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Contents
* Contents derived from the
Adelaide,
South Australia,:Rigby
, 1980 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
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Hungry Proctor and Betcha Davis,
single work
autobiography
humour
(p. 9-15)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.
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Endeavour River,
single work
autobiography
humour
(p. 16-22)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.
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Ugly Cec and Unclean Angus,
single work
autobiography
(p. 23-29)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.
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Wags and Dags,
single work
autobiography
(p. 30-49)Thorne recounts some of the adventures and fun that he shared with other workers while at Endeavour River station.
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Brolga Plains and Babbling Brooks,
single work
autobiography
(p. 50-55)Thorne recalls his time spent working as a stockman at Brolga Plains Station, north of Normanton.
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4GA Herbie,
single work
autobiography
(p. 56-63)Thorne remembers Herbie, a horse-breaker at Brolga Plains Station, who had a marvellous way with animals.
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Ridgy Didge,
single work
autobiography
(p. 64-77)Thorne describes Lightning Ridge, where he worked as an opal miner for a time, and recalls some of the interesting characters who lived in the town.
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Percy and Enid and Speedy Edie,
single work
autobiography
(p. 78-86)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.
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Brady Boys and Other Bonza Bastards,
single work
autobiography
(p. 87-103)Thorne recalls friends who worked on the cattle stations near Lightning Ridge during the 1960s.
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The Day the Laughing Bastard Was Hobbled,
single work
autobiography
(p. 104-107)Thorne describes the wedding of his mate, Sean.
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Battling Harry,
single work
autobiography
(p. 108-115)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.
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Sarge, Ray, and the Evil Weevil,
single work
autobiography
(p. 116-122)Thorne describes some of the older men who lived near Lightning Ridge, and their misadventures when under the influence of alcohol.
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Dr and Missus Grog,
single work
autobiography
(p. 123-130)When living in Bourke Thorne met a number of eccentric characters.
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Out Where the Roos Wear Sunshades,
single work
autobiography
(p. 131-138)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.
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The Mulga Monkey and Others,
single work
autobiography
(p. 139-143)Thorne recalls the fun he had while working on a cattle station near Bourke.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Other Formats
- Also sound recording.
Last amended 8 Dec 2010 14:09:22
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