Includes bibliographical references and index.
A history of the Loddon River area of Victoria, encompassing both the Aboriginal and white inhabitants. It is a significant contribution to Australian history.
Contents include: Part 1: The effects of colonization upon the Dja Dja Wurrung clan and the environment on the northern plains of Victoria: Chapter 1 – “The old men regularly introduced me to their sons and grandchildren”; Chapter 2 – “What has become of the natives?” Conflict and death – a reality for many Aboriginals; Chapter 3 – “These verdant plains as yet untouched”. The impact of pastoral settlement on the lower Loddon environment; Chapter 4 – From King Girribong to Pastor Doug Nicholls. Five generations of Dja Dja Wurrung.
Part 2: The entry of Europeans into the colony of Port Phillip: Chapter 1 –Europeans enter the lower Loddon lands; Chapter 2 – European settlement of Port Phillip; Chapter 3 – Establishing a run on the lower Loddon plains: 1843 – 1846; Chapter 4 – Duck Swamp Station, Edward Argyle and Abraham Booth; Chapter 5 – Tragowell Station, Abraham Booth and John Holloway; Chapter 6 – The Serpentine and East Loddon runs, John Bear and family; Chapter 7 – Edgar’s Plains / Fernyhurst, Abel Thorpe Edgar’s Plains or Thorpe’s Plains, John Hunter Kerr – Fernyhurst; Chapter 8 – Leaghur Station, the McMillan family; Chapter 9- Boort Station, the Godfrey family.
Part 3: Reprint of extracts taken from the Journal of Frederic Race Godfrey of Boort Station, Loddon River, Victoria, 1849 -1853.