Showing results by author "Thea Astley" in All Categories

One family traced from the 1860s to the 1980s, beginning with Cornelius Laffey, an Irish-born journalist. Wresting his kin from the easy living of 19th century Sydney, he takes them to northern Queensland where thousands of hopefuls are digging for gold in the mud. The family confronts the horror of aboriginal dispossession, and Cornelius is sacked for reporting the slaughter. The cycles of generations turn, one over the other.

In her flat above Drylands' newsagency, Janet Deakin is writing a book for the world's last reader. Little has changed her in 50 years, except for the coming of cable TV. Loneliness is almost a religion, and still everyone knows your business. But the town is being outmanoeuvered by drought and begins to empty, pouring itself out like water into sand.

Pompous, vain and a self-professed charmer, George Brewster moves from one unfulfilling journalism job to the next, one empty relationship to another, his faithful wife and daughter ever the afterthought. The Well Dressed Explorer is the story of a man of his time, but as a story of toxic workplaces and an Australia where comfort and self-interest breed men like George, it might well feel familiar to a new generation of listeners.

Leverson, the narrator at the centre of these stories, calls himself a "people freak". Seduced by north Queensland's sultry beauty and unique strangeness, he is as fascinated by the invading hordes of misfits from the south as by the old established Queenslanders.

TRGGRD is a free-wheeling, no-holds-barred lively exchange on a particular topic of interest that "triggers" this generation. Hosted by life barkada – Vince, Cheska, Sean, Thea and Jeff. Produced by ATM (Adventure.Taste.Moments)