The Hunter

by Scott Bevan

"When I traced my finger along the squiggly line on the map, I had been imagining more than a journey down the river, from the source to the mouth. This was to be a journey into the soul, to help me understand who we Hunter people are, and how, like the rocks in the current, the river has shaped us." 'Bevan writes with an easy, informative style and mixes an entertaining brew by combining well-researched history, reminiscences (he has previously rowed more than 300 kilometres of the Hunter), chats with those he meets on the way and thoughtful, evocative descriptions of the landscape.' - Bruce Elder, Sydney Morning Herald After navigating Russia, ABC journalist Scott Bevan decided to come home - via the river which ran through his childhood, the Hunter. In his curiously named kayak, Pulbah Raider, Scott sets out to paddle the river's length, from near the headwaters high in the Barrington tops hundreds of kilometres to the Pacific Ocean at Newcastle. the river carries him through time, connecting him to the people who live and work on its banks, some doing it tough, others enjoying the good life. As he learns, the Hunter is not just a region, it's a place that has helped to shape the nation. From it comes the food and wine many of us consume to the electricity in our homes. the river itself has inspired artists, poets and storytellers. It has helped realise dreams and make fortunes, from mining to farming. And during floods, it has washed away livelihoods - and lives. Now, as the competition for its resources intensifies, the river's health - and the region's lifeblood - are at risk. told with humour and panache, the Hunter takes readers on an engaging ride into the soul of Australia itself.

Genres: Nonfiction, Australia, Travel

395 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2012

About the author

Bevan was born in 1964 and grew up near Merewether in Newcastle.

In 1984 Bevan joined The Newcastle Herald as a cadet journalist. He later worked in commercial radio as a news presenter. After a fifteen month stint in Japan he joined the Nine Network in 1989 as a reporter. He spent time in Perth working for Nine News.

Bevan moved to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 2005, working initially as reporter for the 7.30 Report and a presenter on ABC Local Radio. In 2008 he was posted to Moscow as a correspondent for ABC Television.

In 2010 Bevan returned to Australia to become a presenter on ABC News 24.

Scott lives in Sydney with his wife, Jo, and twin boys, Thomas and William - and his kayak, Pulbah Raider.

Reviews

[Kenno82 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Hunter is intended as a love story to portray the author's affection for the river that he was raised near. Through the story, he also tries to explore people's disconnection with their sense of home as the river and environment changes around them. The story follows his journey as he paddles from town to town talking to landowners and stakeholders along the way. The book is full of local history dating back to the settlement of the Hunter Valley.

I will confess, I've never seen the Hunter River or experienced the towns that sit alongside. I found details of many of the towns and associated issues to be repetitive. The story is bookended by the author's affections and personal connection with the river, but for the time in between he is strangely absent as he tries to remain objective to the views and desires of conflicting stakeholders. I think this book would appeal more to locals with a sense of nostalgia.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice history of the Hunter region, as the author travels along the Hunter River. Starting at the source of the Hunter, Scott kayaks along the river, eventually ending up at the mouth of the Hunter in Newcastle. Significant and not-so-significant towns are mentioned along the way. This would be great for those who live around the Hunter and Newcastle region, full of nostalgia and the current local scene.

[Nicole Naunton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great to read a history of the Hunter river and region.