SQUATTER Boardgame, Banjo Patterson and Grandfather Tom.

I loved my Grandfather Tom McFarlane. He used to take me in his old Bedford truck to his workplace and much to my joy used to sing along the way 'Every little breeze seems to whisper Louise.' After that he would recant poems by Banjo Patterson 'The Man from Snowy River' and 'Clancy of the Overflow'. I could have listened to my Grandfather all day long and watch as his eyes glisten when 'The colt from old regret got away'.

I remember our family giving him a gift of the full collection of Banjo Patterson's poems and writings, I was sadly unaware that at this time his mind was slowly slipping away and all he had was his memories, new poems would never be remembered or recited, but the old poems he could recite from his heart everyday.

Now I just know that if I had been older and wiser I would have shared my favourite game with him 'Squatter'. Why you may ask? Well my Grandfather was from a farming background and a qualified wool classer. In fact, much to his shame, he was prohibited from going to war along side his brothers because he was needed too much at home working for the wool industry.

Today to my surprise I discovered another connection in relation to the board game Squatter, Banjo Patterson and my Grandfather, I had the great pleasure of meeting the son of the creator of the game Richard Lloyd, and now my appreciation of this great iconic Australian game is even greater!

Have you ever played the game Squatter? If you haven't then you are seriously missing out on what truly is one of the most educational and family orientated games created, and a game that is quintessentially Australian.

So now the story of Squatter.

Just like my family, Richard Lloyd's family came from a background of farming and associated industries. His father, Robert C Lloyd during his early working years was employed by Dalghety the rural suppliers of farming products and equipment. He travelled across Victoria assisting the farmers, travelling past properties, acknowledging the land. Robert Lloyd loved his family and every week would send a post card back in large hand-scripted writing that would fill the post card with the simple words 'I miss you'. When he finally arrived home, he would leave a small gift on the mantle for his sleeping children, like a packet of smarties or a small show gift. Once he even saved a stranded turtle and brought it home, but the rule was, that nature belonged to nature and within the week the turtle was returned to a safe place near to where it was found.

Below: Mr Robert Lloyd.

The concept of the game came from his appreciation of the sheep industry and the hardship farmers faced on a daily basis. However, whilst he loved the land and his job, the endless hours away from his family brought a desire to be closer to home. So he asked a question to the world, and the response was from the seed of his imagination the beginnings of this great board game. Arriving home one evening, he spent hours well into the night and upon morning, he had a new love, a new adventure.

Why the name Squatter? Remember Banjo Patterson?

Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda. You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me. And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled:"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me."

Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred. Down came the troopers, one, two, and three. "Whose is that jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag? You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me."

The Squatter - the land owner, and hence the name!

Now look at the other names on the game board! All have the sheep stations represent most States of Australia, 'you are visiting town miss one throw' is the old skyline of Melbourne, 'Warramboo' literally means 'Place of many kangaroos'.

Was the game an instantaneous success? No!

Why? Well just like J.J.Rowling it takes time for someone to see real worth. It was eventually commended by Woolmark due to it's relevance to the wool industry and launched at The Royal Melbourne Show in 1962. Since then it has sold more the 500, 000 games within Australia.

My connection! Well, I fell in love with Squatter in the late 60's. It was a friends game, my brother and I never had the luxury of having this game at home, which is the reason why I never played it with my Grandfather and that is such a shame because he would have loved it!

But he could recite this word for word and it mean't the world to me!

The Man from Snowy River by A.B Banjo Patterson

There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around

That the colt from old Regret had got away

And joined the wild bush horses - he was worth a thousand pounds,

So all the cracks had gathered to the fray.....

In Loving memory to all fathers and great grandfathers and their contribution to who we are today! And of course! The great Banjo Patterson!