In That Old House In Tugun Poem by Francis Duggan

We swapped our life stories for hours after tea
In that old house in Tugun overlooking the sea
Serena and Janice, Queensland Dave and I
And cat lover Helen our chat did enjoy.

Blond Helen 'the Tassie' she talked of her past
She went back the years and the clock ticked on fast
To when she was younger in Devonport Town
Long years before Queensland sun bronzed her skin brown.

She doesn't like wimpy men her men must be strong
They must show aggression and fight against wrong
Her ideal man is faithful and a stranger to fear
And she loathe big cry baby who weep in his beer.

She told of her men and the loves that she knew
Of her good days and bad days and all she'd been through
And though she did not say it the conclusion I drew
That some men are unfaithful and most are untrue.

And she love her cats better far better than men
And cats are trustworthy their friendship you win
She loves her Priscilla, Baby and Fatty Boy
And cats are more faithful they don't cheat or lie.

Serena unsettled she seemed to feel down
She talked of going north to a quiet coastal town
Her power hungry boss is not treating her well
She'll hand in her notice and damn him to hell.

A job's just a job and I'll give mine away
And the capricorn star sign is reading okay
I'll give notice monday there's more World to see
There has to be better this job's not for me.

She sipped some more liquor a smile lit her face
This is a big Country no shortage of space
I'm still young and single why should I know care
I'll head further north and try my luck up there.

And Dave of his Australian travels told
He found Southern New South Wales and Victoria too cold
And sunny Queensland still his favourite State
Down south is okay but I love Queensland 'mate'.

To so many parts of Queensland he has been
But the Daintree Forest still the best he has seen
About Daintree he only had good things to say
It makes me want to see north Queensland one day.

He poured some more bourbon as he shook his head
This Country's a very big Country he said
Not been to the desert or seen the great west
But of what I have seen I still love Queensland best.

And Janice from Belgrave as calm as can be
Sat on the lounge sofa quietly drinking tea
She complained Melbourne weather is bad people say
But on the Gold Coast it's been raining all day.

All day she had driven through the hills in the rain
And driving on wet slippery roads is a strain
But as the night wore on her mood grew more bright
And we all laughed and chatted till after midnight.

We swapped our life stories for hours after tea
In that old house in Tugun overlooking the sea
Serena and Janice, Queensland Dave and I
And cat lover Helen our chat did enjoy.