Cirrus@Austlit

'As a South Australian by birth and an early enthusiast for urban history, I was not deeply impressed by Russel Ward in my youth. However, that was a long time ago. Since then I have come to appreciate The Australian Legend (1958) and to feel that it could be better understood. No doubt my own work on Miles Franklin, and my days on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula, some of which I will be referring to shortly, has had good deal to do with it; but so too has an increasing awareness of the challenges now facing rural and regional Australia. In what follows, I start with the young Russel Ward and what led him to focus on the pastoral frontier of eastern Australia. Next comes a consideration of the Legend's relevance to two very different regions, the Brindabella area in the southern mountains of New South Wales, and Eyre Peninsula, the western most peninsula of South Australia, both of which as it happens were first colonised by Europeans in the 1840s. Lastly, by way of conclusion, I offer some observations on the changing face of 'the frontier' since the 1950s, drawing on my own experience. That may sound rather presumptuous. But it is more or less in line with the task that Ward set for us in the final paragraph of his book, which reads in full: It is generally agreed that without a distinctive national tradition a people lacks cohesion, balance, and confidence. It is usually assumed that in a young country like ours, inherited attitudes exert less influence than in old one. The truth maybe that, because of its relative youth, our tradition is at once too dominating and too rigid, and that we tend compulsively to worship it as, so to speak, a fair though sacred cow. But nothing could be more thoroughly within the tradition than 'to give it a go' - to venture boldly on new courses of action, and so modify, and even create, traditions as the anonymous bushmen, and, later, the men of the 'nineties did. Today's task might well be to develop those features of the Australian tradition which still seem valid in modern conditions.' (Introduction)

'Church of Scotland ministers represented the established church of the Scottish people, the third largest immigrant group in the colony of New South Wales (NSW). Their influence was legitimised and expanded through the Church Act (1836), reinforcing and perpetuating Scottish values and culture. This Act committed the colony to support from general revenue, the expansion of religion by generously funding the building of churches and the income of clergy. Proposed by Governor Richard Bourke in 1833, the scheme received Colonial Office approval in 1836. John Dunmore Lang dominated NSW Presbyterianism in the period before the Church Act, and by looking at his beliefs, conflicts and actions a number of important aspects of Presbyterianism and Scottish rights can be explored. These were important factors impacting on the approval and introduction of the Church Act. Lang's political career was dominated by his opposition to the Act, but in the 1830s his advancement of Scottish rights and beliefs, and his lobbying for increased government funding for the Church of Scotland, stimulated awareness about religious inequality in NSW that solidified support in Britain for the Church Act. This article also contributes to current understandings of radical political ideas in NSW by demonstrating that Lang's political ideology was essentially underpinned by the belief that Scottish Presbyterianism and Scottish immigrants were agents of morality, essential to the establishment of a prosperous Christian nation.'  (Publication abstract)

'I am very glad that this book has been written, and even more so that Frank Bongiorno has written it. Histories of sexual behaviour in the West abound and especially so if we include studies of sexual behaviours past and present. But no histories of Australian sexuality existed before this book. I italicise 'histories' the word in order to address my second reason for celebration. This is an exemplary piece of social history, written with equal assiduity and clarity. So much is this the case that it could be (and I believe was intended to be) read by layperson and academic alike. Moreover, as the title suggests, this account draws heavily on subjective and deeply intimate accounts in the proud tradition of the first sexologists of the late nineteenth century. This is one of the strengths of the author's approach — clearly intent on moving beyond 'sexual behaviour' and focusing instead on 'sex lives'.' (Introduction)

'Andrew Tink has written a very interesting book that is of great value to the historiography of early Australia. It is a very readable account of an English aristocrat who walked the corridors of power with the great and powerful royal and political personages not just of Britain but also of the international scene during many of the momentous events of the second half of the eighteenth century. For example, as Home Secretary he was responsible for the negotiations for the Peace Treaty to end the American War of Independence in 1782-3 and was also the responsible minister for dealing with the illness and temporary insanity of His Majesty King George III in 1788-89.' (Introduction)

'The use of the word 'remarkable' in the sub-title of this fascinating book is wholly justified. Some of the most important strands of mid-nineteenth century British and imperial history shaped the life of this woman who died so tragically young. Fortunately, she and the members of her large, extended family were inveterate letter writers and Lucy also kept a diary and detailed journals for the years she spent as a governess in New Zealand and later as the wife of a grazier in northern Queensland, near Hughenden, and farmer in New Zealand. She also kept another record of her experiences in her sketches and paintings and this volume is abundantly provided with illustrations to complement the extensive extracts that Vivers has chosen from the letters, diary and journals. In many places Lucy is allowed to tell her own story without scholarly mediation and Vivers shows both skill and sensitivity in her choice of extracts and the narrative connections she makes to carry the story forward. Perhaps the most important feature of this well researched work is that we are able to hear Lucy's voice as she recorded her impressions of the people, the places and the landscapes of the Antipodean colonies where she was a relatively brief resident but remarkably acute observer.' (Introduction)

'Where have all the brolgas gone? John Hunter, intrepid Scottish seafarer and sometime governor of the infant colony of New South Wales, recorded these majestic 'native companions' as if they were regular denizens of early Sydney. Which they were, along with much else in the natural world that has been lost. We only know about them because the many-talented Hunter kept a comprehensive sketch book of the fauna and flora of early Sydney, Norfolk Island and surrounds.' (Introduction)