Overview

Of all the Australian states, South Australia has most loudly perpetuated the historic myth that it was convict-free. But although it was not a destination for transportees, convicts and ex-convicts arrived in their thousands and helped build the new province. One of those was Billy Freeman. This is the true tale of a child convict who, after suffering the horrors of gaols and prison hulks, arrived alone in New South Wales aged just 13. Having laboured to gain his freedom, he then undertook an arduous cattle drive to South Australia with pioneer explorer Charles Sturt, and lived a hard farming life - confronting fire, economic depression and family tragedy - in the Adelaide Hills. All the while, Billy lived in the shadow of official discrimination, and he continued to have brushes with the law, even facing gaol again, with his wife Sarah, in middle age. Based on official records, the notes of family members and published histories, Billy's story is that of an unsung pioneer battler. It's a tale of determination and toughness, from a brutal childhood to making a new life in an often harsh environment.

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9781922957566

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Reviews

"""The story is a highly engaging and easy read. I found it very hard to put down. I like the way the author set the scene with the history of England, NSW and SA weaving throughout. Numerous aspects were news to me and I was educated along the way by the author's meticulous research."" - Carolyn Tucker, History researcher, Strathalbyn ""Billy Freeman's is quite a story, given his age when convicted and how he ended up being involved with so many prominent settlers. I had no idea we had a prison hulk in South Australia! This is no doubt an important document regarding early settlement in SA and in Australian history."" - Dennis Chesser, Freeman family, Sydney"

Author Information

Alan F. Atkinson is a freelance author and editor based in Adelaide. A former journalist, he worked extensively in print media in Australia and overseas before joining the Australian Broadcast Corporation. He won several awards for his investigative work and was named South Australian Journalist of the Year in 2004. He won a Walkley commendation and praise for Three Weeks in Bali, his eyewitness account of the 2002 Bali bombings. The Trials of Billy Freeman is his second book.

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