Publication: Melbourne Herald
Date: 31 March 1937
In homes where one parent is trying to do two jobs – working all day as well as bringing up a family – there is a lot of disregarded heroism, says the Chief Medical officer of the Education Department (Dr. Jane S. Greig). A little meek man with a ragged moustache, A little round hat, and a little brown bag; He is never too venturesome, never too rash, As his commonplace days uneventfully drag His not the dreams with fine poesy fired, His not an army with banners unfurled; Yet there’s something heroic and something inspired In this brave little ant of the work-a-day world. He sits in his place on the tram or the train, Conning his problems and laying his plans. With woes that are urgent and hopes that are vain He wrestles and strives; or he frowningly scans The news of the day, but there's little to learn; For his life touches little and understands less Save that it is stern; he must toil, he must earn, To win ere its end to a modest success. To toil and to earn and to plan and to save For one's family’s sake 'mid this puzzling strife Oh, the meek little man is so earnest, so grave, With his poor little worries. The kids and the wife, The home and the happiness every man seeks; But the young are different, life has grown queer – So he worries and toils thro' the days and the weeks, And there’s something heroic with bravery here. A little meek man with a ragged moustache, Just one of a many meek heroes among, Undestined for ever to cut a great dash; He will live, he will die undistinguished, unsung. Yet if songs be for heroes' and conquerors' praise, Then let there be songs to him, one of the mob, A conqueror truly thro' all his drab days, Striving and scheming and doing his job. "Den" Herald, 31 March 1937, p6