The Drover's Boy by Ted Egan


The Drover's Boy
Title : The Drover's Boy
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 188773452X
ISBN-10 : 9781887734523
Language : English
Format Type : Hardcover
Number of Pages : 32
Publication : First published June 1, 1998

Based on a song of the same name and set in the 1920's, The Drover's Boy recalls the time when it was illegal for Caucasians and Aborigines to marry, and the death of an Aborigine went unnoticed by the white community. This popular and moving Australian folk song comes from a true story about a Caucasian drover (the Australian name for a cowboy or sheep herder) who is forced to pass off his Aboriginal wife as his "drover's boy". Ted Egan wrote this song as a tribute to the Aboriginal stockwomen, in the hope that one day their enormous contribution to the Australian pastoral industry might be recognized and honored. Ages 11+.

The Drover's Boy Reviews

  • Emily Mcleod

    I once saw a woman sing this song for her young class of English students. Tears sprang to her eyes while she sung it and while we watched and listen. This book is one of my all time favourites. The song is beautiful and complex and acknowledges the painful history of many aboriginal women and their droving. The illustrations are mixed with beautiful scenes and a range of historical documents regarding the systemic oppression of these women and their families. It also acknowledges the love that existed between owners and drovers, imbalanced as it was. I highly highly recommend this book.

  • Abi Reynolds

    This is one of those books that is worth having on a 'Further Reading' list when it comes to topics. The history of Australia is a compelling one, that should not be dismissed lightly and that needs to be put into the right context.

    It would work well alongside Shaun Tan's 'Rabbits' as another view on how the native people, already living in Australia, were treated by the settlers who came along. I feel that it is better suited to KS 2 as the topic would need to look at what else was happening at the time and what is still happening.