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The New Ringer

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The New Ringer

By: Roland Breckwoldt
Narrated by: Tim Carroll
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About this listen

A shy young man from the suburban outskirts takes himself to Gulf Country on a 1960s boys own adventure that changes his life forever.

'We can give you a start. You will need a six foot by four foot piece of canvas and blanket. If you stay for three months we will refund your fare. You will need to fly TAA out of Cloncurry and advise me your date of arrival.'

And so began the adventures and misadventures of young Roland Breckwoldt. It was 1960. He was not yet sixteen, and the unworldly Roland was leaving his home on the semi-agricultural fringes of Sydney to work as a stockman on the vast cattle stations of the Gulf Country of North Queensland.

A more unlikely stockman you would not find. Born in an internment camp in Central Victoria, his family had come to Australia from Germany via Shanghai. But it was out mustering on horseback and living in remote bush camps with characters as eccentric as any in outback Australia that Roland learnt about the world and discovered his place in it.

Full of youthful stumbles and told with great freshness and gentle humour, this beautifully written coming-of-age story is a nostalgic and evocative reminder of a disappearing way of life.

©2022 Roland Breckwoldt (P)2022 W F Howes Cultural & Regional Travel Writing & Commentary Adventure

Critic Reviews

"A beautifully written—yet stunningly different—memoir of a young misfit. Absolutely loved it." (Ray Martin)
All stars
Most relevant  
Full of joy, nostalgia, and creativity. Absolutely a pleasure to hear these stories. Made me feel like I was riding through the stations portrayed.

Outstanding storytelling, immersive and fascinating especially for anyone obsessed with horses.

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Well written. Gives insight on life in the outback. How life gets and takes direction.

Great, just beautiful Australian real life story

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.