THE RALLY

The boys all gathered in Canberra, a rally there to hold.

They still had fire in their bellies, though they were grey and old.

Nuddy and Eddie and others were there, trying to organize it all.

They did a bloody good job too and the boys sure had a ball,

Getting to know each other, no longer just names on TPInet,

"G'day mate glad ta meet ya", no more a faceless vet

They were from all over, even as far away as the West.

The politicians came and talked, Lightfoot, Scott and the rest,

Said "we're all on your side and you have earned a fair go"

But when in the Senate the motion was put, they all voted no.

The boys from the West set up and gave the boys a feed.

Even had hot tea and coffee, ah thats just what we need.

The boys all settled in and they were planning to stay,

But, unfortunately, world events overtook the day.

The boys took it calmly, they'd been fighting now for years,

So another non event wouldn't cause too many tears.

The pollies were wrong if they thought they'd give in easy,

These boys had been through a hell that'd make a polly queasy.

We'll have to hold more rallies is what the boys all said.

We will never give in now, no way will we hang our head.

So at the end they all packed up and then went on their way.

But left a message for the pollies, we'll return and we'll have our day.

(c) Lee O'Neill
2 November 2001