Crooked River Station by I. G. Baylis tells of a mountain selection taking shape beside Crooked River, where a drover’s plans for a timber mill grow into something greater.
Among the towering gums and cattle tracks, a blacksmith, saddler, horse breaker and head stockman each have a part to play. It’s a bush poem full of working characters and the grandeur of the mountain country they call home.
Crooked River Station
By I. G. Baylis
It was up on Crooked River that a station came to be.
In amongst the mountain gums, nowhere a grander stand of trees.
Sometime in 1862 while droving through those hills.
A bloke named Patrick Finnegan thought he’d start a timber mill.
But as he built his slab walled hut he thought of greater things.
And Crooked River Station it began to spread its wings.
Perched up in majestic mountains where the wedge tailed Eagle fly.
He found a perfect clearing for his selection in the sky.
His drover mates they came to stay and cattle multiplied.
The towns below with mountain beef would always be supplied.
Old Joe a master blacksmith he came to air his trade.
And a finer display of metalwork I’m sure has not been made.
Old Bluey longtime saddler set up to tend the leather.
He’d repair the stations riding tack have it prepared for any weather.
‘The Breaker’ Tom O’Hara almost any steed he’d tame.
He hailed from County Sligo and wild horses were his game.
The head stockman was a weathered cove,a saddlebag with eyes.
But a finer horseman never seen and this no word of a lie.
And stock they roamed those towering heights and fences they were born.
The stockmen patrolled upon their mounts,their pathways they were worn.
And the Crooked River flowed right through an aqueous delight.
That fed the paddocks down below,and thirst was sure to smite.
©️I.G.Baylis 2025.
Keeping The Verse Alive
Crooked River Station is shared with permission from I. G. Baylis through Keeping The Verse Alive, Country Campfire’s bush poetry preservation project.
By preserving poems like this, we’re helping ensure the stories, humour and characters of country Australia continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.
I.G.Baylis
Bush Poet • Rural Traveller • Australian History Enthusiast
Writing as The Mountain Bush Poet, I.G.Baylis draws on family heritage, horses, farming in the Moonbi Ranges and the history tucked away in country towns. His verse follows the people, hardships and camaraderie of rural Australia, giving the old days a voice and a place around the campfire.
Poems, recitals, photographs, stories and original works remain the property of their original creator and are shared by Country Campfire with permission.
