Comments on: Whroo

By: Lea

Lea — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:23:08 +0000

thanks Nicola, I followed your link, to here.

Our grandmother used to recite the verse, but we never knew the author. The meaning remains the same despite the words being slightly different.

Remember me, as you pass by
As you are now, so once was I
As I am now, some day you’ll be,
Be prepared to follow me

My grand-daughter understands its message and also loves and recites it.

By: Nicola Thomson

Nicola Thomson — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 20:23:04 +0000

Hi there..the poem is used throughout the English speaking world actually. I have seen it several times in the UK.

Remember me as you pass by
As you are now so once was I,
As I am am now, so you must be
Prepare yourself to follow me.

(On the tombstone of John Welch)

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:25:33 +0000

I am enquiring affter a the words of a rhyme which is on a headstone at the Whroo cemetry. I first heard of this rhyme as a young student at Kyabram high school. It contains the words ” As you are now so once was I ” but I am unable to remember the rest of the verse. Any information you might be able to forward would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you ver much.

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 06:29:19 +0000

Mining is an extractive industry, of course, so it tends to involve the digging of holes and the piling of rock. Environmental regulations in the 19th century were non-existent and, as you say, the results are still visible

Mining companies today pay rehabilitation bonds to ensure the restoration of the natural environment.

My recollection is that the Buckland River was particularly bad.

By: Ray Dixon

Ray Dixon — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 14:45:00 +0000

That photo just goes to show how little the early miners cared for the environment. It was the same around Bright, as you would know Michael. The original 'diggers' of the 1850s & 60s carved up the river & creek banks with their sluices & runs and left heaps of tailings (ie piles of rocks) that can still be recognised today. In many parts of Bright, even well away from the river, you can hardly stick a spade in the ground without hitting some rocks that probably originated from some other location.Then later they got the 'bright' idea of building barges and dredging the Ovens from Harrietville through to Bright & beyond I believe. I've seen photos of that destruction and boy, did they ever do 'neat' work? I think not.Time heals all but today if you look closely you can still see where the environmental vandals have left their mark. Bright in its early years must have been a really ugly place.Although I'm still hopeful that one day when I'm digging in my garden I'll hit a previously undiscovered nugget, retire and move north.