Waltzing Matilda - The Story Begins at Warrnambool Races
Christina Macpherson was at Warrnambool's Annual Steeplechase Race Meeting in April 1894 when she heard the Warrnambool Town Band play the traditional Scottish tune, Thou Bonnie Wood of Craigie-Lea.
Christina memorised the tune and played it to Andrew B. (Banjo) Paterson at Dagworth Station in Queensland in 1895. Banjo Paterson, inspired by a local event, wrote some words to match the tune and the Australian National Song, Waltzing Matilda, was born. Christina's original 1895 manuscript of the music is held in National Archives Canberra. Pity it is not here, I would definitely go down for a gawk.
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