The Wattle and the Waratah

Sheet Music from 1952

Download a PDF file of the sheet music.

Lyrics by Norma Hall ('Queeny Hall')
Music by Don Bennett
© Peters Radio Unit

Don Bennett was born around 1905 and had a long career as a musician from the 1920s with Melbourne's Bijou Theatre, the Tivoli Circuit and with various radio station orchestras. He also penned the popular 1956 song: 'Holdin' you in my Holden'.

from the Barrier Miner, Broken Hill, of 20 February 1940 p.3 :

"NORTH CHINA TROUPE OPENS TONIGHT Chinese artists are justly famous for their magnificent stage settings and brilliant costumes and these traditions are faithfully upheld by the New 1940 North China Troupe; who will appear at the Crystal Theatre for the first time tonight.
Presented by Lau Fu Chung, the show has a variety of acts. It includes jugglers, balancers, acrobats, contortionists and a host of supporting artists. Herbert Young (10), who will be seen and heard, is described as the Chinese Bobby Breen. He has enchanted audiences the world over with his beautiful soprano voice, and his renditions of old English ballads are a sheer delight. Supporting artists include Ron Shand, the "Jigging jitterbug," Norma Hall, Don Bennett, Keough, Leighton and Allan, comedy acrobatic dancers, and Royston, the treble voiced ventriloquist. A matinee will be held tomorrow at 2.30 p.m."

Source: Susan Buck, email, 2011; Peter Green, phone conversation with MF, 26.11.2013