The Loaded Dog

Today Henry Lawson's writings are broadly known in Australia. He is one of the great 'bush poets and writers'. Australia was in Lawson's early times, a group of British colonies. Many Australians were British and did not identify with the emerging unique character of Australian people. The colonialists wrote in terms of a colony of the motherland. This perspective dominated the growing middle and upper classes in Australia. Lawson's writings were about the people and the conditions in Sydney, on the goldfields and on farms. It was the formative period of an Australian nationalist sentiment. This led directly to the Federation and the forming of labour movements that sought better conditions for working people. These early foundations that saw the new country and conceded improvements to workers led to Australia becoming a united, fair and prosperous nation. Lawson's life was tragic from start to end. He had a dysfunctional and deprived childhood on the NSW's goldfields. This was followed by a continual search for stability in work and love. He was a chronic alcoholic and died early from associated afflictions. Lawson like the society of that time, did not look beyond the hills of gold diggings, to see the suffering of the Indigenous peoples! The readings of Lawson's works offer many opportunities for historical perspectives and subsequent discussions.

This book has brilliant illustrations done in a traditional style. The story has been cleverly adapted by Rob Watts for a low-literacy level.

Suitable for primary and secondary students.