Category Archives: Australian children’s poetry

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious by Jeanie Axton

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A famous word in the dictionary
one that’s exceedingly long
renowned for many reasons
including a famous song

Originally college slang
coined by students in 31’
meaning extremely wonderful
they spoke it out in fun

Next came Mary Poppins
released in 64’
the word in song a legend
quickly woven into lore

It’s believed to be an expression
for all that’s fabulous they say
singing it extremely loud
will brighten up your day

“Can you say it backwards?”
Mary Poppins once said with a wink
Isn’t that going a bit too far?
What do you actually think?

Journey of a Word

Image from Pixabay

Triumphant Terrific by Celia Berrell

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“Terrific!”
This word
is rather heroic.
Rooted in
TERROR,
it’s far from bucolic.

It started out
living with
FEAR and DREAD,
but chose to be
BRAVE and HAPPY
instead!

The Journey of a Word

Image from Pixabay

“Victory” Over Distance by Edwina Smith

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It’s a rugged, wild wilderness
with ancient cliffs and rocks,
endless skies of brilliant blue
and finches fly in flocks.
Where the Desert Pea blooms
its flowers red and black;
sprouting up when raindrops fall
way off the beaten track.

They’re practical by nature
resilient and strong,
take pride in where they love to live
though distances are long.
While working in The Outback
on sheep or cattle station,
their warmth and witty humour
are the heartbeat of our nation.


When living far away from town
and all we take for granted,
should injury or illness strike
The Outback’s less enchanted.
In days of old and torn between
to travel or to wait,
would damp the dust with salty tears
when help came way too late.

Inspired by a letter
and seeing those in need,
kind and caring Reverend Flynn
prepared to plant the seed.
Wings would give them speedy flight;
too many lives were lost
for people of the great Outback,
‘twas time to curb the cost.

So at last it came to be;
more interest surely grew.
Bright sparks came from all around
to share in what they knew.
Flynn’s dream for Outback folk
was fuelled by those who dare,
then “Victory” over distance flew
first patients through the air!

Urgent calls would not be heard
in situations dire.
Precious time forever lost
by words along the wire.
A clever plan soon began
to save the darkest hour;
the Doctor’s voice, a faster choice
with Traeger’s Pedal Power!

The Service grew with changing times
to what we have today.
If Flynn could share a word or two,
I wonder what he’d say?
“ We’re helping people way Outback
exactly as we should.”
and maybe with a dash of pride
“I think it’s pretty good.”

Come and see the splendid hues
of sunset and sunrise,
the silent still of nighttime
‘neath clear and twinkling skies.
These days have greater safety now
for all who come Outback.
Our Flying Doctor’s on the wing
way off the beaten track!

Photo from Royal Flying Doctor Service image library

Author’s note: For your understanding, the line “Inspired by a letter” refers to a letter that Reverend John Flynn received from a young medical student during World War 1. He had the idea of an aerial medical service. Reverend John Flynn was a visionary man who was very aware of tragic medical outcomes in The Outback. He was the driver behind getting medical care to Outback people. “Victory” is the name of the first aircraft to undertake transport of patients/doctors to The Outback. “With Traeger’s Pedal Power” refers to the improvement in communication between the service and Outback people. Prior to this invention (two-way radio) emergencies were communicated along telegraph wires which was very slow.

Into the Woods by James Aitchison

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I went to Sherwood Forest,

in search of Robin Hood.

I imagined he was watching me

as I wandered through the wood.

Then came a flight of arrows

and I heard the Sheriff’s men;

the ring of swords and battle

resounded through the glen.

But how I was mistaken,

only ghosts are here to thrill,

for Robin Hood’s a memory —

a legend living still.

A very English forest. Photo by Ginette Pestana

Don’t Annoy the Gnomes by Pauline Hosking

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By day you see gnomes standing still.
At night a different role they fill.
Without their care and helping hands
All gardens would be barren lands.
They go about their tasks with glee
Requiring total privacy.
All was well till William Soames
Stayed up one night and saw the gnomes.
Then gnome-observing fast became
His newest hobby, like a game.
He hunted out their hidden places
Where they played and washed their faces.
Wrote up notes on what they wore…
The gnomes, annoyed, began to roar:
‘He must be stopped! This is quite wrong
We don’t like being spied upon!
Why does he probe and pry and peer?
We cannot work when he is near.
Can’t wash the roses, shoo the bugs
Protect the plants from snails and slugs.
Our secret work is secret, not
The business of some human tot!’
After much deliberation
Argument and altercation
The gnomes decided what to do.
‘He needs to understand our view!’
Into the house that night they crept
And onto William’s bed they leapt.
A spell was cast, quick as a wink.
The sleeping boy began to shrink.
Was horrified when he woke up
The size of a small drinking cup.
Angry gnomes tried to explain
Why Will’s surveillance caused them pain.
‘Leave us be! Beg our pardon!
Else we’ll abandon this fine garden!’
Fists were shaken, tears were shed.
Before he was returned to bed.
Later, now his normal size,
He told his Mum and Dad some lies
But not the truth of where he’d been
Or what he’d heard and what he’d seen.
Or that he’d learnt more spying would
Shrink him again — this time for good!

