He put pen to paper and wrote a poem about the beloved local icon.

“I have written all this with total love for the guest house and your wonderful town, part and parcel,” he wrote to the Dungog Chronicle.

“It is a total shame that future generations won't have the pleasure of sitting on that verandah and soaking in that scene of utter peace.

“I have also written this on behalf of the owners, people who worked there and people who stayed and therefore I ask you to publish the sonnet in honour of those who still love it and remember.”​

We hope you enjoy Bill’s poem.

Come with me to a forest of dreams

Where the leaves dance happy on the trees

And play hide and seek in the moonlight

A quiet place

Where the days are sweet

And life is one on one

With your time machine

Where life goes on with sweet and kind

To ease the tensions of your mind

It is called ' The House At The End Of The Road'

The house is a big one

A huge one just like a tent

Of wood and steel and spreading

Holding out its arms, out for the world to see

And welcome you to stay

Hideaway verandas are just a treat

To beat away that summer heat

You climb the steps of anticipation

And open the door of 'can't wait'

To be greeted by a large dining room

All dressed up and looking fine

Just getting ready for you to dine

The tables are dressed with large table frocks

That dance across the room

Just waiting for you to join them

The walls are covered with paintings, sketches and photos

From yesterday, today and tomorrow 

And a fire is crackling in its place

Saying come over and see me sometime

And when the nights are hot and sticky

And the doors are open wide

The forest has a trick or two

Tucked up its sleeve

It sends a breeze, you wouldn't believe

To cool you whilst you eat

I know a forest far and wide

Where happiness survives

And if it happens you take 'five'

This sit on the steps out the front

To take in this vista of content

You will be joined rather soon

By councillors feathers and furs

Telling a story of need

"Have you got something for me" they say

And when your time is finally done

And it's time for you to go home

And your bag is full of love and kind

Remember –  There is a forest far and wide

Where happiness survives

It is just below the Great Divide

At The House At The End Of The Road.