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Chapter 1 My Walkabout Begins (1)
EPISODE NOTES: Chapter 1 – Part 1: My Walkabout Begins
In this powerful opening to Dreamtime Cowboy, Francis Firebrace shares the very first story of his life — one he does not remember himself, but one passed to him by his parents. It’s the story of a family on the run: a white mother, an Aboriginal father, and a baby in her arms, fleeing into the bush under cover of night in a horse-drawn sulky.
Set in 1936 in the town of Chiltern, northeast of Melbourne, this episode introduces listeners to the stark racial divisions of early 20th-century Australia. We learn how Francis' parents’ love defied the unspoken laws of the time — and how that love would make them outcasts. Through vivid description and historical reflection, Francis lays the groundwork for the journey ahead: one shaped by racism, survival, family, and ultimately, the search for belonging.
This is not only the beginning of Francis’ story, but the start of a lifelong walkabout — one that continues to speak to the heart of Australia today.
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By The life and legacy of Aboriginal storyteller Francis Firebrace — told by his biographer, Adrian Beckingham.EPISODE NOTES: Chapter 1 – Part 1: My Walkabout Begins
In this powerful opening to Dreamtime Cowboy, Francis Firebrace shares the very first story of his life — one he does not remember himself, but one passed to him by his parents. It’s the story of a family on the run: a white mother, an Aboriginal father, and a baby in her arms, fleeing into the bush under cover of night in a horse-drawn sulky.
Set in 1936 in the town of Chiltern, northeast of Melbourne, this episode introduces listeners to the stark racial divisions of early 20th-century Australia. We learn how Francis' parents’ love defied the unspoken laws of the time — and how that love would make them outcasts. Through vivid description and historical reflection, Francis lays the groundwork for the journey ahead: one shaped by racism, survival, family, and ultimately, the search for belonging.
This is not only the beginning of Francis’ story, but the start of a lifelong walkabout — one that continues to speak to the heart of Australia today.