Will binned his notes, surprising all.
And took up playing basketball.

Photo taken by Linda Davidson

Play the bells (Journey of a word) by Jeanette Swan

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It’s a tick-tock clocka,

or that’s the word it used to be:

Let’s play the bells on the glockenspiel.

The bells would clang

for the missionary  monks,

and the word travelled ’round

with its clocka sounds.

A clock is a clanger

that hangs in the steeple.

Later, cloak comes from clock,

like a bell-coat for people.

So, the word for  bells pealing,

cloaks secrets, concealing

that clock is a contranym

– its very own antonym.

Image from Pixabay

Weird-Wired Microbes by Celia Berrell

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Geobacter like a bit
of current for their tea.
These microbes stay alive by
eating ELECTRICITY.

Connected by their hair-like strands
these wired-up microbes grow
and form a film of circuit-slime
that makes a current flow.

Feeding on electrons
can you guess what they excrete?
Electrons in – electrons out.
It’s weird.  But rather neat!

Image from Pixabay

Winter in Australia by Linda Davidson

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Winter in Australia is varied that’s true blue,
From snowy mountain ranges to temps of thirty-two.
Winter begins when the month of June has arrived.
And the nights are usually cooler, no matter where you reside.
Winter nights make clearer air, so the stars twinkle brighter
While winter days are shorter and the sun appears calmer.
Winter is great for drinking hot chocolate that is steaming
And snuggling with blankets while reading and dreaming.
Winter is a time for jackets, socks and beanies to be worn,
And bonfires on the beach are a fun way to stay warm.

Image from Pixabay

Captain R Jaken’s Adventures by Andrew Plant

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Captain R Jaken 

Likes to have fun 

So with his eyes 

He wears a patch over one  

Sometimes on the left 

Sometimes on the right 

Sometimes in the day 

Sometimes at night 
 

Captain R Jaken  

Likes to say Arrrgh  

And shiver-me-timbers  

And get-on there Jack-tar 

Sometimes he shouts 

Sometimes he mumbles 

Sometimes he sings  

Sometimes he grumbles 

Captain R Jaken 

Likes reading maps 

And looking for treasure  

And setting-off traps  

Sometimes he gets gold 

Sometimes he gets muck 

Sometimes he gets lost 

Sometimes he gets stuck 

Captain R Jaken 

Likes to be brave 

Exploring dark places 

And cold slimey caves 

Sometimes he struts  

Sometimes he sneaks  

Sometimes he’s bold  

Sometimes he shrieks 

Captain R Jaken 

Likes to tell tales 

’bout treasures and battles 

And krakens and whales  

Sometimes he wins 

Sometimes he’s beaten 

Sometimes he escapes  

Sometimes he’s eaten  

Captain R Jaken 

Likes sailing at night 

He sailed to Lands-End 

And then on out of sight 

Sometimes he’s seen 

Sometimes he’s not 

Sometimes he’s remembered 

Sometimes he’s forgot 

Captain R Jaken 

Likes these things and more  

As long as they all  

Can be done from the shore 

Sometime in his heart 

Sometimes in his head 

Sometimes in his chair  

Sometimes in his bed. 

Image from Pixabay

Adeline Rose’s Birthday Party by Nicola Phillips

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Adeline Rose just loved to pose,

Her mum would say, “eyes this way, chin up, that’s my girl.”

Every chance she got

Whether it was inconvenient or not.

Adeline Rose would rise to the occasion

Never once flinching, posing without persuasion.

This went on for quite some time,

Until one day, Adeline Rose refused to obey.

She had had simply enough.

No cajoling, pleading or bribing would make her sway.

Adeline Rose turned her back,

This Instagram lark was merely a hack.

Her mum was devastated but what could she do?

If Adeline Rose refused her birthday party too?

Food and drink were already bought,

“It cannot just grind to nothing – to nought?”

But Adeline Rose stuck to her guns,

No party or posing – she was done.

Adeline Rose was keen to restore

Her life as a dog and nothing more!

Image from Pexels