John Durack: Thank you, Nanette. Ellis Smith. Ellis is a very old friend of Mother and Dad's and I'm not sure whether he's speaking or doing something else.
Ellis Smith:
Chairman John, families and friends, before I submit my different type of contribution this afternoon, I'd like to say how privileged and proud both Ida and I are to be good friends of Noni and Bill's. We do value this friendship very much and there's a very soft spot, and quite a big one in our hearts for both Noni and Bill.
I'm going to offer you something different now. I'll bring my music with me. Before I start, there's quite a heavy emphasis on motherhood this afternoon, I notice, and of course all of us are the products thereof. This contribution I'm going to make to you is a good old song called 'Mother Macree'. In case you don't know what the Macree is, it's an Anglo-Irish term of endearment, and literally (I looked up my Webster's dictionary for this) it means 'My Heart'. Seeing that I can't play my own accompaniment, I'm going to play the verse of it first, then I'll endeavour to sing it to you. There's been so much laughter this afternoon, that my voice is just about worn out before I start.
PLAYS HARMONICA
(Sings) There's a spot in my heart which no colleen may own,
There's a depth in my song never sounded or known,
There's a place in my memory, my life that you've filled,
No other can take it, no-one ever will.
Sure I love the dear silver that shines in your hair
And your brow that's all furrowed and wrinkled with care,
I kiss the dear fingers, so toil-worn for me,
Oh God bless you and keep you, Mother Macree.
Every sorry and care in the dear days gone by
Was made light by the light of the smile in your eye,
Like a candle that's set in a window at night,
Your fond love has cheered me and guided me right.
(Would you like to join in the chorus?)
Sure I love the dear silver that shines in your hair
And your brow that's all furrowed and wrinkled with care,
I kiss the dear fingers so toil-worn for me,
Oh, God bless you and keep you, Mother Macree.
APPLAUSE
Unfortunately I don’t have any photo of Ellis.
