From the earliest days of the Swan River Colony on the western coast of Australia, the settlement depended for its survival and progress on individuals of character, courage and compassion. Prominent among these from the beginning have been the Wittenoom family. Nearly two centuries have passed since a widowed young clergyman, John Burdett Wittenoom, stepped ashore. The book traces the fortunes of the chaplain's descendants from his politician grandson Edward, his brother Frank, explorer, pastoralist and world traveller to Edward's cousin Edith Cowan, the first woman to sit in an Australian parliament and his son Charlie, the Mayor of Albany during the depression and war years.--Publisher description.

Making of a Colonial Chaplain -- Building a community -- Respected Pastor -- Second family and Edith Cowan -- Four sons and Aunt Eliza -- Charles's children -- Building a pastoral empire -- Politician Edward and pastoralist Frank -- Gold - mining and politics -- Minister and Mining manager -- Knighthood and a new venture -- War and its repercussions -- Change, continuity and the end of an era -- Charlie from Malvern to Mayor -- MLC and Mayor again: Depression and War -- Transition to peace and the postwar years.

Includes index. Bibliography: p. 394-399.