wallaby track, on the

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

or On the Wallaby,or Out on the Wallaby


or simply Wallaby

,as adj. [slang].

Tramping the country on foot, lookingfor work. Often in the bush the only perceptible tracks, andsometimes the only tracks by which the scrub can be penetrated,are the tracks worn down by the Wallaby, as a haretramples its «form.» These tracks may lead to water or theymay be aimless and rambling. Thus the man « on thewallaby» may be looking for food or for work,or aimlessly wandering by day and getting food and shelteras a Sundowner (q.v.) at night.

1869. Marcus Clarke, `Peripatetic Philosopher' (Reprint),p. 41:

«The Wimmera district is noted for the hordes of vagabond`loafers' that it supports, and has earned for itself the nameof `The Feeding Track.' I remember an old bush ditty, which Ihave heard sung when I was on the `Wallaby.' . . . Atthe station where I worked for some time (as `knockabout man')three cooks were kept during the `wallaby' season – – one for thehouse, one for the men, and one for the travellers.»

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `A Colonial Reformer,' p. 82:

«`What is the meaning of `out on the wallaby'?' asked Ernest.`Well, it's bush slang, sir, for men just as you or I might benow, looking for work or something to eat; if we can't getwork, living on the country, till things turn round a little.'»

Ibid. p. 388:

«Our friends who pursue the ever-lengthening but not arduoustrack of the wallaby in Australia.»

1893. Gilbert Parker, `Pierre and his People,' p. 242:

«The wallaby track? That's the name in Australia for trampin'west, through the plains of the Never Never Country, lookin'for the luck o' the world.»

1894. Longmans' `Notes on Books' (May 31), p. 206:

«`On the Wallaby: a Book of Travel and Adventure.' `On theWallaby' is an Australianism for `on the march,' and it isusually applied to persons tramping the bush in search ofemployment.»

1894. Jennings Carmichael, in `Australasian,' Dec. 22,p. 1127, col. 5:

«A `wallaby' Christmas, Jack, old man! – – Well, a worse fate might befall us!

The bush must do for our church to-day,

And birds be the bells to call us.

The breeze that comes from the shore beyond,

Thro' the old gum-branches swinging,

Will do for our solemn organ chords,

And the sound of children singing.»

1896. H. Lawson, `When the World was Wide,' p. 134:

«Though joys of which the poet rhymes

Was not for Bill an' me

I think we had some good old times

Out on the Wallaby.»

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