Banjo Paterson & Waltzing Matilda in the news

Australian poet Banjo Paterson and his famous song about a radical unionist named Frenchy Hoffmeister who burnt down a shearing shed, are in the news again, this time from Spain, and from a dinosaur discovery in the Queensland town where Banjo composed the song.

Read about the origins of 'Waltzing Matilda'

1) "Don't be surprised as you walk down a street in Spain to hear someone humming or even singing the words to Waltzing Matilda.

"The catchy unofficial Aussie national anthem has become somewhat of a sensation in Spain since it was chosen by a mobile telephone company to promote its new summer tariff plan ..."
Source: Waltzing Matilda has become a Spanish sensation (with video)

2) "Meet Australia's answer to velociraptor.

"Nicknamed Banjo he had three large slashing claws on each hand and is the most complete meat-eater ever found in Australia.

"His remains were discovered near those of two other dinosaurs - new species of giant plant eaters - at Winton, in western Queensland ..."
Source: Banjosaurus: new Aussie dinosaurs found

Categories: australian-poetry, australian-literature, biography, history, henry-lawson, australia, bush-poetry, literature, poetry, labor-history, australian-history, radical-history