Please enjoy some Banjo while you visit.....
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Slim Dusty - Waltzing Matilda (320 kbps).mp3EARLY LIFE
Andrew Barton Paterson (nickname ‘Barty’) was born February 17, 1864, in Narrambla near Orange (picture).
He was the first child born to Andrew Bogle Paterson (Scottish Immigrant) and Rose Isabella Barton (Australian-born) and the eldest of 7 children (1 brother and 5 sisters).
Paterson’s family lived on an isolated Station near Yeoval, NSW until age of 5 when they had to sell up because his father lost his wool clip in a flood. When Paterson’s Uncle died (John Paterson) his family took over his farm in Illalong, near Yass (between Melbourne and Sydney). Coaches and drovers were familiar sights to him.
He also grew up seeing horsemen from the Murrumbidgee River area and Snowy Mountains country take part in picnic races and polo matches, which lead to his loving of horses and inspired his writings.
EDUCATION AND FAMILY
Paterson’s Early education came from a governess, but when he was able to ride a pony, he was taught at the bush school at Binalong.
In1874, Paterson was sent to Sydney Grammar School where he performed well as a student and as a sportsman.
While at Grammar, Paterson lived in a cottage in Gladesville (picture), which is now listed as Heritage site.
In 1903 Paterson married Isla Emily Walker of Tenterfield, NSW. Their first home was in Woollahra and they had 2 children, Grace (1904) and Hugh (1906).
CAREER & ARMY
Paterson’s poetic career began when he was in law school. In 1886 he was admitted as a solicitor where he practiced for 10 years.
In 1899, Paterson wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald, covering Boer War in 1899 and he used his horsing expertise to assist the Australian and British forces throughout the war as an honorary veteran.
In 1901, Paterson went to China and England to further his journalism career for Sydney Morning Herald and in 1903 he was chosen to be editor of the Sydney Evening News.
In 1908, Paterson left journalism and moved his family to a 40,000 acre property near Yass.
During WW1, Paterson served Australia as an ambulance driver for the Australian Voluntary Hospital and as an officer in the Australian Imperial Force.
In October 1915, Paterson was wounded while serving in France and was reported missing in July 1916. In April 1919 he was repatriated to Australia and discharged from the army with the rank of Major.
After the war, he continued as editor for the Sydney Sportsman, until he retired in 1930 and pursued more leisurely and creative writing projects.
THE WRITER
Though Paterson lived in Sydney for most of his adult life, and was a successful Solicitor, he also loved tennis and was a keen oarsman. Paterson's passions, however, were his horses and his bush-ballads. Paterson kept a lifelong love of the bush and his poetry, which often romanticised rural Australia, its mountain ranges and arid plains.
Whilst he had countless works, Paterson was best known for the folk song Waltzing Matilda and ballads, The Man from Snowy River and Clancy of the Overflow. Waltzing Matilda is often regarded as Australia’s unofficial national anthem..
Paterson adopted the pen name of “The Banjo” after a racehorse his family had owned.
LEGACY
Paterson died of a heart attack on 5th February, 1941, aged 76 and was survived by his wife and children.
Among Australians, Banjo Paterson is considered a great Australian by the way he lived his life with integrity, passion and service. His legacies include his journalism, his war correspondence, army service and his bush-ballads, which highlight the natural beauty in our rugged lands.
He has been honoured on the $10 note, $1 coin and on stamps.
Banjo is buried with his wife at Northern Suburbs Crematorium, Sydney.
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