'The master of the Australia historical blockbuster'. DAILY TELEGRAPH Daniel Johnson and Matthew Conway are currency lads – born and bred in the new land now being called Australia. Closer than brothers, they harbour a secret that binds them for life. But change is coming. When the British government resolves to turn back the clock and renew convict transportation, Daniel and Matthew find themselves on opposite sides of a fierce conflict that threatens to tear their friendship apart. Set in the bustling maritime world of 1830s Sydney, and spanning two decades, this is an unforgettable novel of loyalty and love that captures the spirit and energy of early Australia. 'A ripping great yarn, featuring characters with depth and storylines to match.' WEEKENDER 'Combines the facts of a turbulent part of Australia's history with a moving and often riveting fictional narrative.' GOLD COAST BULLETIN

The idea of an Australian republic has existed from the moment the First Fleet sailed into Sydney Harbour. This book is a comprehensive history of republican thought and activity in Australia and traces republican debate in Australia from 1788. It explains the pivotal role played by republican philosophies in the decades before responsible government was granted to the Australian colonies in 1856 and prior to federation in 1901. Mark McKenna also describes the often erratic appearance of republicanism during the twentieth century, focusing in particular on the period after 1975, when the issue of a republic became a prominent and increasingly fixed term on the political agenda. This book will be essential reading for all those with an interest in political and intellectual history. It calls for a higher level of public debate about the republic and makes an outstanding contribution to this debate itself.

The story of Hamilton Hume - a Currency Lad - one of the first white children born in Australia, or New Holland as it was then called. He was the first man to understand and appreciate the new land and its strange inhabitants, the original Australian bushman. This is the story of his exploration exploits, and a new and informed assessment of his place in our history.

This beautifully written, absorbing and thoughtful book tells the story of the first white Australians. Born before 1850. Most were the children of convicts. They had no access to land and no education, and free settlers generally treated them with contempt, as second-rate citizens.

‘Australia was born in chains and is not yet fully free’ —John Hirst In this crisp yet comprehensive book, Benjamin T. Jones explores Australia’s long republican history and boldly charts a path to an independent future. With republicans leading every government around the nation, now is the time to discuss not only why Australia should become a republic, but what kind of republic it should be. In This Time, Benjamin reveals the fascinating early history of the republican movement of the 1850s and its larger-than-life characters. He discusses Australia’s past as a predominantly Anglo monoculture and why we need a new model for a transformed nation. He demolishes monarchist arguments and discusses what went wrong in 1999 and the way forward from here, including the best method for appointing an Australian head of state. ‘To propose that an Australian should be the Australian head of state does not appear revolutionary or incendiary. If anything, it seems a rather banal and obvious assertion. “Isn’t that already the case?”, some may even ask. Flip an Australian coin and you’ll have your answer.’—Benjamin T. Jones Benjamin T. Jones is a Research Fellow in the School of History, ANU. His other books include Republicanism and Responsible Government and Project Republic (as co-editor). He is a regular guest on ABC Radio National and contributor to The Conversation.

History of the British colonisation of Australia and New Zealand ; discusses the harsh treatment of Aboriginal inhabitants by British colonists (pp.109-112) and the plight of the Aboriginal Tasmanians (pp.82-84 ; 128-131).

Australia had sporting champions before it had self-government. The earliest champions were watermen. A waterman’s trade was working small boats, and a waterman’s sport was racing them. In the many splendid bays and coves of Port Jackson, and along reaches of the Parramatta River, ‘pullers’ won their rowing laurels and (sometimes) made their fortune. Australia’s first six champion oarsmen are the stars of Port Jackson Pullers. These men led the way to the nation’s future dominance of the World Sculling Championship. Until now, any history of Australian sculling began in the year 1876, when Edward Trickett won the Championship of the Thames. But Trickett emerged from a well-organised aquatic sport which was flourishing on the waters of Port Jackson decades before he first stepped into a boat. John Brennan, George Mulhall, Thomas McGrath, Richard Green, William Hickey, and James Punch: six names that deserve honour in the world of rowing. Champions all, and all of humble origin, they fathered and furthered Australian professional sculling. Richard Green took it furthest of all, to the River Thames where, in 1863, he raced Britain’s best for the Championship of the World. Professional rowing was not established in Port Jackson without colour or controversy. In rough-and-tumble colonial times, good sportsmanship was an optional extra. Port Jackson Pullers revives and explores this vigorous, and occasionally villainous scene.

These one hundred and fifty true stories give voice to the many men and women who played an important part in establishing Australia's pioneering spirit but who mostly didn't make it into the history books. Drawn from the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame 'Unsung Heroes' database, they reveal the characters who were drovers, property owners, shearers, missionaries and amateur explorers. They bring outback history alive as do tales of the bush folk who built the fences, baked the bread, taught the children, provided entertainment, shod the horses, tended the sick and enforced the law. From veteran expeditioner Ned Ryan, to possum trapper Harry Stevens, Boer War veteran Jack Kyle-Little and eccentric pioneers Charles and Cora Chalmers, these are stories of resilience, courage and luck, about people with more grit than an outback sandstorm. 'This is the essence of what Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson wrote about . . .' John Williamson All royalites from the sales of this book go to the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre. Situated in Queensland's central western town of Longreach, it is Australia's premier outback heritage destination.