Banjo Paterson’s People

In 1885 readers of The Bulletin were first presented with the work of a new poet who signed himself simply “the Banjo”.

His was verse about city life and sporting life and bush life but, above all, it was poetry about people, ordinary people. Drovers and drinkers and sportsmen, farmers and punters, and clowns, bushmen newly arrived in the city and English toffs facing life outback. The Banjo was later revealed to be A. B. Paterson and that first audience, over 100 years took his poetry to their hearts. Since then, while the popularity of other balladists’ work may have diminished, Paterson’s place in the affections of his countrymen is as sure as ever, and today the resourceful and defiant people whom he immortalised are seen as symbols of the nation’s character.

Now, in superb oil paintings by the highly successful Australian artist Dorothy Gauvin, Paterson’s people – the Man from Ironbark, Clancy of the Overflow, Saltbush Bill and scores of others – are brought to glowing life. Here, with the verse and prose that were their inspiration, are presented pictures rich in drama, humour and fascinating detail, pictures that capture the characters of a colourful era in Australia’s past with the accuracy of a camera but the wit and warmth of a very human recorder.