Discuss the concept of ‘mateship’ with reference to the writers you have read.

Some of the sentiments expressed m the poem came to be important to the nationalist Australian Poetry writers. Chief among them is the creed of mateship. The comradeship of the stockman and his mate Ned is recalled :

‘Twas merry in the glowing morn, among the gleaming grass,

To wander as we’ve wandered many a mile,

And blow the cool tobacco cloud. and watch the white wreaths pass,

Sitting loosely in the saddle all the while.