Without going into the many details that this book provides, it can be summed up as a remarkable account of pioneering spirit in Australia in the 19th century not unlike the episode in North America’s history when the West was won.

In the space of about 45 years, Patrick Durack developed three major pastoral areas in Australia, Goulburn (NSW), Coopers Creek (Queensland) and the Ord River in Western Australia. Together with his sons, he travelled across Australia by horse and buggy often covering uncharted territory with bottomless optimism, determination and physical strength. On more than one occasion the Duracks were accompanied by large herds of cattle as well.

The book gives an insight into the mostly harmonious encounters of the squatters with the indigenous population in Queensland versus the more controversial experience in Western Australia. The strong values that the family brought with them from their Irish heritage were consistently upheld, even in the most adverse conditions. Both men and women in the Durack family played an equal part and leave us in awe of what they achieved even by today’s standards when conditions are so much more favourable.

This book leaves me with the wish to explore SW Queensland and the Kimberleys to look for remains of Thylungra and Argyle station, once homesteads of the Duracks.

Reviewed by Tineke Van Gasselt
Berkelouw Books Staff Member