Among the many other people moved by his poem was a twenty-two-year-old poet of Irish descent, Edwin James Brady.

When he read the “Cambarooma Star” he was editor of a paper called the “Australian Workman”, and being a bit short of copy, he reprinted the poem. Lawson, learning of his unauthorised use, went around to “thank Brady for stealing it”. Brady and Lawson immediately headed for the nearest hotel, and a friendship was made that lasted until Lawson’s death.