Thanks freda for starting this up.... the end is in sight. The words are set to the Irish Washerwoman - all a bit wordy but intriguing. I learnt the first verse, which I think goes like this:

When a new chum arrives first upon Ballarat
He's colonially speaking knocked in a cocked hat
By it's size and it's business, deep leads and gold,
Flash cabs and steam engines, stores new and old.
And if he walks down the main street at noon
I'll warrant his nerves are astonished quite soon
By the swells in bell toppers and girls (pretty dears)
And lastly the horse bazaars and auctioneers.