The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.
* Contents derived from the Adelaide,South Australia,:Rigby,1980 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
Thorne recalls a year he spent working as a jackeroo for minimal wages in New South Wales. He reminisces about his tight-fisted boss, Hungry Proctor, and the neighbour, Betcha Davis, who had gone slightly mad years before when his sweetheart left him and took most of his money.
Thorne travels to Cairns where he secures a job as a station hand on a cattle station near Cooktown. He soon discovers that his new boss and his boss's friends are a wild but friendly bunch.
During his two years working as a stockman at Endeavour River, Thorne befriends Cec and Angus. He describes Cec as an ugly man who risks physical harm whenever intoxicated, and Angus as an unclean man who holds his alcohol poorly and prefers not to wash.
While living at Lightning Ridge, Thorne ate most of his meals at the local cafe or pub. The quality of the meals varied according to who the cook was and their state of intoxication.
Thorne recalls time he spent with his mate, Harry. Harry and his wife Denise owned a property near Lightning Ridge, and battled against drought, flood, and isolation to make a living.
Thorne worked for a time as a stockman on a property near Bourke. He recalls the fun he had with the other stock workers, especially when they were intoxicated.
