Published 1 April 20091 April 2009 · Main Posts a Lofo poem Jeff Sparrow The cartoonist Lofo has illustrated Overland for yonks. He also writes verse, as below: Why I like Melbourne:A very old-fashioned poem You’ll find no shark In Noble Park, It’s too far from the sea. Snakes do not kill In Yarraville (another place to be). And if you fear The grizzly bear, The tiger and the lion, You safely go To Ivanhoe And find a bed to lie on. Or you may dread the octopus, The rhino or the nozerus, The red-hot flowing lava, The elephant, The fire-ant – You’re safe in Balaclava. No killer whale In Armadale, No giant anaconda, No poisonous frogs, Nor falling logs, You’re good in Moonee Ponda. No giant beast In Richmond East, No ape and no hyena, No killer bee In Ripponlea. Sleep tight in Murrumbeena. And when your favorite aunt is dead, ‘Cause giant bats have killed her, You can be reasonably sure It wasn’t in St. Kilda. Jeff Sparrow Jeff Sparrow is a writer, editor, broadcaster and Walkley award-winning journalist. He is a former columnist for Guardian Australia, a former Breakfaster at radio station 3RRR, and a past editor of Overland. His most recent book is a collaboration with Sam Wallman called Twelve Rules for Strife (Scribe). He works at the Centre for Advancing Journalism at the University of Melbourne. More by Jeff Sparrow › Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of supporting writers, and publishing ideas and voices often excluded from other places. If you like this piece, or support Overland’s work in general, please subscribe or donate. Related articles & Essays 20 March 20262 April 2026 · Main Posts Final results of the 2025 Judith Wright Poetry Prize Editorial team Established in 2007 and supported by the Malcolm Robertson Foundation, the Overland Judith Wright Poetry Prize seeks outstanding poetry from new and emerging writers. This year’s judges, Shastra Deo, Harry Reid and […] 20 March 202620 March 2026 · Main Posts Final results of the 2025 Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize Editorial team Established in 2007 and supported by the Malcolm Robertson Foundation, the Overland Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize seeks outstanding original short fiction of up to 3000 words themed loosely around the notion […]