History of the Bush.
Submitted: Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 23:30
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Kim and Damn Dog
I recently read 'Demons at Dusk' and many parts took me back to a period of my youth. Following that, I've read a few other books which didn’t do much for me because they were a product of modern authors
I'm now reading Mary Durack's 'Kings In Grass Castles' which is about Patrick and many others, describing the exploits of building a cattle empire from nothing.
The more I read, gives me an understanding of my time in the bush, and lessens some of the latter day demons related to hardship and loss of family that have have dogged me for most of my life.
Mary Durack is a wonderful writer, slow to start, but the richness of the Australian bush and its history is undeniable in her presentation.
I find great solitude in these writings, and often wonder why the value of our Australian history is so benign and not taught in schools.
It was only recently that my best mate, and I, coincidentally happened to read start reading about the history of Gippsland.
After that it's been interesting how the conversation has turned to past events, rather than women over an open fire.
As I read further, I’m becoming more wealthy in the country I cross though with knowledge.
Regards
Kim
Reply By: Member - Dunworkin (WA) - Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 23:53
Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 at 23:53
A great book that one, I don't read a lot but I read that one many years ago and like you thoroughly enjoyed it. I must admit I do enjoy Australian History.
Cheers
D
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Reply By: Member - vivien C (VIC) - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 08:56
Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 08:56
Kim,
I haven't read 'Demons at Dusk' but I agree that books are wonderful companions. I also think that before we venture out on our travels we are sensible to read about where we're going to be travelling. I don't just mean what there is to do and see but to actually read about the history and the people. I know for myself that having a little knowledge of the past has made seeing simple things like fence posts, old homesteads, station names on signposts, street names etc etc so much more important and pleasurable. If I had never read about them I would've just passed by without a second glance but now they fill me with memories of lives from the past.
Viv
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Follow Up By: The Landy - Tuesday, Nov 04, 2008 at 11:08
Tuesday, Nov 04, 2008 at 11:08
Hi Vivien
I’m with you in terms of reading books on the locality before travelling through an area. We have done this on all our trips and, like you, have found it far more interesting than just driving through.
On one of our trips north we travelled through outback Queensland after reading Bruce Simpson & Ian Tinney’s book “Where the Deadmen Lie” and visited many of the
places detailed throughout the book.
Which begs the question; what books have others read and than visited the
places of interest?
I also note that you are reading “Why Warriors Lie Down and Die” a fascinating book!
Regards
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Reply By: Redback - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 09:58
Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 09:58
Try watching the series "THE FIRST AUSTRALIANS" then you may re-think what was writen and convenietly left out too make it all seem so wonderful.
Baz.
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Follow Up By: Member - vivien C (VIC) - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 10:26
Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 10:26
Baz,
I have been watching and learning a lot from "The First Australians" and I'm also reading "Why Warriors Lie Down and Die" and finding it sometimes difficult but trying to understand and learn more.
That doesn't take away from the fact that there were some amazing true stories and lives - both white and black and it doesn't change my thoughts that we are better travellers if we understand or at least try to understand the country we live in and travel through.
All the best
Viv
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Follow Up By: OzTroopy - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 11:12
Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 11:12
Redback
Programmes like the ones you mention have nothing to do with an individuals choice to drive mobs of catlle across the country or set off on an exploration, at a time when transport and communications were virtually non-existant in this country.
I for one, admire the strength of character of those men and women who chose to establish themselves in what is basically the back of beyond.
The programmes may have something to do with how a number of persons of that time conducted themselves on their journeys but I doubt that this thread is about those.
BTW ... modern media is about sensationalism ... you should be accord those programmes, with the same amount of skepticism as you appear to apply to white settlement stories - especially in this day and age of political correctness.
For those who just enjoy a good book ... Ion Idress also makes for good reading.
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Follow Up By: Kim and Damn Dog - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 18:03
Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 18:03
OZ
Re: Ion Idress
Thanks for that. I don’t know much about the man apart from the fact he was a prolific writer and experienced bush man.
I'll look him up next time I go to the library.
Regards
Kim
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Reply By: Member - Madfisher - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 10:14
Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 10:14
Kim I re4ally enjoyed Kings in grass Castles also. They hads some guts. Where he started out at Goulbourn was very close to my mothers people who where also of irish extraction.
Cheers Pete
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Follow Up By: OzTroopy - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 10:38
Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 10:38
Amazingly ... they even sent the kids back to
Goulburn for schooling from the Kimberlys.
Boarding and travel fees were obviously a lot more realistic back then .... lolol.
Amazing efforts by amazing people ... All to quickly forgotten by modern society.
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Follow Up By: Member - Madfisher - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 14:23
Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 14:23
Oz troopy the kids where sent back to school from the channel country. Old Patrys son mostly opened up the kimberly, who was the authors father.
Cheers Pete
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Follow Up By: OzTroopy - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 15:18
Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 15:18
Thanks for that Madfisher,
Even though the info came from a teacher at the school, I might have to have a reread of the book then .... been a whiles anyway.
Cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Madfisher - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 17:39
Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 17:39
You will get a lot out of it Oz,If I tell you anymore I will spoilt it for you.
Cheers Pete
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Reply By: Member - Ian W (NSW) - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 20:02
Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 20:02
Kim, you have chosen a great title,"Kings in Grass Castles" was required reading by one of my High School Teachers, a wonderful read and gives one an understanding of the suffering endured by the families of those men who opend up the outback areas.
There are some fantastic Australiana books about that seem to have faded into oblivion. A great and hilarious read is a book with the title of "Cossack", written by the wife of the
Cossack publican.
Tells of the joys of running a pub in a remote
Kimberley Port where cattle were loaded for shipping prior the advent of road transport, of hiring hotel cooks by mail and of course getting the alkies, of waiting months for the first steamer to arrive after the cyclone season and then watching the piano you ordered six months previously being dropped onto the jetty.
I've searched high and low to obtain a copy of this title with no success todate.
Ian
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Follow Up By: Kim and Damn Dog - Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 20:44
Monday, Nov 03, 2008 at 20:44
Thanks Ian
I'll also read
Cossack if it's available. The other thing I'm interested in is old bush poems. Be good to see as a Friday feature from contributers.
Regards
Kim
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Reply By: Keith_A (Qld) - Tuesday, Nov 04, 2008 at 10:40
Tuesday, Nov 04, 2008 at 10:40
Hi Kim - I know of three similar books that stand out as authentic and brilliant.
Kings in Grass Castles - Author Mary Durack. Published by Corgie Books
Pieces of Blue - Author Kerry McGinnis - Published by
Penguin ISBN 0 670 88740 4
We of the never never - Author Aeneas Gunn - year 1902 -Area : Katherine/
Mataranka Springs/
Roper River NT - Published by Angus and Robertson ASBN 0 207 18690 1
Now for anyone who wants to buy such books, there is a specialty second hand book store in
Brisbane that will find and post them to you. They are : Bent Books at 205a
Boundary Street,
West End 4101 - Phn 07 3846 5004. They also have a web site where you can leave your request, and they let you know when/if they find your book. A dangerous book store if you are a reader.
.....................Keith
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