Dorothea Mackellar, an Australian poet celebrated for her evocative verses about the land Down Under, left an enduring legacy with her powerful and heartfelt expressions of the Australian landscape and identity. Her words have become synonymous with the rugged beauty of Australia and continue to resonate with readers around the world. In this article, we present a compilation of the top 10 quotes by Dorothea Mackellar that capture her love for the Australian land and her deep connection to nature.
Top 10 Dorothea Mackellar Quotes
I love a sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains, of ragged mountain ranges, of droughts and flooding rains.
This iconic opening from Mackellar’s poem “My Country” encapsulates her profound love for Australia’s unique landscapes and its ever-changing nature.
Core of my heart, my country!
Her pitiless blue sky,
When, sick at heart, around us
We see the cattle die –
But then the grey clouds gather,
And we can bless again
The drumming of an army,
The steady, soaking rain.
Mackellar’s lines in “My Country” capture the intense connection between Australians and the weather patterns that can bring both challenges and relief.
For floods will follow drought, and fire the floods, / And earthquake shock the fire, as thunder does.
In this quote, Mackellar encapsulates the cycle of nature’s powerful forces and their impact on the Australian landscape.
The love of field and coppice,
Of green and shaded lanes,
Of ordered woods and gardens
Is running in your veins.
Her words in “My Country” reflect her belief that a deep connection to the land is inherent in the Australian people.
All you who have not loved her, you will not understand
Though earth holds many splendours, wherever I may die
I know to what brown country my homing thoughts will fly.
Mackellar’s lines in “My Country” emphasize the uniqueness of the Australian landscape and the emotional pull it exerts on those who love it.
An opal-hearted country,
A wilful, lavish land –
All you who have not loved her, you will not understand –
Though earth holds many splendours, wherever I may die,
I know to what brown country my homing thoughts will fly.
In this stanza, Mackellar’s words celebrate Australia’s opulent beauty and its ability to capture the hearts of those who truly appreciate it.
And an English flower is the rose,
And the rose remembers the dust from which it came.
Mackellar’s observation in “Colour” underscores the connection between a flower’s beauty and the environment from which it emerges.
And the wattle gold, and the opal blue,
And the crocus and the iris too.
Her references to native Australian flora in “Colour” emphasize the vibrant and unique natural elements that define the country.
When a nation’s young men are giving it a miss
And leaving their country for ever for this.
Mackellar’s poignant lines in “Core of My Heart” reflect her concerns about emigration and the impact it has on Australia’s future.
It is something to know what to do with solitude.
Her introspective statement speaks to the ability to find solace and meaning in moments of solitude.
In conclusion, Dorothea Mackellar’s quotes stand as a testament to her deep appreciation for the Australian landscape and her ability to convey its rugged beauty and unique character. Her words continue to resonate with readers who share her love for the land Down Under and its profound impact on the human spirit. Mackellar’s legacy as a celebrated Australian poet remains an inspiration, reminding us of the power of poetic expression to capture the essence of a nation’s identity and the beauty of its surroundings.