A poem about Busselton has been uncovered in an Adelaide Hills antique store, titled Eden of the West and written by William Robinson of 31 Dorset Street.
A newspaper cutout of the poem was found in a box which contained an older butter dish with a small medallion of the Ballarat steam train.
Busselton resident Peter Blake was given the items by his sister who owns the antique store and hopes to find out more about the poet and what era the items were from.
“Recently this item, which I think is a butter dish, came into her shop and because she had been to Busselton recognised the Ballarat engine and the story,” he said.
“Inside she found the little poem written by William Robinson.
“I have no idea how old it is but it has been well looked after and the poem makes it well interesting.”
Mr Blake said he would be happy to pass the items on to a museum authority because it had the Ballarat on the dish.
If anyone would like to get in touch with Mr Blake about the items please contact him on 0457 817 479, and of course we would love to hear more about these items or the poet.
Please email any information to editorial.bdmail@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
Eden of the West
By William Robinson
Of all the towns here in the West
It’s Busselton we love the best.
Your azure sea and silver sand
The fairest place in this great land.
Where sunlight filters through the leaves
And high up in a tuart tree
The kookaburras laugh with glee.
There in the forest all day long
Is heard the magpies chortling song.
The river flats with pastures green
All lend enchantment to the scene.
And in the distance you can see
The cattle grazing peacefully.
The river Vasse flows slowly by
‘Neath willow trees and sunny sky.
The old stone church across the way
Where early settlers knelt to pray.
And there within its hallowed ground
The graves of pioneers are found.
And in the park the engine stands,
The first steam engine in this land
‘Twas from the forest cool and still
It hauled the logs to Wonnerup Mill.
Now there it stands through all the years
A relic of the pioneers.
The yachts sail steady on the bay
While on the beach the children play.
This friendly town so richly blessed,
It is the Eden of the West
Cape Naturaliste across the bay
There ev’ry night sends forth its ray,
To guide the ships around our coast
God bless this place we love the most.