THE OPENING

The Right Honourable the Prime Minister, welcome to you Sir
Your Excellency, thank you for being with us today
Mr Premier, Mr Minister, distinguished guests
Visitors from near and faraway
Today all of Sydney can feel justly proud
On that, I know we all agree
As we declare open this structure, this thirteenth runway
Where Botany Bay – used to be. 

As you well know, projects such as this
Spring from minds with the foresight and vision
To see far beyond what the ordinary folk do
The splendour of this grand reclamation
For thanks to this runway tourists will come
From all corners of the world to see
All the natural treasures of this wondrous land
Where Botany Bay - used to be.
 
If Captain Cook were to come here today
He’d be astonished at the progress we have made
From his haven just outside the heads
He’d marvel at our technological age.
Rivers of tarmac where waves once rolled
Concrete mangroves holding back the sea
Watching Jumbos land where Endeavour hove to
Where Botany Bay – used to be 

And when Captain Cook discovered this land
I doubt that he could have foreseen
That there simply wasn’t enough land mass here
To fit all our infrastructure in
But I’m proud to say we’ve developed the skills
To reclaim these waters for you and me
So sir, would you declare open this thirteenth runway
Where Botany Bay – used to be.

                                                            ©  Laurie McDonald