The Long Way Round

About the Book

Australia as post World War 2 English emigrants embarking under an Australian government subsidised plan to populate the country. It a was time when there were jobs for anyone anywhere throughout the length and breadth of Australia, thus making it possible to travel, work and explore during a more innocent time in a land climatically and socially conducive to such idyllic possibilities. The period covered is 16 years, from 1954 to 1970, of which five years are spent in New Zealand. Throughout this time children are born and a young family evolves. Many emigrants simply settled around the major cities for no other apparent reason than that it was where they had disembarked. For some this was traumatic and sometimes tragic. The book attempts – however briefly - to address such themes and the themes of emigrants in general. As the Vietnam War emerges an attempt is made to define Australia’s political choices in relation to her geographical environment. Ostensibly written for family and friends, the story strives towards a wider audience, but is entirely biographical and factual, except where a few forgotten names – very few – have been substituted with others.

About the Author

Born in Suffolk, England in 1930. Emigrated to Australia in 1954 after five years of British Army service. Met Lilian – another English emigrant aboard ship. Married in Sydney one month later and subsequently travelled and worked in Australia and New Zealand for a period of some sixteen years by which time five children were born. Some propensity for writing developed during those years. Emigrated with family to Canada in 1970 and worked in the Yukon before making the inevitable trip – pilgrimage – ‘home’, that most emigrants try to make at least once. Settled in coastal BC in 1972 where an interest in boat building and sailing developed while living on Vancouver Island and Cortes and Gabriola Islands. Now living in Victoria, BC with wife, Lilian, in close proximity to the rest of the family, who are all presently living in British Columbia.