Ronald Beswick Blogspot

  The Macedon The Macedon was a ship that sailed on the Australian coast for over 20 years. In 1986 Howard Smiths sold the vessel and the crew went elsewhere if they didn't retire. Built in 1957 at Papenburg West Germany she had two sister ships. The Macedon was about 96 metres long and about 13 meters wide. Accommodation was midships and the crew had their own cabin, but the shower was communal. There was a spiral staircase that was responsible for accidents. In the Galley they used was an oil fired stove until a relieving cook blew it up! It had to be replaced by an electric one which made the permanent cooks very happy. Imperial Chemical Industries of Australia and New Zealand chartered the ship after it was commissioned. I believe this was in 1963 but it could have been earlier. The ship carried Potash from Port Adelaide to Glebe Island in Sydney. The ship had no bar, and the crew would make their way to various local watering holes if home wasn't nearby. Glebe I...

  The CFMEU are in the news for the wrong reason again. I’ve not been following what's going on but I know there must be more to the story than what I've been hearing. I was a member of the Textile Workers Union, Federated Liquor and Allied Industries Employees' Union, and the Federated Ironworker’s Association before I entered the Maritime Industry. When I entered the Maritime Industry I joined the Marine Cooks, Bakers and Butchers' Association of Australia. In 1983 we amalgamated with the Seamen's Union of Australia and in 1988 amalgamated with the Federated Marine Stewards' and Pantrymen's Association of Australasia. In 1991 we amalgamated with the Professional Diver's Association and in 1993 we amalgamated with the Waterside Workers' Federation to become the Maritime Union of Australia. Also known as the MUA! In 1999 I resigned from the union and no longer worked for an employer. I had some health issues at the time plus I was involved in a co...

 I changed a few words to make it easier to perform. I could make some more changes. Truckie or Trucker? ON THE WAY TO MULLUMBIMBY Camped by the roadside the hitch hiker fell asleep trying to get a lift to Mullumbimby A truck pulled over it started to rain the driver was drowsy and desperate for coffee He woke the hitch hiker who's name was Norm and he was from Newcastle South With a black T shirt dirty boots Norm the hitch hiker had a big mouth Never know who you'll meet Could be a scruffy or someone neat On the way to Mullumbimby You stop here and stop there Step on a snake so beware On the way to Mullumbimby The trucker hoped to get advice with an addiction he was craving for a flat white He stepped out the truck to say G-day Norm grabbed his bag after a long night He knew a place been on this road before he showed the trucker where to stop The trucker got vibes as he pulled up at the cafe next door to a crop Never know who you'll meet Could...

  NAMBUCCA HEADS IS A PEARL IN THE GROUND Timber Getters arrived with prosperous thoughts Indigenous Folks didn't let them starve Then the Scottish Migrants bought their wisdom Before a highway delivered tourist charm Banana Growers set a trend that's almost gone Now they struggle in a competing market But the oysters look good served natural Thirsty Folks giggle over a casket If Heaven was above I'd rather stay here Nambucca Heads has the atmosphere This place is too good just look around Nambucca Heads is a pearl in the ground The rhythm of waves and the sound of the wind Delivers a magical vibe to feel Overlooking the ocean from the Headland hall Whale watchers claim they can heal Chemistry of joy alarms those on duty Attracting dolphins that cruise the river Where oyster beds decorate the rocky shores making it an easy choice for dinner If Heaven was above I'd rather stay here Nambucca Heads has the atmosphere This place is t...

 This also goes back to 2010 and I may have entered it in the Your Town Your Song competition. I've never played this but it would not be hard. I also plagiarized one of my early songs called "Santa Rides a Moped." to perform it. NAMBUCCA HEADS ESTUARY It's the holiday season and nobody is freezin' Nambucca Heads is in the sun Tourist everywhere and lovely fresh air Everybody's having so much fun A river filled with fish, Oysters make a wish Banana Pancakes are alright Friendly folks smile, play golf on the Isle With a fishermen's appetite I'm happy! Surrounded by this gorgeous scenery Never a moment gets dull Just look at the seagulls At the Nambucca Heads estuary When I first arrived, I was feeling tired From driving on highway one They were welcoming guest, North south and west The Resort was so much fun I'm telling you, their were crabs on the barbecue We were all singin' along I met a fella called Errol and...

 This was written in 2010 and may have been entered in Your Town Your Song competition. NAMBUCCA HEADS DOES EXIST Many years ago I moved to the country To get away from concrete and smog I lived in the city with hustle and bustle Enough to drive one/a man to grog This place is for me I can look out to a beautiful sea A coastal Town with a river and an estuary Nambucca Heads is where I cruise Five horse power definitely no booze Nambucca Heads does exist Paradise that you can't resist Many birds flock they love the country Just like me and my flash guitar I walk in the scrub with fresh air to breathe And I've got a second hand car This place is for me You can get to the sea Mullet au citron is a choice for tea Nambucca Heads is number one Visitors everywhere having lots of fun Nambucca Heads does exist Paradise that you can't resist Ship building was once an industry In this town you wouldn't believe The Royal Tar was a famous barque Built...

