Will Ogilvie was as fine a poet as ever graced Australia’s shores. As a Scot, with a keenly developed sense of respect and love for the natural world, he came to tell of Australia’s natural beauty and its resonance with our soul in a manner that awakened Australians to the beauty of their land. Though it has been over 120 years since he wrote much of his Australian poetry, it remains timeless in its authenticity and power to shape our awareness of the continent’s magnificent landscapes and the wisdom contained therein.
In August 2019, 150 years after Will’s birth, a remembrance service was held in Scotland, near Harden Hill, outside the small town of Hawick. ITV produced a television program, related to the remembrance service, to highlight the Scottish and Australian experiences that gave rise to Will’s works. It is a great insight into the man himself and the diversity of his perspectives that are reflected in the depth and breadth of his most inspiring and insightful poetry.
The program can also be found on the ITV website at https://www.itv.com/news/border/2020-01-21/catch-up-with-border-life/
