Beaten by tempest and stormed by drift,
Steady I keep my post,
And laugh at the southern rollers long,
For I’m guard of the Southern Coast.
I watched the Dutchmen on their way,
In the days of long ago,
But they set no foot on my rocky shore,
Where the billows break in snow.
They gave me my name and sailed away,
And then the English came,
With their straining sails on their plunging ships,
And their flag flew out like flame.
The song appears in Appears in the publication: Voices of the Desert by Ernest Favenc. Published in London by Elliot Stock in 1905 selected work poetry page. 39
An e-book version was published by Project Gutenberg Australia in 2023
Author Ernest Favenc
Ernest Favenc (1845-1908) was a British-born explorer, journalist, and historian who made significant contributions to the exploration of Australia. After his arrival in Australia in 1864, Favenc worked on pastoral stations in North Queensland and became known for his bushcraft skills. He gained recognition for leading an expedition to Darwin in 1878-1879 to prove the feasibility of a transcontinental railway. Subsequently, he settled in Sydney, married, and worked for De Salis Bros. His historical work, “History of Australian Exploration 1788-1888,” received acclaim, and he authored several books. Despite his declining health, Favenc expressed a desire for more exploration but passed away in 1908. His legacy includes his writings that provide insights into the Australian inland and its history. Australian Dictionary of Biography
See also:
First Dutch contacts in Australia – Lower west coast – cape Leeuwin to Swan river 1658 – 1697
400 years ago Dutch ship Leeuwin encountered WA Coast – 1622 – Free journal
Cape Leewin Gable Stone in Amsterdam
Dutch Place Names in Australia
Marooned on Australia (Batavia) by Ernest Favenc
