She's called the Grand Old Lady … and that's true.
Her celebration's really overdue.
Although it's rude to ask a lady's age,
we have her year of birth in History's page.
It seems to me this anniversary's late
but that, I'll leave for others to debate.

She's called the Grand Old Lady, that's no joke,
but here's a laugh, her name comes from a bloke!
A pommy bloke, who wore a fancy hat –
a Gentleman-at-Arms and diplomat:
Lord Carrington – state governor, you know,
and one of many men she's had in tow.

A mistress to so many she's been with,
like Rowell, Goyder, Peacock, Joynton-Smith,
and Morris, Jarvis and Brischetto too,
plus royalty and movie stars right through
to politicians – good or in disgrace –
and most PMs were kept a special place!

For many years, to have a little 'fun'
one only had to phone Katoomba 1!
This Grand Old Lady still has great appeal:
between the sheets, for drinks or for a meal.
To make her callers happy, she won't stop,
and in Katoomba, she's the one on top.

Now through the years she's grown to quite a size
but that's no issue to our modern eyes.
She's had a bit of work done here and there;
Paul Sorenson ensured a bit of flair
and many of her lovers changed her style
but still she has the power to beguile.

Her power, quite electric, made her crack –
she started smoking like a chimney stack!
She's given up the smokes, I'm glad to say;
co-generation's where she's at today.
And though her modern thinking has increased,
she still adores a wedding, ball or feast.

Let's recognise what's given her renown:
she forged Katoomba as a tourist town.
And even if the date's not quite exact,
we can't pass up a party due to fact.
No matter the occasion, wish her well:
let's hear it for the Carrington Hotel!