait on the $10 note. In addition, the words of Waltzing Matilda have been sent out into space and even appear in the holograms on recent Australian passports. No other poet has such a wide reach over so many different areas. To honour this illustrious alumnus the Library has artworks installed on the walls of the foyer with a silhouette of the Man From Snowy River and the first verse of Waltzing Matilda, as well as his signature across a central beam. There are also displays of his life and some precious items in a glass vitrine that display aspects of his rich and varied life. There are items temporarily available to be viewed from the Banjo Paterson Museum in Yeoval, on loan from the Curator, Mr Alf Cantrell. Have a look as you sit in the beautiful space to read or simply enjoy the area. It was in this School that Banjo’s vision was first moulded, and you are now the custodians of his legacy. Many of you will go on to do important things in future and no doubt you will remember your Schooldays as Banjo did his, in the poem Old Schooldays, published in TheSydneian of 1907, which mentions Grammar specifically. The evening tribute was a single night of celebration, but Banjo’s legacy is evergreen.