Aussie Novel
Conlan's Luck - A Novel of Australia's 'Secret Civil War'
Action and adventure in frontier Australia
A long-distance love that tests loyalty to the limit
A 'secret civil war' that inspires Waltzing Matilda
If you ever wondered about the facts that inspired 'Waltzing Matilda', you'll be intrigued by the story that unfolds in Conlan's Luck, based on the explosive true events of Australia's 'Secret Civil War.'
Across a territory twice as big as Texas, Queensland is aflame with rebellion. Violence erupts as shearers are incited to battle with Squatters by militant union leaders. Their secret agenda is to make Australia into the world's first Socialist Republic.
Caught in the middle are thousands of Free labourers. Matt Conlan is one of them. Conflict with his fiery young wife Tess and her unionist family sets Matt on a search for independence, travelling the bush roads of the Outback. Back in Sydney, Tess ignites a different revolution for her women neighbours.
Here are Cattle Kings and Camel Chieftains; Traders and Tramps; the dread Native Police and soldiers of the famed Light Horse. Matt Conlan's fate is entangled with theirs as he moves towards the ultimate test of his principles. And his courage.
get an Insider Look at a scene from the illustrated book some readers of Conlan's Luck have called: 'the Movie of the Novel'
If you're interested in the weird, wonderful, often hard-to-swallow facts of the Aussie past, you can Join Oz Facts to get on my Free Mailing List