 This goes back to 2010 and is inspired by two of my mates Les and Dave. I put it together to quick and I'd need to make changes if I record it.   RETURNING TO TAYLORS ARM Dave departed Central, on the Casino bound train He'd been travellin', now he's going home Macksvilles where he'll stop, after dark he'll be met Katrina is his friend, Taylors Arm is his home He looks forward to arriving, at the tiny local pub A Thirsty Dave will order, a light beer or two Time to tell some stories, adventures from his heart Les can't wait to hear, his mates voice over a brew It's been a long shift A few words won't do any harm Some minds are adrift Returning to Taylors Arm As he sat in the aisle, of an almost empty carriage Doin' some thinkin', over a railway pie With no one beside him, bags by his feet Chance for a snooze, and wake at Uangai With eyes wide open the lights are on Coffee being served, Sun is setting Hands in his...

 This may have also been entered in Your Town Your Song competition in 2010. I'd re write this if I want to record it! SWANSEA IS AN ANGLERS CALL Captain Reid made a mistake, or maybe he had too much Rum He steered off his course, Swansea Heads would beat his drum They found a bit of coal, got their shovels and dug deep Witchetty grubs and Funnel Webs, they put the crew of to sleep Now they call it Swansea Entrance to Lake Macquarie Where Yachts race for glory And Fisherman catch a John Dory You can sit and watch the channel Where Pelicans look peaceful Tourist buy bait and tackle Swansea is an anglers call They like a game of snooker, and Schooners filled with beer Surf talk is talk is the language, Eddie Charlton came from here You might think it's a suburb, I'd argue if I really must They once had an industry, Boat Building was the crust The place is called Swansea, Entrance to Lake Macquarie Where Yachts race for glory And Fisherman cat...

 This also goes back to 2010 and I believe I entered it in the Your Town Your Song competition.  I TOOK OF MY HAT IN BOWRAVILLE (Under the awning) The moment I arrived in Bowraville, I felt the presence of a ghost Connecting me to an adventure, when leaning on the Veranda post She guided me around safely, I knew she didn't mean harm A friendly ghost nobody can see, I toughed her with my charm So I took of my hat And danced around the street Local folks had a laugh In Bowraville's main street A restored theater cafe, is now serving delicious ice cream Looking for a cast, Mid Summer Nights dream I'd seen a concert pianist do, an amazing show Then someone tried to organise, a country music disco So I took of my hat And danced around the street Local folks had a laugh In Bowraville's main street I've got to like Bowraville, a town in New South Wales Where footballers win our hearts, and share amazing tales The Timber Getters and Ban...

 this goes back to 2010 and I may have also entered the your town your song competition. GEURIE RACETRACK A few white cockatoos and the sight of a baldy crest On the Mitchell highway out west in New South Wales Geurie is the place and it's where Betty's horse would race At the track where I've listened to many tales Hot dog and a can of drink is the cuisine of the day And a five dollar bet is all that I have allowed The horses look so pretty and the jockeys are so fit The colours are my choice are part of the crowd Consider yourself lucky if you don't loose any money At the Geurie racetrack where the turf is smelly I've been on a winner and a looser and I've even bought a calender At the Geurie Racetrack in October They're from beyond Bourke and dress up to the nines In spring when all the flowers start to bloom With some done on her boots a woman got upset She screamed like she lost one would assume With the Salvation army about I...

 This goes back to 2010 and it may have been entered in Your town Your Song competition. I'd make changes if I was to record it. THERE AIN'T NO ZOO IN THORA I was once introduced to an alternative dude He spent spent all day rolling in dirt Interesting he was and full of ideas Boris he was, and an animal expert But didn't have licence or diploma He didn't drink or swear or smoke A mean musician that knew his chords You hang around he'll tell a joke He lived near Bellingen, and loved his oxygen He'll send you on a wild goose chase West of town was his base He tells me There ain't no zoo in Thora Plenty of reptiles, wild galahs and a homing pigeon There ain't no zoo in Thora Everyone is collecting fertilizer They say one day it be worth a fortune Just like antiques and fortified wine On Australia's wealthiest commune Just west of Bellingen is a shed That's just up from a stream Don't trance think or meditate...

 This is based on a true story that goes back to 1992. I wrote this version in 2021 but other variations or attempts were filed years before hand. I settled for this version. Charcoal Cottage Someone called the fire brigade When an old house was a flame It was before the sun would rise Only some ashes that remain No more could be done As the folks glare at the mess Friends of the deceased now deal with Trauma and the stress Supernatural Courage At the Charcoal Cottage All those fond memories Had come to a disappointing end The Fella was identified Along with his faithful friend But tears on the cobber That helped with the hose Told a story you should hear That add to dreadful woes Supernatural Courage At the Charcoal Cottage The girl that lived next door knew this was going to happen She told him to clean his chimney The old fella didn't listen It's happened before In the very same street Before a family member Said this would repeat ...