Cirrus@Austlit

Lockwood sketches the colourful characters who are the crocodile hunters of the Northern Territory and recounts stories, tall and true, of their adventures.

Lockwood discusses the nature of Northern Territory buffaloes, the history of their arrival there, buffalo hunts and hunters, and adventures he has incurred among them all.

Lockwood discusses the nature of Northern Territory brumbies and of his experiences participating in their capture for use as stock horses on Elsey Station.

Lockwood recounts stories from, and antics of, drovers he has encountered in country towns. He describes how violent brawling is considered a normal social and recreational activity among the drovers.

Lockwood describes the unusual circumstances of some court cases in isolated outback locations that he has reported on, and characters he has met along the way.

'Darwin', says Lockwood, 'is a cosmopolitan, sometimes bohemian town where anything is more than likely to happen', and supports his claim with amusing stories.

Enjoying a cool evening with his family at Darwin's wharf, Lockwood's attention is drawn to a man gazing fixedly out to sea, with a crude raft in the water below him. The next evening the man is there again, gazing just as intently at the horizon. Lockwood describes his observation of the remarkable Ian Fairweather, and the ambitious raft journey to East Timor the eccentric artist embarked on shortly thereafter.

Lockwood describes the cavalier antics of a friend and former schoolmate, Clyde Fenton, who followed his own impulses with a cool disregard for authority but was also a dedicated medical officer in the R.F.D.S. The contributions of other dedicated men and women to the service of the R.F.D.S. is also discussed.

Lockwood's homage to Bill Harney, a man for whom he has great respect and admiration.

Lockwood discusses the high rate of crime and violence in N.T. and describes many notorious and lurid examples he has reported in his role as journalist.

Lockwood describes the people he has met, and the culture of many Aboriginal peoples of the Northern Territory.

Lockwood recalls conversations he has shared with Albert Namatjira, and discusses the artist's life and works.

Lockwood discusses Aboriginal art and cultural traditions, particularly musical instruments, and a memorable Corroboree he witnessed.

Lockwood describes attempts by Christian missionaries in the Northern Terriory to convert Aboriginal people to Christianity. He focuses on the lives and efforts of two missionaries, one being Roman Catholic missionary, F. X. Gsell, and the other, F. W. Albrecht.

By following the birth and life of an Aboriginal man, Maroowanna, Lockwood presents a sketch of Aboriginal culture, the impact of European settlement, and Government attitudes towards the welfare of Aboriginal people, especially in the Northern Territory.