Once a Jolly Swagman: Large Print Edition

The Lockleys of Parramatta #5

by Sara Powter

1870s Parramatta and Kent

An old black Billy Can contain the secrets of an incredible life

Rick Lockley’s life is seemingly taken from his hands by his family. At seventeen he’s not too keen about being told what to do so he runs away and becomes a swagman.

Years pass, still heart sore he returns home, arriving wiser, engaged and broke. He has collected some valuable friends, including Jack, a jolly swagman. Rick knows little about the old man who protected him during his years on the road. He understands Jack has secrets, but Rick trusts him. The old man comes to live with Rick and his new wife, and some of his story unfolds. On his death Jack leaves Rick, his precious Billy Can, the contents reveal Jack’s identity. Stunned, Rick finds he must travel to England to finalise Jack’s wishes. There he uncovers Jack’s life of love, betrayal and a link to his own family. Rick finds there is much more to learn about this enigmatic man.

396 pages, Paperback

Published October 31, 2023

About the author

Sara was born on the NSW Central Coast. Her childhood was spent with her parents, mainly travelling up and down the East Coast of Australia, fishing, shell collecting and doing some of her education by Correspondence Schooling. With a passion for science, she worked for the Department of Agriculture as a Scientific Assistant in the Entomology Department. She married Stephen soon after leaving there, and they spent 30 years in Ministry in the Newcastle Anglican Diocese in NSW, only retiring at the end of 2020. When 'Covid 19' hit, time was available to pen some of the stories she'd wanted to write for some time. Within twelve months, eight stories were finished, and ideas for more were on the way. These stem from her passion for Colonial Australia, her convict Ancestors and the remarkable history of the amazing country, Australia! Sara wrote these as she wished to finish one of her mother's unfinished manuscripts.
The series prequel, "Dancing to her Own Tune", is now completed and ties in Sheila Hunter's Australian Trilogy with Sara's Lockley series.
Sara is currently working on her 13th story, but... Watch for more!
Cover Paintings are mostly by Joseph Lycett, an Early Colonial artist
(NB Sheila Hunter is Sara's mother)


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Reviews

[Lee Buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

These Lockley's 3rd generation in Australia continue to grow and improve the colony in more ways than one. Here is Rick who doesn't want to follow in the family business but prefers to find his own way for a time. The caring considerate upbringing he's had still goes with him on his travels. He finds a friend along the way and they both seem to save each other often over the years. A story to inspire that not all humans are self involved and up to no good. I loved the development of the relationship of the main characters regardless of their differences. A beautiful story with much fun and adventure along the way as always. Read this series, it's a must.

[Sara Powter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The next generation of the Lockley family